"The Elevate Expansion launch is in four days," Samantha said, her voice as steady as the ticking clock on the wall. "Send him an invite. He won't refuse."
Jake sat opposite her in the study, his brow creased in concern. "Sam… bringing Nick and Kate into this—are you sure that's a good idea?"
Samantha's fingers curled around her wine glass. She didn't drink it—just held it, like a weapon waiting to be unsheathed.
"Jake," she said quietly, "you think I don't know what I'm doing?"
"I didn't say that—"
"Do you really expect me to sit back while they live their lives freely? While I sit here, pretending I wasn't left to die in the rain with my unborn child?" Her voice sharpened, eyes flashing with raw pain that hadn't dulled after seven years. "You don't know how that night felt, Jake. You don't know what it's like to lose yourself completely."
Her nails tapped against the glass rhythmically, filling the silence.
