Page 151 of A Convenient Secret

“I guess you’re postponing the trip? What a shame;the change of scenery would help you all. At least the story will die down in the meantime. I suspect Declan is suing everyone.”

“He’s focusing on Zach now.” I evade her question, because if I tell her I’m leaving alone, I may just start crying.

“I’m so glad those kids have you in their lives now.” She takes my hand. I guess I’ll start crying regardless. “Thank God all that dreadful business with Kendra is behind us.”

Behind us? “What do you mean? I didn’t know the hearing had already happened.”

“There was no hearing. I thought Declan told you that he settled out of court. But I guess that was shortly after you started working for him, so he wouldn’t share that.”

“He settled?” I repeat like a parrot, because it doesn’t make sense. Shortly after I started working for him? I think my exhausted mind makes little sense of anything anymore.

“Yes, she gave up her parental rights finally. She was always after his money only. Some women should not be allowed to have children.”

I mumble something unintelligible and leave in a hurry. I can’t handle another goodbye with Zoya. And I need to replay Dorothy’s words to comprehend them.

She lives only three blocks from the penthouse, so Idecide to walk. Why didn’t he tell me Kendra settled? When I told him he couldn’t move to England for work because of the custody battle, he flinched.

I thought it was because he didn’t think of that argument. Was I wrong? Was it because that argument was void?

Did he really settle shortly after I started working for him? Why the marriage then?

All the unanswered questions swirl in my head. There is something that doesn’t add up. But one thing is clear.

Declan kept something from me. Just like I kept something from him. And in light of his secret, his reaction to mine feels like another betrayal.

People keep things to themselves for a reason. What was his reason? It hurts that he would do that.

What hurts even more is that my marriage—however fake—suddenly feels like everything in my life as Liliana Spinelli. My relationship with Declan suddenly feels like that world.

Secrets and lies.

Chapter 30

Lily

Saar

How are you doing, Lily?

Celeste

I heard about Zach. What a nightmare.

Cora

Do you need anything? How is Zach?

Broken wrist. My father had a heart attack.

Saar

Shit. Is he?

He’s in the hospital. I’m leaving today.

Celeste

What about Declan?