a long time, the echo of Leo's

ain was so immense, so absolute, tha

over. The des

had been playing d

think. They had attacked my company, my role as a

g. They had ju

d to know exactly what I was up against. Arguing with

ded p

ed late at the office, especially when we were

I would u

house. The drive to the InnovateHer office was surreal. The streets

nancial records he had locked me out of. I would tell him Maya was to have no

building with my keycard. I took th

t on in my old office. The CEO

ices. David's,

ya

y ear against the cool wood of the door. Their voices were

ctive purr I had never heard before. "Once the board officially tr

. "She's more resilient than I thought. The stunt with the kid shou

stunt with the kid. They had planne

ing on Leo. By the time this goes to court, the kid won't even wan

ng a divorce. They were

fingers clumsy with shock. I found the v

them lay out the ent

tion in Delaware. Once we move all of InnovateHer's assets into it, her signature won't mean

n," Maya cooed.

ed to the company's value, I can claim half. But if we play it right, wi

asked. "What happens to t

cruel laug

d a son who hates her. She was useful as a walking ATM

k back into the shadows of the hallway. Th

ing in front of her, his hands on her waist. He leaned in and kissed

a whispered against his lips. "To s

it all," Da

one clutched in my hand, the

to burst through the door and destroy them

I di

on now would be useless. They would deny eve

recording. I

ly what I was go

ore. All the love I ever had for David curdled i

t on me. He didn't

y life, steal my creation, and turn my own c

I was a w

out what happens when