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I send her response to Amelia, grateful to return to the work that I’m supposed to be doing.
Jace leaves for a lunch meeting arranged earlier with two CEOs of other fertility clinics. The office is lonely and quiet without him. I go to the cafeteria for lunch but at the last moment, I decide on a sandwich to carry back to the office. I can’t bear to sit with everyone and have to participate in a discussion about the couple suing a fertility clinic.
In any other circumstance, I would be interested but because of my guilt, it feels like too much work. I want to hide out in my office until the whole thing blows over. Maybe it’s because I know that in a few weeks, I’ll be the subject of the conversations.
Did you suspect that she was an undercover reporter?
She seemed so sincere.
I almost hate myself but then I remind myself for the umpteenth time that undercover work is important for the benefit of society.
The phone is ringing when I sit at my desk again. It must be important if the switch board put it through.
“Hi, Olivia,” Sarah says when I pick up the phone. “I’ve been worried sick about you and how you’re coping with the scandal. I know how crazy it gets in the office when something like this happens.”
“Hi, Sarah. It is crazy. The phones have been ringing endlessly.” It feels so good to speak to someone who understands the situation.
“Do you want me to come in? I can get my mom to watch the baby for a few hours.”
“Oh God no. I’m okay and J—Mr. Anderson is sure that by tomorrow the press will have found out which fertility clinic it is and they’ll leave us alone.”
“If you’re sure,” Sarah says. She really is a wonderful person.
Nausea rises in my throat as I imagined how horrified and upset she will be when she finds out that I was an undercover writer. She’ll blame herself for being the one who brought me to Jace’s attention. Pain spreads across my chest and I momentarily close my eyes.
“I’m sure,” I manage to say and after asking about the baby, we say goodbye.
I focus on work and only look up at the sound of heavy footsteps. I look up with a smile, expecting to see Jace. My smile falters when Dylan walks in.
“Hi,” he says with a warm friendly smile.
“Hi.” I’m nervous and I can’t explain why.
“Jace in?” Dylan asks, moving toward Jace’s door.
“No, he left for a lunch meeting,” I tell Dylan. “It’s taken longer than he thought it would. Do you want me to call him and find out how long he’ll be?”
“No, it can wait until he gets back.” Dylan moves closer. “Right in the center of the storm, aren’t you?” He doesn’t wait for an answer before he continues talking. “It’s a good thing that you said no if you weren’t comfortable being on TV.” He laughs. “I don’t know many women who would say no to the spotlight.”
I shrug not knowing if that makes me suspicious or admirable. “I hope I didn’t let Jace down.”
Dylan shakes his head. “It doesn’t matter. What is important is that you didn’t do something that you weren’t comfortable doing.”
“Thanks,” I mumble unable to embrace the compliment.
“Don’t worry,” Dylan continues. “This will blow over and life will go back to normal. It always does.”
My life will never go back to normal. Not when I leave the clinic and Jace’s life. “I’m sure it will.”
He leaves soon after. Amelia texts me an hour later.
Amelia: Come to the office at six. It’s very important. #exciting.
I frown. Whatever it is, it must be huge to get Amelia so excited. A feeling of dread settles in my stomach.
Jace comes back from his meeting looking even more stressed but I don’t ask him what the matter is. I don’t feel like I have the right to anymore. Maybe I’m also starting to withdraw unconsciously, knowing our time together is coming to a close.
Chapter 29: Olivia
