Page 184 of Say My Name

Dominic: Clear my calendar for the week. I’ll be in Colorado.

His reply arrives immediately.

Evan: Already done.

CHAPTER 23

Elena

The Weller project code appears in my inbox less than four minutes after I open my laptop.

I close it again.

The subject line is restricted, but the status confirms what I already know: I have been removed from Project Northstar while legal reviews my disclosure. The preliminary recommendation built from my model remains active without me.

I read the two-sentence notice once. It confirms my removal and says counsel will determine whether further safeguards are required. There is nothing I need to do and no information I am authorized to access.

So much for checking one email.

The cabin goes quiet around me, other than the low hum of the heater and wind sighing through the pines outside the kitchen windows. I arrived late last night, dropped my bags beside the bedroom door, and slept for less than three hours before giving up and making coffee.

Now the late-morning sun is bright across the mountains, my coffee is cold, and I’ve processed absolutely nothing.

I’m supposed to be on personal leave. Maya has everything she needs to handle an emergency, my active projects have been reassigned, and no one at Rowe Holdings expects me to work from a cabin outside Telluride.

That hasn’t stopped me from reaching for my laptop five times.

I carry my mug to the coffeemaker, pour out the cold coffee, and start another cup. The smell fills the kitchen while I stand there with my arms folded over my stomach.

There’s no physical change yet. No proof anyone else could see. I press my hand against the soft cotton of my sweater.

Pregnant.

I’ve known since yesterday morning, but I still can’t make the word settle into anything manageable. Daniel is the CEO of the company Rowe Holdings may acquire, Dominic doesn’t know, and I’m carrying his child.

He doesn’t know that either.

I tried three times to tell him before I left Chicago. Once through a message I deleted. Once when I reached his office and turned my approach into a wave. Once when I stood outside his open door while he was on the phone.

Three chances, and I walked away from every one.

The coffeemaker beeps. I fill my mug and take it to the window.

I rented this place because the listing promised privacy and quiet. I told myself two weeks away would give me enough room to think without seeing Dominic through the glass walls of his office or waiting for Daniel’s name to land in another confidential file.

Except Dominic isn’t contained inside Rowe Holdings.

He’s in the coffee I keep letting go cold because he always replaced mine before I noticed. He’s in the notebook on the kitchen table because I remember the one he carried to every fertility appointment. He’s in the empty space beside me because I know exactly how his body feels there.

Leaving Chicago didn’t leave any of that behind. I have brought my love for him and all the fear attached to it.

My phone starts ringing on the counter.

Olivia.

I let it ring until the screen goes dark.

A text arrives almost immediately.