y sound was the hum of the air conditioning and

ers. He glanced at the red numbers o

" he

said, her voice rising. "We can offer collateral

back in his chair. "I've had my analysts look at it. Throwin

ntil the new product line launches. Please

w remained set. "I heard. I'm sorry a

aced on his desk. He walked over to t

," she

e through the room, screeching like a dying animal. She wa

dia," he said over the noise. "Everything your

pped inches away, looming over her. He reached out and

the divorce papers today. Right now. And wa

ped. He was bl

hispered, "you'll

aid. "Your father keeps his reputation. Yo

destitute. She would have no way to support this baby. But if she d

he word tasting lik

prised. He let go o

intercom on h

d the but

ionist's voice crackled. "She says it's u

e cold, hard mask dropped, replaced by ge

What's

ozen, listening to the

ay calm. I'm coming. I'm lea

from the back of his chair. He didn't even look a

ront of him. "What about

snarled. "She might

ed. Baby? Alexa was cl

uted, the irony burning her throat. "

a reflex, a desperate atte

his sleeve with pure disgust. He j

aid

ut she was weak from hunger, dizzy from the pregnancy

Her hip caught the sharp co

sharp, tearing sensation ripp

o the floor, curling into a

ered, the words too

back at her, sprawled on the carpet. For

he sn

tic. I am never going to love you, Claudia

he door and

ing in waves. She was terrified to move

ked at her, then at the empty corridor where

t beside her. "Mrs. San

glass of water fr

eeth as she forced herself to sit

to pull herself to her feet. "Tell him I will sign th

slowly. "I'll re

stomach. The sun outside was blinding, but s