Near Florence, the cabin brightened for landing.
Dakota collected the glasses.
Trinity’s champagne remained untouched.
When Dakota reached for it, Trinity spoke quietly.
“I knew he was married.”
Dakota paused.
“I believed him when he said it was over, but I knew he had not told you everything.
I should have walked away.”
Dakota looked at her.
Trinity’s admission did not erase her choices.
It did, however, separate her from Adam, who had spent the entire flight admitting nothing unless a document forced him to.
“You should have,” Dakota said.
Trinity nodded.
“I am sorry.”
Dakota placed the glass on the cart.
“I cannot decide what your apology is worth today.”
“I understand.”
“But send me the rest.”
“I will.”
Adam heard them.
“There is no rest,” he snapped.
Trinity looked across the aisle.
“There are three hundred and twelve messages, Adam.”
His face went pale again.
As the aircraft descended, he began typing rapidly on his phone.
Dakota assumed he was contacting a lawyer or preparing another explanation.
She learned the truth after landing.
Trinity showed her the message he had just sent.
“Delete our conversations.
Tell Dakota I never promised you anything.
If anyone from the company asks, this was a client trip.”
Trinity had already taken a screenshot.
Adam had created new evidence while trying to destroy the old evidence.
When the aircraft reached the gate, Dakota stood at the front door and thanked passengers as they left.
Some avoided her eyes.
Others gave her small, sympathetic nods.
The woman with the neck pillow squeezed Dakota’s hand and said nothing.
Trinity exited alone.
Adam remained in the doorway.
His jacket was wrinkled now.
The confidence he had carried onto the plane was gone.
“Come to the hotel,” he said.
“We will fix this before anyone else gets involved.”
Dakota held the door open.
“I am already involved.”
“I mean the company.
Our families.
Lawyers.”
“You should have thought about them before booking two tickets.”
His voice dropped.
“You would really ruin my career?”
Dakota met his eyes.
“You used company money.
I did not make that choice for you.”
He stared at her for another second and then stepped onto the jet bridge.
Dakota finished her duties before opening the remaining files.
