The following months were difficult.
Vivian sent one legal letter questioning the laboratory procedure. Samuel responded with the no-contest clause, and she withdrew the challenge.
Grant stayed with the company and surprised me by treating me respectfully.
Lucas began calling once a week.
Vivian disappeared from our lives.
I did not celebrate that.
Some nights, I stood outside the bedroom Harrison and I had shared, expecting to hear him turning the pages of a newspaper.
I continued working with the hospital foundation.
I attended company meetings with advisors Harrison had selected.
I made mistakes.
I asked questions that irritated executives.
I refused to pretend I understood things I did not.
Whenever someone looked at me as though I were still carrying a tray of champagne, I remembered that Harrison had first noticed me while I was carrying one.
The photograph remained on my bedside table.
Not because I looked beautiful.
