PART 6:

It’s complicated, bug. She was quiet. The kind of quiet that was working something through. Do you like her? Yes. Is she nice? He thought about Victoria falling asleep with a report on her chest. Victoria sending him photos of whale exhibits. Victoria sitting in a hospital waiting room with her hands folded in her lap like she was holding herself together by Will alone.

She’s real, he said. She’s a real person. That’s the best thing I can say. Ava turned back to the window. He waited. Okay, she said finally. Okay, I’m not saying it’s fine. I’m saying okay. There’s a difference, he almost smiled. Fair enough. She looked at him one more time, measuring precise. Does she know about mom? Yes, good, Ava said and turned back to the window and that was all.

He called Victoria that night after Ava was asleep. Told her what had happened. She was quiet for a moment. What did you tell her? The truth. As much of it as I could. Another pause. Are you going to tell her the rest of it? Not yet. She’s nine. I need to I need to know what the rest of it looks like first before I ask her to carry any of it.

Victoria didn’t respond immediately. When she did, her voice was careful. I think that’s right. But Ethan, it won’t stay contained. It can’t. The longer we I know. I’m not trying to rush you. I’m trying to I know, Victoria. I know. He leaned his head back. I’m figuring it out. She was quiet for a moment. Then I had dinner with my mother tonight.

He sat up slightly. And she has a name for the man she wants me to marry. Harrison Caldwell III. The way she said it was flat, almost clinical. 44. Old family money, clean reputation. Very good for Sterling Global’s board image. What did you say? Nothing. I let her talk. A pause. I’m 11 weeks pregnant with your child and I sat across from my mother and said nothing.

Victoria, don’t. Her voice tightened. Don’t reassure me. I’m not asking for reassurance. I’m telling you how it is because you deserve to know what’s coming. He was quiet. She’s going to find out, Victoria said. Not from me, but she will. And when she does, she stopped. He could hear her breathing. Controlled, careful.

When she does, she will not accept it. She will act. That’s who she is. She acts. What does acting look like? A long pause. Resources. Victoria said. My mother has very significant resources and she is not above using them. He felt something cold move through him. Are you telling me she’d come after me? I’m telling you, she’d come after anything she could reach. Another pause.

Including your job. He absorbed that. Let it land fully without flinching. Okay, he said. You keep saying that because it keeps being the right answer. He waited a beat. We’re not stopping Victoria. Silence on her end. Long and waited. No, she said finally. We’re not. 3 days later, the second crack appeared. Marcus pulled him aside after a department meeting.

A hand on the arm, the look on his face that said, “This is not casual.” “Somebody’s been asking about you,” Marcus said quietly. Ethan went still. “Who?” “I don’t know exactly, but HR got a call. Someone doing what they called a background verification, employment history, conduct record, financial status.” Marcus looked at him steadily.

Ethan, what’s going on? He held Marcus’s gaze for a moment. How specific was it? Specific enough that it wasn’t random. He thought of Victoria’s mother. Resources. The word came back with weight now. I can’t explain everything right now, Ethan said quietly. But I need you to know whatever they’re looking for. They won’t find it.

I’ve done nothing wrong. I know that. Marcus’s eyes narrowed. Is this about the woman from the gala? Ethan said nothing. God. Ethan. Marcus pressed a hand to the back of his neck. Do you know who she is? Not just the headlines. Do you know what her family is? I know exactly who she is. Then you know what they do to people who Marcus.

His voice was quiet but final. I know. Marcus stared at him. Something resigned moved across his face. You’re in love with her. Ethan didn’t answer, which was its own answer. Okay, Marcus said heavily. Okay. What do you need from me? Just if anything else comes through HR, let me know before it goes further. Done. A pause.

You’re going to tell me everything eventually. Eventually. He called Victoria as soon as he was out of the building. She picked up on the second ring. “Your mother’s already moving,” he said. “A beat.” “Tell me.” He told her. She listened without interrupting the CEO mode, taking in information and processing it in real time.

When he finished, she said, “I’ll handle it, Victoria. Ethan, I will handle it.” Her voice was iron. She is my mother. This is my company and you are. She stopped. Something shifted in her voice, softer underneath. You are not something I’m willing to let her reach. He was quiet for a moment. You can’t fight her and run a company and manage a pregnancy all at the same time.

He said, “Watch me.” He wanted to push back. He could tell it wouldn’t land. So instead, he said, “Let me help. Tell me what you need.” Another one of her long silences. He was learning to read them. This one was her deciding how much to let him in. Come over tonight, she said finally.

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