Carter’s ownership and authorization for this collection were verified before the Aurelia Grand accepted tonight’s launch.
Every agreement for this event bears her approval.”
Aaron’s jaw tightened.
Kylie whispered, “Aaron…”
He pulled his arm away from her without looking.
His humiliation was becoming anger.
That was dangerous for him, because Aaron had always mistaken anger for authority.
“So what?” he said.
“She owns dresses.”
The applause had faded, but everyone was still listening.
Aaron looked around at the guests, searching for somebody willing to share his contempt.
Nobody volunteered.
He tried another direction.
“I’m here for business.
I have a meeting with one of the biggest investors in this city.
Whatever personal game Emily is playing has nothing to do with me.”
I looked at the mall director.
He looked back at me.
Neither of us spoke.
Aaron noticed.
“What?” he demanded.
Kylie’s voice dropped.
“Why are they looking at you like that?”
Before I could answer, movement rippled near the private corridor.
This time Aaron recognized the man entering.
His entire posture changed.
The billionaire investor Aaron had spent months trying to reach stepped into the lobby with two members of his private security team.
Aaron had mentioned him repeatedly during our marriage’s final years, even before he had any realistic chance of meeting him.
Men like that were the summit in Aaron’s imagination: capital, access, influence, rooms that opened before you knocked.
Now one of those men was walking directly toward us.
Aaron recovered instantly.
He buttoned his jacket and stepped forward with both confidence and desperation fighting across his face.
“Sir.
Aaron Maddox.
We’ve exchanged messages through your office.
I’m scheduled to present—”
The investor did not stop.
Aaron’s prepared smile remained in place as the man passed him.
He came to me.
His expression softened.
“You started without me.”
“Only the interesting part,” I said.
His eyes flicked toward the mop, then toward Aaron.
“I heard.”
Aaron turned pale.
He looked at me.
Then at the investor.
Then back at me.
There are moments when a person understands the truth before anyone says it aloud.
I watched that moment happen to my ex-husband.
But he still resisted it.
“No,” he said.
Kylie stared at him.
“What?”
Aaron’s voice lowered.
“No.”
