“They just dropped the clothing line, Courtney,” the publicist said, her voice loud enough to carry over the low hum of the crowd.

“And the baby food brand just sent a formal termination notice to our office.”

“They can’t do that,” Courtney said, her voice rising to a sharp screech.

“I have a signed contract with them!”

“There is a morality clause,” the publicist replied, not looking back as she walked toward the exit.

“You’re done, Courtney. I’m turning off my phone.”

Courtney looked at the reporters, who were now turning their lenses toward her.

She covered her face with a designer leather handbag, but the flashes caught her tears.

“Get those cameras out of my face!” she screamed, tripping over her own high heels as she backed into a curtain.

No one stopped to help her.

She looked toward Jared as the troopers escorted him past her.

“Jared!” she cried out. “Tell them! Tell them I didn’t know about the hospital!”

Jared did not even turn his head to look at her.

He kept his eyes on the floor, his shoulders slumped as the troopers pushed open the exit doors.