They laughed as my face hit the salad, proud of humiliating me in public—never guessing I already held every secret that would destroy them both tonight.

Dinner moved forward like nothing had happened. Brenda made jokes about “clumsy wives.” Connor kept glancing at me, waiting for me to snap or cry or make a scene—anything he could point to as proof I was unstable. The investors chuckled along, awkward but willing to play along with the boss’s mother.

I ate slowly, calmly, wiping my mouth with a fresh napkin, my composure tighter than it had ever been. Every time Brenda made a jab, every time Connor rolled his eyes at me, I simply nodded or said “You’re right.”

By the main course, they were both relaxed, smug, convinced they’d put me back in my place.

Over steak and lobster, Brenda leaned toward one investor, her voice carrying across the table. “Connor’s been working so hard on Apex—all that time and money, just to make sure everything’s secure for the family. It’s such a shame some people don’t appreciate what he does.”

Connor nodded solemnly. “It’s a heavy load. But I do what I have to.”

I took a slow sip of water. “Funny you say that,” I said, quiet enough only they could hear. “Heavy loads are much easier to carry when you’re not stealing from the people who trust you.”

Connor’s fork clattered against his plate. “What did you just say?”

“Nothing,” I said softly. “Just thinking out loud.”

Brenda’s eyes narrowed, but she forced a laugh. “She’s tired. Long week at her little desk.”

I looked at the diamond bracelet on her wrist—one I’d never seen before, worth easily more than my car. “Pretty,” I said. “New?”