After he left, Marisol sat beside me. For a while, neither of us spoke. Through the wall, the music changed. Ethan Carter’s voice soon filled the ballroom speakers, warm and steady, thanking donors, physicians, families, and staff.
I closed my eyes.
He did not sound angry. He sounded like a man holding a bridge steady while people crossed.
Marisol reached across the table and placed a hand near mine, not on it. “Do you want to tell me what happened tonight?”
I watched her fingers, the tasteful pearl ring, the neat red polish. “Andrew wanted me to quit after the wedding.”
“Quit working for Ethan?”
“Quit working at all. He said his wife shouldn’t be answering another man’s phone.”
Marisol’s mouth tightened.
“I said I wasn’t ready. He said I had embarrassed him by needing permission to remain useful.” I swallowed. “Then he apologized. He always apologizes before the bruise darkens.”
The words came out too plainly. I almost did not recognize my own voice.
Marisol’s eyes shone, but she did not cry. I was grateful. Other people’s tears would have made me responsible for comforting them.
“Do you want to leave him?” she asked.
The question should have been easy.
“Yes,” I whispered. Then, stronger, “Yes.”
Something changed in the room after I said it. Nothing visible, but the air itself seemed to loosen.
Luis knocked once and entered with my purse and phone. “Ms. Monroe, Mr. Carter asked me to bring these. Also, Dr. Vaughn is looking for you.”
My heart slammed.
Marisol stood. “Where is he now?”
“Near the west bar. Smiling, but not happy.”
“That’s his natural habitat,” Marisol muttered.
I almost laughed. The sound startled me.
My phone lit up before Luis reached the door.
Andrew.
I let it ring.
Then came a message.
Where are you?
Another.
Do not embarrass me tonight.
Another.
Ava, answer me.
Marisol glanced at the screen. “You don’t have to respond.”
But I did. Not because I owed Andrew anything, but because silence would bring him searching faster.
I typed slowly.
Helping with a foundation issue. I’ll return soon.
Three dots appeared immediately.
Then: We will talk afterward.
My fingers went cold.
Ethan’s speech continued below. He spoke about children whose lives changed because someone decided their future mattered. His voice did not falter once, but I knew him well enough to hear the restraint beneath every sentence.
Then the ballroom applauded.
Marisol’s headset crackled. She listened, frowning.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Andrew just walked toward the service corridor.”
Luis opened the door. “I’ll stop him.”
“No,” I said.
Both of them looked at me.
