“That’s good. Monique clearly has ethical deficiencies.”

Angelica barked out a laugh. “Ethical deficiencies were created by musicians. And actors.”

I turned to face Angelica, meeting her brown eyes behind those no-nonsense black frames. “I’m not coming back to my tour until I’m sure Ella and our daughter are healthy. I don’t know when that’ll be. If you need to sever our relationship, sue me for breach, do it. But I’m not leaving my wife.”

Angelica rolled her eyes and slammed her pen against the notepad. “Get a grip, Simon. We don’t have any plans to cut you from the label. Yet. I’ve spoken with Jon and I’ve already gotten you out of the rest of your concerts for December and the first two weeks of January.”

“I’m not sure—”

Angelica raised her hand. I stopped speaking. “By then, you need to get back on the tour with a new, better team in place. Jon wants photo ops with your family—everyone will eat up the baby bump—and I think that’s a good idea. The first step to fixing a mess that you did in fact participate in.” She tapped her pen on the empty page. “Can you do that?”

“I don’t know. I’ll try.”

“Good enough for now.” Angelica tucked her notepad under her arm. “Don’t screw this up.” She nodded to Marsha before bustling down the hallway, phone already to her ear.

I cradled my head between my hands.

Marsha settled into a chair next to me, her light perfume teasing my nose. Ella didn’t wear perfume. She said it gave her hives. But I’d decided years before she wanted to stake a claim that was different from the persona of her mother. Hence, the lack of perfume and embracement of ripped jeans, cowboy boots, and multiple earrings in just her right ear. Small rebellions that Marsha hated, but proved a necessary point.

Ones Jeremiah would throw at Ella and me soon enough. Maybe Ella was already dealing with them—I didn’t know.

I gritted my teeth. So many regrets.

Fame, for me, hadn’t proved the panacea I’d dreamed.

“I can’t say I approve of these past few weeks,” Marsha began on a choked breath. “Ella called me, you know. When that first photo came out. She was beside herself with worry.”

I waited. No reason to rush her, especially seeing as how she wasn’t angry or accusatory. Yet.

“You hurt my daughter, Simon. I might even say you broke her.” Marsha paused. I glanced over to see her settle her purse in her lap. “I preferred Philip, you know. Over you. Both Dave and I did. Not because I couldn’t see how much Ella loved you—everyone’s always seen that fierceness. The only one she might love more is Jeremiah, but I think even he knows you’re her true love.”