“There is no water damage, Ethan,” I said, my voice quiet and even.

“And I am not going up to your office.”

The two junior associates by the elevator had stopped pretending to look at their phones.

“Clara, stop this,” Ethan hissed, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper.

“You are making a scene. Think about what you are doing to my standing here.”

“I have thought about it very carefully,” I said.

I turned to Arthur, offering him a polite, calm nod.

“It is good to see you, Arthur. I am sorry to bring this to your lobby.”

Arthur looked at me, his eyes filled with a sudden, heavy understanding.

“Clara,” Arthur said softly. “Are you alright?”

“I am perfectly fine,” I replied.

“But my marriage to Ethan is over.”

Ethan’s face went from pale to a dark, angry red.

“Don’t do this here,” he said, his hands clenching into fists at his sides.

“We can talk about this at home. Like adults.”

“There is nothing left to talk about,” I said.

I pulled my phone out again and tapped a pre-written reply to Evelyn Reed’s assistant.