The other woman was ME

TER

orning

ing embers and the slow, rhythmic

mi

thes from the night before. His coat had been folded and draped over t

is before. Not without cont

de her, like a gentle

me in weeks, it didn

-

s in the kitchen, slowly slicing a

k if he coul

nt coffee?

ded. "

red two mugs and handed him one. Their fingers d

quiet sounds like,"

ping slowly. "You have to listen to yourself here.

And what do you hea

h. "Everything I

-

a. The wind whipped through the cypress trees, and Da

drape it a

ady until she ad

the wind. "When I met you, I didn't plan to fall in love. I didn't even think I could.

said. "I wanted to believe in what we were b

osed... I saw it written like a transaction. Something clinic

to me either. But I signed it, Damian. I s

have me without ruining what was left of my reputation. But I rui

o face her

x that. If yo

-

in El

moved wit

tides. The surrogacy scandal was no longer the only headline-now, it was Dami

tle plays for Voss International. He released interv

cts," he told one journalist. "Damian Voss may have had nob

nt announced her departure-"for personal restoration

ply dis

-

he C

night, Damian

d. Because Mia didn

ed the sauce. But she laughed for the first time i

ouch, her feet curled under her, his shoul

king at him. "You sai

slowly. "I

n't enough to

raid. Of losing everything. My name, my em

d n

e lie," he said. "Now

ward him. "An

ry day. Even if we have

ween them. She reached dow

scandal," she said. "Or proof of someone's

e said, leaning forward. "No m

ve a divorce

kno

a company that

n't c

is face. "Do

. "If I have to choose between you and the emp

her eyes. Not fr

ally bei

ally bei

-

Week

ference was

erty. There was no podium lined with branding. No flas

cked. Repor

from the cottage, her hands pre

ed up to the

and betrayal-some of which I am responsible for. I stand here today

ok a

no is not a surrogate. She is not a contract. She

sped s

ionship was not forged through profit. It began in silence

Questions were shouted.

. But necessary. I take full responsibility for the breakdown of that

Paused. Then sp

s truth. And I will accept whatever

-

That

orway when he retur

in her eyes, but

for her.

ow, full of everything they had

homec

-