I don’t know how long I stood there in the driveway, quietly weeping for Lachlan’s trench-deep hurt and the confusion flooding my own bereft heart. But after some time, I became aware of the bitter air against my skin and the golf carts cruising by for their frigid afternoon games. Life carried on as if completely unaffected by the seismic shift in my world.
I had very little figured out when I finally found the energy to return inside.
What I did know was that I would see Lachlan in a few weeks.
But my husband?
I was certain he was gone.
ChapterFifty
OLIVIA
One hourlater the elevator doors of Flair swooshed apart, safely spitting me out to the third floor. My feet ached in my heels and words swirled in a vortex in my head. My blood pumped with nothing but coffee and anger, and anyone who got in my way had better be prepared for a stand-off. I was a hurting person who had hurt someone, a starting player in a chain of back-stabbing that had gone too far.
I’d received so many texts from Celeste and Elton, I was surprised my phone hadn’t combusted.
Lachlan was gone. He’d driven away from his house and from me. I’d stood outside, halfway expecting him to circle the block and return, ready to talk. But that hadn’t happened. And why? Because he still thought I’d betrayed his confidence and shared his biggest secret with my blabbermouth of a boss.
I guess he was right about one thing—I would now reset my life and get back to the Olivia Sutton Life Plan. Lachlan had been a detour I’d never planned on taking, and now that I could steer this life back in the right direction, my internal GPS didn’t want to comply.
“Olivia.” Celeste’s assistant jumped from her desk, wearing joggers and running shoes. “The brand manager meeting started fifteen minutes ago. You’re outrageously late.”
“I’m aware.”
Berta followed me down the hall, as if I were a flight risk. “They’re in the green conference room. It’s National Health and Fitness Day.”
Stupid holidays! “Do you know what day it is for me today, Berta?”
She eyed my windblown hair. “A sleep in late day?”
“A get my heart stomped on and wake up betrayed by my boss day.”
Berta’s short legs struggled to keep up with me. “Sounds about as fun as the rest of them.”
I flung open the conference room door, and the assistant shuffled in behind me, as if anticipating a scene.
“…and that’s how I increased sales by thirty percent last month.” Morgan’s eyes widened as she caught sight of me. “Well, hey, Olivia. Nice of you to join us.”
The room was full, but I only had eyes for Celeste, who stood there at the head of the table, wearing a Dior shift dress that clashed with her guilty expression. “Olivia…do come sit down.”
“I’d rather stand.” On a scale of one to ten, my anxiety registered about a fifteen as I walked toward my boss. “I’d like to talk to you, Celeste.”
“We’re obviously in a staff meeting.” Her fingers clutched at her necklace. “It will have to wait until we’re done.”
“Then I’ll start talking now.” I glanced at my coworkers, who all looked equal parts frightened and enthralled. “I think everyone should hear how you overstepped your bounds with my client, somehow dug up and shared hurtful, private information, and basically punched ethics right in the face.”
Elton picked up his coffee. “I’m all ears.”
“You and I can speak in private,” Celeste said tightly.
“After all I’ve done for you.” That list could provide building materials for at least three more chairs in this biodegradable mess of a space. “I’ve chauffeured your children. I’ve been their part-time nanny and done the work of two brand managers. I’ve given up my nights, my weekends, my family time, and any semblance of a personal life.”
“I do believe I’ve done plenty for you,” Celeste clapped back. “Shall we revisit your last year of college when your university tossed you out?”
“That was seven years ago!” Man, did that feel great to raise my voice at my boss. “My debt is paid. I’ve been more than a good return on your investment. Let’s talk about what happened last night.”
Celeste glared at me over her glasses. “Not here.”
