"Back already?"


    When Reese walked into the R&Db, Matthew got up and handed her a folder.


    "Homnd Security caught a guy at the airportst night. He had your fake data on him.


    "This is the statement from his overnight interrogation. Take a look."


    Reese took the folder, flipping through the pages quickly. A hint of sarcasm yed at her mouth. "So the mastermind is someone high up at Ratcliff Global? Interesting. I wonder if Sebastian has any idea Leslie''s trying to set him up."


    Matthew caught the spark in her eyes, a sh of admiration passing over his own. "Not sure if he''s trying to protect Leslie or if there''s something else going on. But he denied Leslie knew anything and insisted he was just following orders from Ratcliff''s execs."


    "Did anyone tell Sebastian yet?”


    Reese nced up, meeting Matthew''s gaze. Her cheeks warmed and she looked away.


    She couldn''t help but wonder how Sebastian would react when he realized Leslie''s people had thrown him under the bus.


    "Homnd Security went over first thing this morning. We''re just waiting for news now."


    Matthew didn''t mention her awkwardness. Instead, he reached for an invitation on his desk. "By the way, there''s an international tech conference tomorrow morning, hosted by the European Chamber of Commerce. Lots of industry heavyweights and investors will be there. I''d like you toe with me."


    Reese hesitated. "Me? I don''t really know much about international tech partnerships. I''d hate to slow you down."


    "No worries." Matthew stepped closer and ced the invitation in her hand. "I''ll be there. This conference has a lot of investors interested inpanies going through digital transformations.


    "I heard yourpany''s been tight on fundstely. It wouldn''t hurt to check it out."


    A wave of warmth washed over Reese. She hadn''t expected Matthew to think about her problems too.


    "Thank you. Really."


    Matthew''s smile grew. “It''s settled then. I''ll pick you up at nine outside your building. Don''t stay upte reading reports tonight-get some sleep."


    At that same moment, up in the penthouse of Iron Financial.


    Tara had juste back from a prenatal checkup, the sharp scent of antiseptic


    still clinging to her skin and even coating her tongue with bitterness.


    "The child has XYY syndrome. My advice is to make a decision soon," the doctor had said. "If you wait much longer terminating wilbbe harder on your body


    She''d already decided she couldn''t keep the baby, but the words still stung.


    She made a cup of coffee and started toward Zach''s office, hoping to bring him the drink and maybe see where his head was at.


    "Reese is going to the conference tomorrow?"


    She stopped in her tracks. Zach''s voice came through the slightly open door, bright with excitement.


    She hadn''t seen him this happy in ages. The way he talked about Reese now was worlds apart from how he''d acted after justing


    back to the country a few months ago.


    MS


    "Yes, Mr. Wiles. Ms. Meyer''s name is on the guest list," his assistant replied, polite


    as always.


    "Move all my meetings tomorrow.


    have to be there. And get that navy suit I had tailoredst month ready. Order a bouquet of white tulips and have them delivered to the venue."


    Tara stood frozen outside the door, feeling like all the blood in her body had turned to ice.


    White tulips were Reese''s favorite. He still remembered details like that.


    But he''d forgotten today was her prenatal appointment.


    She rested a hand on her barely-there baby bump, where a life was growing that would never see the world healthy. There was nothing but bitterness in her chest.


    She''d been drawn to Zach since her very first crush, back when Reese was always by his side.


    No one ever knew how much it hurt, listening to Reese talk about every little moment with him.