's

come to

too calm. I ignored my heart's unpleasant flip once more. Even though he was mak

y partially complete

t to follow him as he lef

k furniture, glass walls that provided a view of the city, and a quie

said, "Please take a seat." But he didn't sit. Rather,

a more reserved tone tha

meeting mine. "I ha

. "A... p

stance relaxed. "A merger agreement is being negotiated. An importan

na?" I echoed, not

emarked, "They think I need t

at is the connection

e leaned forward a little. "I

room. I briefly believe

succeeded, speaking no

months." You'll pretend to be my wife in public, and we'll split up

d at him. I shook my head when it d

e I been s

and paced the space. "My boss is

ss," he resp

ms and looked a

." "No one will detect an ulterior motive because you a

"You beli

, I wouldn't

but I dismissed it. "What makes you think that th

it has to." "I've never failed, and this deal is too signific

I whispered as I co

. "Six months." An ample payment. Sufficient to resol

caught. He

ncial difficulties?" My v

g, he stated, "Enough t

et I had attempted to conceal. Doubt also came up along

ed your charity," and

ance," he called after me. "Consider

our typical coffee shop, Sophia's voice wa

needlessly and mutt

against the law! Most likely. I'm n

I whispered. "I guess

about it?" Her eyes w

t! I told him tha

She lowered her voice and

an. "Avoid usin

gh to cover Nathan's tuiti

phi

to make ends meet. And if all of that were resolved

ands and moaned. "I am u

stances when you must act in your family's and

e shop, I couldn't stop thin

out in front of him at the kit

out raising his gaze

on the counter an

ked up and said

Simply e

exhausted recently. Are you cer

I responded, "Everyt

uck me like a freight train. I held the key to his

ffin's statements, blending them with both Sophia's and my o

carry

d up from his desk. Something flared in

and asked, "

rm tone. "But, I have

to a faint smile. "L

y do things in a professional manner. No per

tion, he respo

you fulfill your promis

ed me, taking a step towa

ime. The choice weighe

sponded at last.

, but his eyes had

a folder to me. "Mrs. Blackwe

going back after the t