“He gave me twenty-four hours to resign from the board and hand over my voting shares to his coalition.”

“If I don’t, the story will be on the front page of every local paper by tomorrow morning.”

The radiator in the corner of the room hissed, releasing a thin cloud of dry, warm air.

I looked down at our joined hands.

For twelve years, I had kept this secret, living as a shadow in the margins of Daniel’s grand life.

I had accepted the role of the quiet housekeeper just to be near the boys, to watch them grow.

Now, the fragile peace we had built was about to be shattered by a man who saw our lives as nothing but chess pieces.

“What are you going to do?” I asked.

Daniel leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

“If I stay and fight him, the lawyers will get involved.”

“There will be depositions.”

“The press will follow you and the boys everywhere.”

“They will park news vans outside the estate gates.”

“They will take pictures of Lucas and Owen on their way to kindergarten.”