pushed them open. The foyer was exactly as she remembered:

was arranging lilies in a cry

aid. Alexander told me

enter of the room. He

orce, Mother

y to the parlor doors, closing them with a sharp cli

being signed next week. If you leave him now, the Blanchard n

e birth to her. I care about my l

eanor snapped. Go back. Apolog

d, backing away tow

her pocket. A relent

d it out.

d and put i

nder's voice drawled, tinny

pulled her tablet from her b

ach of contract. Mo

ttach

g coffee with a male classmate from college

nt a divorce? Fine. Admit to the affair. Leave wi

d, her voice cracking. T

. They care about headlines. 'Pregnant Caldwel

oubt her own reality, trying to crush he

ath. She forced the t

sty Shaw's payroll records. I know y

e line. Heavy

red, his voice dropping an octave,

eft Anona

company I control, Anona. One pho

ne wen

nd staircase. The phone slipped from her f

in this world who had ever l

exander knew she was actually pregnant-if he k

with anger. She couldn'

everage. Nuc

ed up the stairs, past her old bedroom, to t

dial. Left,

ack laptop. It hadn't be

flickered to life, casti

Blanchard, the troph

s flew across the keyboard, bypassin

e would burn his kingd