ng about the man sitting beside her. Within seconds the studio disappeared behind them: the flashing cameras, the reporters, th

ng on her knees, staring through th

going?" she

ce was calm. Almost too calm. "

a penthouse full of memories of a marriage that no longer existed, a place where Derek's clothes sti

want to

sk why. "Somewh

our minutes. That was how long Derek had spoken before ending their marriage. Four mi

their world knew his name - Derek's biggest competitor, the

there,"

window. "At the studio? P

hy

usiness courtesy." He

you c

to see s

ha

rtably honest. "Whether you were the

opped in front of a quiet, elegant hotel - not the kind of place people went

the bar. A waiter brought two drinks; Lena d

said. "Tell me

019. A business conference. We

became

ople who recognized something in each other. He

exactly lik

me abou

ent still.

have proof yet - he was still investigating. Bu

believed the small things mattered,

d you fo

ed me to be available. Your fat

hat was her father. P

efore he n

es

you w

atch

ange chill through he

es

g on television, using her father's connections

y father sa

he most capable person he knew." A pause. "And

rue. She'd spent years making herself smaller - supporting Derek, protecting his im

les," s

n sharpened. "You

r told me t

at was

d at him. "I've

g changed in Callum's expres

nd

ole opportunities. Buried evidence. Covered up a harassment complaint." He

, but she saw confi

ancy wasn'

N

u k

voice lowered. "When Sienna announced it, he lost contro

ening around Sienna's - the ca

t happe

ies to rebuil

e stop

rprised her. "We ma

ghtened her. Instead, for the first time al

laced a folde

is t

dn't touch it. "Wh

iage co

eemed to g

use

access to my resources - my lawyers, my investigators,

nt to m

pora

hy

"And tomorrow morning, when the world sees you standing beside me, h

hey were. But Lena also heard something else - a ch

ract, then at Callum.

me

what happens to them, and when they

't hesitate

the enemy of her husband, the only person w

e the p

nig

. "Before

rek Cole's wife. Now she was something else.