Then I got out of the car and walked across the parking lot.He sat in the car and waited.But I didn’t look back. Not this time.Billy and Belle ran to me when I got home. I collected them into my arms and smothered them with kisses.Then I told them to run outside and play.Hazel handed me a cup of tea.“So?” she said, her eyebrows raised.“He embarrassed me,” I sighed, collapsing onto the couch. “He told the media about our personal life. I’m so…so angry. I can’t forgive him for this.”“I understand,” she nodded. “It was quite the production. And it wasn’t fair to you to be put on the spot like that.”We finished our tea and then Hazel went home. I checked my phone and there were five more texts from Johnson. He was really worried.“Trista!” he said as soon as I called. “It’s so good to hear your voice. I’ve been worried sick!”“I know,” I said. His voice was comforting. It helped me relax.“Are you okay? You fainted! I saw it all on the live broadcast.”I assured him I was fine. I

Trista’s POVI dialed the number of the lawyer. I needed some legal advice.Liam had rescheduled the promotional photo shoot with Stevia for the following week. I took this opportunity to withdraw from Liam. To get space between us. And to get my ducks in a row.“Carter and Associates,” a bright voice said.“Um, yes. I’m looking for some legal help,” I told the receptionist. She patched me through to a lovely lawyer. I explained that I was trying to open an office in Starhaven and I had a contract I needed her to look over. She asked me to send it to her office, and assured me she could help.With the help of a real estate agent, I found a beautiful little office space in Starhaven. I was bustling with pride. This is where I was going to work on and launch my own line. The contract with HS had already been written up, and there was nothing that prevented me from starting my own line. That’s what the lawyer confirmed for me. So if I accepted Liam’s offer, I could still work on my own

Trista’s POVOn Monday morning, I stepped into the main hall at HS. Everyone was staring at me, slyly, with side-eyes, but they were staring nonetheless. They whispered after I passed by. Looked like all the juicy gossip from the launch event had spread through the office, like wildfire.I held my head high, though. I’d done nothing wrong. They could talk all they wanted.I arrived at Liam’s office and went straight to his receptionist. I didn’t have an office there, so I had to ask to see him.“Is he expecting you?” she asked.“No,” I answered. After talking with Hazel yesterday afternoon, and then again with Johnson last night, I’d made the firm decision to accept Liam’s offer. I hadn’t scheduled a meeting or anything to let him know, though. I’d decided to just drop in on him and give him the news face to face.“I’ll let him know you’re here, Miss…”“Trista.”At the mention of my name, her face registered recognition. “Yes, of course.” She told me to take a seat. I waited patiently

Trista’s POVMy hands were shaking. I was letting my emotions take over. I didn’t want to let him see me like this, so I steadied my breathing.I stared at Liam. He was quiet. What is thinking, I wondered. After a little bit, he said, in a very quiet voice:“I didn’t know.”“Didn’t know what?” I asked.“You never told me any of this. I had no idea you felt that way. I thought…” he lowered his head. “I thought you liked being a full-time housewife. You never said otherwise.” He fixed his eyes on mine. “I’m sorry, Trista. I really am. For everything.”His eyes were sincere. This time, his apology really hit some. I felt like I’d finally gotten through to him, like FINALLY, after all this time, he understood. I’d given three years of my life to him, to our pack. During that time, I’d put my own dreams on the back burner. I’d put everyone else first.I’d almost given up being a mother!I studied his face. He looked ashamed. This was the apology I’d been waiting for.I’d been afraid of com

Trista’s POVHa! I’d held my own against that smug Carlos. I was really proud of myself. Other than his little hissy fit about the shares, the meeting had gone really well. I walked out of the meeting feeling like I was on cloud nine.But even though I felt a high level of satisfaction, something nagged at me.Lucy. Carlos had mentioned Lucy.How well did he know her? It seemed like maybe they were friendly?It also seemed like Liam and Lucy’s breakup had been bitter…I decided to focus on the positive, and to celebrate with a vanilla latte from the cute little coffee shop across the street. With my coffee in hand, I plunked down at a seat outside and dialed Johnson.It was a habit of mine, I realized. Whenever anything good happened in my life, he was the first person I wanted to share it with. I couldn’t wait to tell him all about the meeting, and the way I’d defended myself against that arrogant executive.But the call didn’t connect.Huh. That was strange. I’d have to try again la