“After he bailed on you too,” Jules said.

Vivian crossed her arms, but it was more like she was hugging herself than being standoffish.

“I’m sorry about that,” Jules muttered. “About all of this happening.”

Vivian glared. “You’re sorry? Out of all the people who should be sorry—” She spat out the final word, then turned to gaze off into the distance.

Jules had no idea what to say. None. Even now.

“I should have seen it coming,” Vivian said. “Simon. I should have seen it.”

“You’ve been worrying about other stuff,” Jules said feebly.

“It must have been going on in January, when we had lunch with Vincent and Georg and Helga. Simon told me Delton Wright had a hand in it. It would have been in the works.” She clenched her hands. “And of course they didn’t say anything. Why would they? Just because Simon was my—” She sounded like she was choking when she cut herself off.

Right-hand man. Friend. Whatever you think about a guy who’s been at your side for years. Aloud, Jules asked, “Do you not want me to work for him? Do you want to cut your ties with him completely?”

She had no idea what she’d do if Vivian said yes. She didn’t have any other non-London-based prospects lined up, and she didn’t want Vivian to find her a job. But how could she work somewhere that would make Vivian resent her?

Luckily for them both, Vivian said, “No. Well, I want to, but it wouldn’t be wise. I doubt he’s outlived his usefulness just yet.”

The words would have sent a chill down Jules’s spine, except that Vivian seemed to be trying to convince herself, retreating behind a cold wall of practicality to hide the pain of betrayal.

Vivian kept talking. “He proved that today. At least he’s got a place for you. He knows your worth. And he’s right: it’s time I did something for you.”

Jules sat up and glared. “He said that?”

“He said a lot of things.” Vivian looked more tired than ever. “Things he’s apparently been waiting to say for a long time.”

“Oh God, Vivian.”

She waved her hand. “I can handle it, Julia. I’m still able to look at myself in the mirror, no matter what Simon Carvalho says.”

Jules managed a smile.

“The irony might kill me, though. Telling me I ought to do something to help you when you won’t let me. I wanted to wring his neck.”

Jules stopped smiling. “Um…”

“Is this what I can do?” When Vivian looked into Jules’s eyes, she appeared bewildered. Her eyebrows drew together. “Just turn you over to him and hope for the best?”