“What are you doing here?” I raised the insulated dinner bag in my hand.
“You told me you’d be working late.” “I brought you dinner.” I placed it beside the door.
“Carry on.” I turned toward the elevator. Damian followed me. “We can explain everything.”
“I just watched your assistant sitting on your lap.” “It was an accident.”
“And I saw the necklace.” His expression shifted. “It was a bonus.” I gave a quiet laugh.
“Does Crosswell Global hand out $110,000 bonuses as diamond necklaces?”
Vanessa appeared behind him, quickly fixing her blouse. “Damian and I are only boss and assistant.”
“Is sitting on his lap included in your job responsibilities?” Damian stepped between us.
“That’s enough.” “You have no right to embarrass her.” That hurt more than I expected.
He was still protecting her. I looked at him. “How long?” Neither of them answered.
“Damian.” He finally lowered his eyes. “Two years.” My stomach dropped.
Our daughter, Sophie, had been three when it started. That was also the year Damian convinced me to leave my career at one of New York’s top financial consulting firms.
“I don’t want some nanny raising our daughter,” he had told me. “Stay home with her.
I’ll provide for both of you.” After that, he gave me $1,800 each month to cover groceries, school costs, transportation, clothes, and everything Sophie needed.
