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Everett quietly swears next to me. I’m attempting a shrug when Mr. Delancey straightens up and says, “This could be the end of your term as CEO, Laina.”
“It’s not like I wanted this to happen,” I press back with a loud voice. I look at Everett, gesturing to his bandage. “I didn’t purposefully ask Everett to get a knife shoved in his shoulder.”
“That’s not the issue. It’s one thing to have your bodyguard go to the hospital, it’s another to say you’re his wife. That’s the part that is making the most waves. You made a decision in secret that has far more implications than you’re realizing.”
“Like what?” I say, jutting my chin out, shoving my hands under my armpits to hide the shaking. I’m doubling down in all the wrong ways, but I can’t stop. I want to defend Everett and I want to defend our decision, but now it’s looking like Dad is going to be helping clean up my mess, something that only happens in my nightmares.
“Did you sign a prenup?” asks Mr. Delancey.
“No. I trust Everett.”
Mr. Delancey sighs. “Yeah, we’re going to need some lawyers involved. Everett has claim to half of your net worth now, he could wipe out the company if he wanted to.” He looks to Everett. “I’m not saying you’re going to do that, I trust you too. But the board and the company have a right to be worried.”
“How can we reassure them?” I ask, going into business mode. There’s got to be a solution. There’s a fix, we just need to name it and implement it.
“Laina, you have enemies in the business world. I’ve shielded you from a lot, but you should know that making a singular rash choice to marry in secret without any legal protection means you are now vulnerable to all kinds of attacks on your character and your ability to lead a global conglomerate. You are the CEO, you do not get to make choices in the heat of the moment, especially involving yourself with Everett. But since that ship has sailed, you are going to have to deal with the consequences.”
I look over at Everett and he won’t meet my gaze. Instead, he’s counting his fingers against his thumb, his forehead furrowed with worry.
“Is this because he’s my bodyguard?” I ask. “Would it have been different if he was another CEO or, I don’t know, a prince of a small European nation? Is this because he works for me? Is it a power dynamics thing?”
“It is so much more than that,” Mr. Delancey counters. He raises a pointed finger at me and inhales like he’s gearing up for a dressing down.
“Hey, easy on her,” Everett cuts in.
Mr. Delancey shoots him a glance, then deflates. “You know what, Laina, this is a highly emotional time and I’m sure you’re tired. We’ll continue this conversation later today.”
My anger goes through the roof and just as I’m about to tell him off and possibly fire him, a nurse walks in the room and we pause the conversation. The tension in the room hangs heavy as the nurse pokes around Everett’s bandage and checks his temperature and blood pressure.
“You seem to be doing well,” she says in a sweet bedside manner. “And there’s no sign of fever, so I’d say you’ll probably be able to go home soon.”
It’s good news, but I don’t even care, I’m so pissed off. I face towards the door and try to scrub the heat off my cheeks. I’m embarrassed and ashamed.
I pick up Everett’s phone again, scrolling through the headlines. The judgement towards Everett and me is starting to sting now. He doesn’t deserve it. I’m just trying to do the right thing. But there’s no way to correct anyone’s perception of it. For now, perception is reality.
The nurse wraps up and leaves and I’m not sure what to say or where to begin.
“Turn your phone on,” Mr. Delancey says. “I’m going to do some ground work and make a few calls, then I’ll be in touch for your statement. Be prepared.” He leaves, closing the door gently behind him.
Rage and indignation stick in my throat and those are just the surface emotions. Deep down, I’m petrified of losing the influence I have at The Milenna Company. Things could go from bad to worse in hours. Dad could come back to a company that’s tanking, all thanks to me.
Not just that, there are loads of awful things being said about Everett that make me livid.
“Laina,” Everett’s tone is asking me to turn around and look at him. When I do, I keep my gaze on the foot of the bed.
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper.
“Laina, you need to think about what your statement is going to be.”
My eyes snap to his.
“The rest of the world does not care about what you’ve done right or wrong. They don’t care about me, they don’t care about you, they want to turn you into a villain and tear you apart. You need to do what’s right for you.”
“What are you saying?” I ask.
“I don’t need protecting,” Everett says. “I am still leaving. I got the email from my boss that my contract is finalized and signed. So, do what you have to do, say whatever you need to say about me to protect your position.”
“I am not going to throw you under the bus, Everett. Absolutely not,” I say.
