Chapter 12
A voice behind me interrupted the moment.
"Enjoying yourself?"
Cassidy.
She stood several feet away in a fitted cream dress, one hand resting lightly against her stomach.
Her expression was pleasant enough to fool someone who didn't know her.
I turned.
"Hello, Cassidy."
She glanced toward the interview room.
"Interesting meeting."
"Work-related."
"Of course."
Her eyes narrowed.
"You've been spending quite a lot of time with Gideon lately."
I said nothing.
Cassidy stepped closer.
"People notice things, Vivian."
"Then they should notice that I'm doing my job."
She smiled.
"Still trying to convince everyone you're important?"
I could feel my pulse in my neck.
She tilted her head.
"I heard the gala dress code was changed."
"It was inappropriate."
"That wasn't your decision."
"No," I said. "It wasn't."
Her smile thinned.
For a moment, the polished communications director disappeared.
I saw the woman who had laughed about my scars behind a half-open door.
"You shouldn't make trouble," she said quietly.
"Is that advice?"
"It's common sense."
She leaned closer.
"Preston has a future to protect. A very important future."
I looked at her hand resting on her abdomen.
She noticed.
Her expression changed.
"How much do you know?"
"Enough."
Cassidy's eyes widened slightly.
Then she recovered.
"Well," she said, lifting her chin, "I suppose that saves everyone an unpleasant conversation."
I stared at her.
"Does it?"
She crossed her arms.
"Preston and I love each other, Vivian. You must have known your marriage wasn't working."
I felt a sharp, incredulous anger.
"My marriage wasn't working because my husband was sleeping with you."
Her cheeks colored.
"That's an ugly way to put it."
"There's no beautiful way to describe betrayal."
For a second, she seemed ready to argue.
Then she smiled again.
"Fine. But you should be realistic. Preston is going to choose his child. And once he becomes a partner, he'll have everything he needs."
I watched her carefully.
There it was again.
The equity stake.
She spoke about it as though it were already money in the bank.
As though my husband had promised her a future built on something he didn't yet own.
"You sound very certain," I said.
"I am."
"Then I hope Preston has explained the agreement to you accurately."
Her smile faltered.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means you should ask him."
I walked away before she could answer.
My legs were trembling.