I’d pictured this moment a thousand times, imagining how triumphant I’d feel. But despite all she’d done, I didn’t feel vindication or spite. Only sadness and pity and a deep aversion for the woman who had played me like she had.

After a moment of me standing there like an idiot, her eyes snapped to me. “Would you mind getting the fuck out of my office? It’s bad enough that they can all see. But I can’t do this in front of you.” Her gaze moved back to her hands, which shook gently as she picked up a paperweight and pen holder. “Caroline wants to see you.”

I didn’t move, feeling like I should say something. But I couldn’t apologize, not even offer an empty I’m sorry to fill the dead space between us. I couldn’t wish her good luck, couldn’t provide even the most meaningless of well wishing. I forgave her in that moment, but I wouldn’t put either of us in the position to discuss her absolution.

We’d been humiliated enough as it was.

So I turned and walked away. Felt the eyes on me as I crossed the length of the floor to Caroline’s office. Her assistant said nothing, just gave me a nod and delivered me into Caroline’s hands.

She looked up with a smile as if nothing had happened. “I’ve got to call you back, Patrick. No, no. We’ll get it sorted out. Okay. Buh-bye.” When the phone had been returned to its cradle, she turned her full attention on me. “Please, sit.”

I did as I’d been told, folding my damp hands in my lap, back straight as a ruler.

She smiled, and for the first time, I noted how foxish the expression was on her otherwise temperate face. “I wanted to formally apologize for what happened with the show. When Addison came to me with the idea, I thought it would be excellent for the firm and for you. I had planned on moving Addison up and giving you her job once it was all said and done. What with your being a sympathetic character on the show, I knew you’d end up booked out for a year. But …” A sigh. “Well, things rarely ever go as planned, do they?”

That betrayal rose in me, tightening every muscle with the urge to fight, not fly. Quietly, I answered, “No, I don’t suppose they do.”

Caroline leaned back, that mild, carefree smile still on her traitor face. “Sorina Felix called me yesterday to tell me how disappointed she was in Addison and Natasha. We thought she knew—Natasha assured us she did. We probably should have known not to trust her.” She laughed, a flippant sound. “But she demanded Addison’s job, recommended that you not only take her place, but handle their events from now on, if you want the job.”