Emily Blair's thoughts were a tangled mess, caught somewhere between

resentment and something softer she couldn't quite name. She closed her eyes, took a long, steady breath, and let it out, trying to clear her head.

No matter what had happened, she didn't want anything bad to happen to Andrew Lane because of her.

Elizabeth Wilson was standing nearby, her gaze full of concern and a hint of something Emily couldn't read. She seemed to understand just how twisted up Emily felt. Anyone in her shoes would be struggling to make sense of it all.

Emily glanced back at Andrew, just once more, before forcing herself to turn away.

Then someone called out behind her.

"Ms. Blair?"

She turned and saw a young man in a crisp suit and glasses. She recognized him as Andrew Lane's assistant, though she only remembered seeing him after she'd left Riven. He must have started around then.

With Andrew stuck in the ICU, Emily just blurted, "Has his work been affected?"

The assistant paused, then said quietly, “There wasn't much business for him here. Everything's been handled. He was supposed to go back to Riven a few days ago."

Emily caught something in his voice and eyes, but she didn't say anything.

He hesitated, looking like he wanted her to ask more, but when she kept quiet, he finally went on. "Ms. Blair, a few years ago, Mr. Lane replaced all his secretaries and assistants."

She stayed silent.

He hesitated again, then looked past her at Andrew through the glass. After a moment, he said, "I heard some of the old assistants weren't very nice to you. Is that true?"

Emily's voice cooled. "What exactly are you trying to say for him?"

He dropped his voice even lower. “Most people don't know, but I've worked with Mr. Lane for five years now. He and his ex-wife... it wasn't a real marriage. They were more like roommates, just together for appearances. They never crossed any lines. The things he did... it was only because Ms. Austin insisted. And, well, I once saw a photo in his wallet by accident. It was a picture of you."

Emily's expression hardened. "So what? Am I supposed to be touched?"

The assistant looked startled. He glanced at her, hesitated, then continued, "If nothing had happened to Ms. Austin, Mr. Lane would have divorced her anyway. The agreement was drawn up by his lawyer, and he already signed it. He only delayed things because she ran into trouble, and he didn't want to make it worse for her."

"Ms. Blair, you don't have to believe me, but I promise you, there was never anything between him and Ms. Austin."

He watched her closely, waiting for any kind of reaction.

Emily's face stayed cold and unreadable.

He let out a shaky breath. "Sorry if I'm talking too much. I just... I couldn't stand watching Mr. Lane these past few weeks. I wanted to say something for him. I don't know what happened between you two, but I can tell he regrets it. I've seen him looking at your photo more than once."

"This trip to the capital... he didn't really have to come himself. He cleared his schedule and flew over as soon as he could. I don't think it was for work. I think it was for you."

"He even had me reach out to a foreign jewelry designer to make that diamond ring you sent back. After you returned it, he had the designer make a few more, hoping you'd find one you liked..."