I was, by his own design, his constant, supportive presence. I was always at the office, dropping off his favorite coffee, organizing meetings, playing the part of the devoted corporate

nal affairs, including hiring. He said he trusted my judgment completely. I revelled in it, be

said. Someone efficient, discreet, and... he paused, his gaze distant, "someone who understands the sacrifices i

I saw hers: Charley Hood. Her resume was unremarkable, just a state college degree, a string of low-level administrative

, the way her hair framed her face. It was an uncanny resemblance to the faded photograph Dax carried

ne who reminds him of his roots, of his mother. Someone who can ground him, remind him of what he' s fighting for." I imagined him fi

ferences thoroughly. I bypassed all the highly qualified candidates, dri

, then flushing. His eyes, usually so controlled, widened with a mixture of shock and fervent recognit

beaming, proud of my intuition. "Alysa, thi

profound, almost reverent look in them. Tears welled in his eyes.

lowered her gaze, a faint blush on her high ch

voice thick with emotion. "Y

nease. I put my hand on Dax's arm. "Oh, darling," I

e into a fierce hug. "Thank you, Alysa," he whispered into my hair.

My silly heart believed I had just given him a piece of his lost past. I

parties. I saw the way Dax's eyes softened when he spoke to her, the way she hung on his every word. I attributed it to respect, t

gh that always reassured me. "More

ed by my own love, my own misguided kindness. I thought I was hel

r's web, lured by the illusion of his gratitude, his need. I had placed the knife

my own downfall. I had gifted my husband his mistress, wrapped in the comforting guise of his lost mother. I had nurtured the sna

im so completely that I had become blind to his true nature. I had curated the per