Hailey's POV
The week passed in aching silence.
Maxwell and I moved through the penthouse like ghosts. He'd take Gio to school while I buried myself in board preparation. I'd handle bedtime while he worked late in his office. We existed in separate orbits, carefully avoiding collision.
His ultimatum echoed constantly.
I hadn't decided. I couldn't decide. I was too terrified of making the wrong decision.
Now I stood outside the boardroom, Christina beside me, watching board members file in with expressions ranging from sympathetic to calculating.
"Ready?" Christina asked.
I wasn't. But I nodded anyway.
"Stay calm." She said quietly. "Don't let Denis provoke you. Stick to facts."
"I know."
"Hailey." She touched my arm. "You've earned this. Don't forget that."
I walked into the bo
