But hearing it said out loud, in Victoria's own voice, with that much contempt for both of us-
It wasn't grief. It wasn't even anger.
It was just a tired, flat kind of clarity.
He had never wanted me. He had accepted the bond because it gave him a reason to stay close to her. I had been the cover. The excuse. The placeholder.
And I had spent years inside that.
I turned and walked back toward the lounge.
The live singer was already performing when I came back in. The room had shifted into a looser, warmer mood. People were talking over the music, laughing, relaxed.
I was almost back to the table when someone called out.
"Hey, the boss's assistant should sing one!"
A few voices joined in immediately.
Before I could say a word, one of the partners was already laughing and steering m
