[Sarah]
*Children complicate things. Theodore’s voice filled his private office at Pierce Technologies, each word precise and measured. Through the floor–to–ceiling windows, Manhattan’s morning light cast long shadows across his desk.
I forced myself to meet his gaze, though my stomach churned with more than just morning sickness. “Are we having a hypothetical discussion about family planning?”
“Consider it a warning.” He tapped his tablet, bringing up photos from last night’s venture capital dinner. My fingers tightened on the armrest of my chair, but I kept my expression neutral. “Your recent behavior suggests desperation.”
“If you mean business networking-
“I mean secret meetings with venture capitalists.” His eyes narrowed. “Drinking water
instead of wine. Leaving before dinner was served.”
My heart pounded against my ribs. Of course he’d had me followed. “I wasn’t aware my beverage choices required your approval.”
“Everything about you requires my approval.” He wheeled his chair around the desk, stopping inches from where I sat. “You’re my wife.”
“On paper.” I stood, needing the psychological advantage of height. “Speaking of which, now that Elizabeth’s health has improved, we should discuss expediting the divorce.”
“Sit down.” When I remained standing, his jaw tightened visibly. “Elizabeth’s recovery will
take time. The family image-”
“The family image,” I echoed, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice. “Does that image include having your wife followed by private investigators?”
“Protection,” he corrected sharply. “Given your recent choices in dinner companions.”
The twins fluttered – too early for true movement, but I felt them all the same. My hand wanted to press against my stomach, to protect our secret, but I forced it to remain at my side. “I don’t need your protection to handle venture capital politics.”
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Chapter 14: Why Did You Lie?
“No?” His voice dropped dangerously low. “You sure?”
Heat flooded my cheeks. “I’m sure. And unlike some people, I don’t use my body to close
business deals.”
Something flickered in Theodore’s expression – anger? Concern? – before his mask slipped back into place. “Your father’s company won’t survive another month without significant
investment.”
“That’s my problem to solve.”
“Everything about you is my problem.” He moved closer, the wheelchair silent on the thick carpet. “Whether you like it or not.”
I stepped back, my heel catching on the plush fibers. “I have a meeting at Sullivan
MedTech.”
“We’re not finished.”
“For now, we are.”
The Sullivan MedTech legal department felt suffocating, its once–familiar walls closing in with each passing minute. Our counsel spread documents across the conference table like a general planning his last stand. I tried to focus on the papers instead of my churning
stomach.
“These are our best options.” He pushed forward a list of potential investors. “Major players in tech and finance. Some have expressed preliminary interest.”
My eyes caught on one name near the top: Pierce Technologies, market cap $100+ billion. The sight of it made my skin crawl. I crossed it off immediately.
“Miss Sullivan…” He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. “Mr. Pierce’s influence-
“Is not an option.” I forced myself to breathe slowly, fighting another wave of nausea. “What about the other venture capital firms?”
“They’ve shown interest, but…” He shuffled papers nervously. “The terms would be…
aggressive.”
I knew what that meant. They’d destroy everything my father had built, strip the company
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for parts before the ink dried on the contracts. The thought made me physically ill – or maybe that was just the twins making their presence known again.
Evening found me at an Upper East Side pharmacy, its discrete entrance glowing softly in the gathering darkness. Inside, classical music played over spotless shelves of luxury healthcare products. The pharmacist’s professional smile never wavered as she retrieved my anti–inflammatory medication.
“However,” she began delicately, “given your condition, I’d recommend-”
“I’m not pregnant,” I said quickly too quickly. The lie tasted bitter on my tongue.
Her smile turned knowing. “Our prenatal vitamin selection is excellent. Very discrete
packaging.”
I left with both medications, the pharmacy bag clutched like evidence of a crime. Every step through the Pierce penthouse lobby felt like walking through quicksand, each
moment bringing me closer to more lies.
Mrs. Thompson appeared near the private elevator, her concerned gaze taking in my pale
face. “Miss Sarah? You’re not looking well. Let me make you some tea-”
“Just tired.” I tried to angle the pharmacy bag away from her view. “I picked up some pain
medication.”
“Of course.” Her eyes lingered on the bag. “Though in your condition-”
“What condition?” Theodore’s voice cut through the lobby like a blade of ice.
My heart stopped. He sat in the main living room doorway, still in his business suit, a half–empty tumbler on the side table beside him. As I watched, his gaze moved from my face to the pharmacy bag, where the edge of a prenatal vitamin box peeked through the tissue paper.
Mrs. Thompson melted away, leaving us alone in the gathering darkness. Outside the windows, Manhattan’s lights began to twinkle like distant stars, indifferent to the storm about to break in this luxury prison of glass and steel.
The twins fluttered again, as if sensing my distress. I’ll protect you, I promised them silently. No matter what happens next.
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Theodore’s eyes never left the pharmacy bag as he set his tumbler down with deliberate precision. The soft clink of crystal against wood seemed to echo in the tense silence.
“Why did you lie?” O
Chapter Comments
Visitor
POST COMMENT
He didn’t want her, so what’s the big deal in letting her deal with her own issues? He already set in motion a divorce, why this sudden concern?
Visitor
Well, married to a cold hearted bastard like him, any smart thinking person would lie to stay clear of him. !!!
