The reporter raised his voice above the music.
“Is this marriage already falling apart?”
Cameras swung towards us.
Richard moved first.
“This is a Foundation gala. Questions should remain focused on the students.”
The journalist kept his microphone raised. “The public has seen repeated tension between Mr Vale and Ms Hayes. Are you denying there is a problem?”
I faced him.
“No.”
Richard’s head turned sharply.
The reporter leaned forward. “No, the marriage isn’t in trouble?”
“No, I’m not answering a question built from photographs and bad manners.”
Laughter scattered through the crowd.
The journalist tried again. “You rejected the Vale name tonight.”
“I corrected my own.”
“Does that suggest distance between you and your husband?”
“It suggests my name is Avalan Hayes.”
Another
