“Then I can protect you,” he said simply. “I can protect the boys.”

He reached out and covered my hand with his.

His hand was warm and solid.

“I’m sorry I didn’t see it sooner, Emma,” he said. “I should have known she was behind it.”

“She made it look like you didn’t want me,” I said softly. “She made me believe you were the one who wanted me gone.”

“I never wanted that,” he said.

We sat in silence for a moment, the hum of the refrigerator the only sound in the room.

“I want to be there tomorrow,” I said.

Alexander frowned. “It’s going to be ugly, Emma. The board meeting will be a circus.”

“I don’t care,” I said. “I’ve spent seven years hiding. I’m not hiding in an apartment while you fight for our family.”

He looked at me, searching my face.

Finally, he nodded.

“Okay,” he said. “But you stay in the adjoining executive suite. There is a two-way mirror and an intercom. You can hear everything, but you won’t have to face them directly.”

“That’s enough for me,” I said.