lla's

se he didn't look at me with pity. For the first time in h

eautiful at night from the hotel. How he hated fake small talk at big parties. How I used to love making business plans but never wanted to be in the s

originally," he said, lo

een here for years because of... him." I s

key. "Everyone has a 'him' or 'her' story. The main

think it might be

n your situation would be on the phone crying to friends or planning how to get back at him. But you'

I worked for just got thrown back in my face. Do you ever feel that way? Like

othing. Lots of long nights and hard choices that cost me more than I like to say. But success

messy ideas and making them clear so people would believe in them. It felt creative, like sol

las for the same reason. Everyone smiles and says empty things. 'How's business, Damien?' They don't ca

Central Park, get coffee and write ideas on a napkin. Or stay home with a good book

rts late at night or look over contracts. Sometimes I drive out of the city to think without my phone ringing

That must be really hard. Los

changes you. Makes you colder maybe. Pe

no idea about real pressure. Families make things complicated. They expect you to always be strong

for me. You're not what I expected. The magazines mak

nk with an interesting woman who won't fall apart. That takes strength, Isabella.

I gave six years to someone who promised the world and gave me nothing but pain. I ne

ings. You need stability and a plan. Have you tho

nd my mind keeps replaying the fight. He said I was just support, like I didn't matter. Do yo

ding. You saw the real him tonight. It hurts, but it's better than

ind even though

I felt the tiredne

tanding on shaky legs. The pregnanc

over me. "It's late. My

ally not n

is tone made it clear th

rang. He checked the screen and hi

his face looked even colder. "Plans changed. You'r

k. "Mr. Blackwood

ter: "You look ready to collapse, Isabel

ained to fig

tly touched the small of my back, protective, nothi

phone buzzed again. He read the m

l me something," he said, voice low and serious.

I hadn't mentio

the elevator dinged ope