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Chapter 9

Claire slipped in with her practiced timid act: “There’s an urgent document from Finance that needs your signature.”

Nathan’s jaw tightened. Dead silence.

“Since when does Operations handle Finance paperwork?” I took a deliberate bite of the perfectly peeled apple.

Claire glanced at Nathan, her voice dripping vulnerability. “I’m leaving the company soon. Just helping out while 1 wrap things up.”

“Leaving?” I turned to Nathan. “Your assistant’s quitting?”

Nathan methodically wiped his hands with a Kleenex, looking almost amused. “I’m running a Fortune 500 company. You think I track every HR detail?”

Claire’s lashes fluttered, tears welling perfectly. “Mrs. Pierce, I know this isn’t appropriate, but Cooper’s father wants

us to relocate to London-”

“That’s enough.” Nathan cut her off, standing. “My wife needs rest. We’ll handle this outside.”

A minute after they left, I was out of bed.

Around the corner by the service elevator, I caught Claire’s tearful performance:

“Cooper hasn’t seen you in a month. He keeps asking why Daddy won’t come home.”

“I agreed to London. Just give him one birthday dinner. Our son’s never even gotten a hug from his father.”

“Don’t we deserve a proper goodbye? Nathan…”

She looked up at him, the picture of helpless devotion in her Ann Taylor suit.

stood there like a Brioni–clad

he was all smiles

angel you’ll be home in two days.

“Yes. I

needs some attention. I’ll stop by the office this afternoon. Won’t be

his eyes. “How

already?” His practiced smile.

“Back by seven.”

Chapter 9

I closed

my eyes. “Perfect.”

PM. I signed my

stunned. “Your devoted husband isn’t here?”

manage

pulled up to her Greenwich community.

guard, same story about visiting a friend.

buzzing with Nathan’s text: “What would you like for dinner from Jean–Georges,

iPhone and punched in the code.

Click.

cake from Magnolia, Claire playing doting mom, Nathan on

phone.

sounds perfect.”

The singing stopped.

cracking her Stepford wife mask.

froze, Hermès tie suddenly too

my party?” Cooper beamed,

smiled gently. “Yes, sweetheart.

“Thank you!”

I talk to

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