Page 102 of Choosing Hope

My attention returns to Spencer, unsure what else to say.

“Tobias is one of the best footballers I’ve ever seen. Justin from Carlo and my kickboxing gym knows the trainer at Chelsea. He helped to arrange a tryout for Tobias on their youth team.”

Finding a shred of confidence from somewhere, Tobias adds, “I got a call to go back next week.” His chest puffs up with pride.

“Mate. Congratulations, that’s huge!” Spencer exclaims.

Clearly, excited about the boy’s announcement. I notice aside from the initial fist pump, Spencer never touches him. Never pats him on the back or ruffles his hair as I suspect he normally would. I’m intrigued.

As Tobias moves away, Spencer tells him to text our driver, Tony, so that Tony can collect him and take him to the ground.

The two’s interaction shows a friendship and affection I knew nothing about. A weight I didn’t even realize I was carrying lifts, though it leaves me shaken. Spencer’s ties to this place, to these children, run far deeper than I ever imagined. He must have spent more time down here than I previously thought.

Enough, in fact, that he’s cracked through this shy young man’s iron exterior to learn what’s really important to him. The thought makes my heart glow. Perhaps he hasn’t spent every waking moment away from me fucking other women as I’d assumed.

As we leave Tobias, I glance around, pleased to see the event is busy with lots of couples milling around.

Somebody catches Spencer’s eye across the room, and he takes my hand.

“I’d like to introduce you to someone,” he murmurs.

I let him guide me through the room, a quiet sense of pride bubbling inside me to be on his arm.

“Dr. Klein?” he says as a striking woman in her mid-forties turns around, her expression open and composed.

She smiles—first at Spencer, then at me. It’s not a polite smile. It’s warm. Familiar. As though she knows us.

“I’d like you to meet my wife, Sophie.”

Her gaze sharpens slightly, not in judgment but recognition. I reach out to shake her hand, trying not to flinch at the thought of how much this woman knows. About me. About us.

“It’s truly a pleasure to see you, Sophie,” she says sincerely.

“And you, Doctor. Thank you for helping Spencer.”

She chuckles softly, her tone light but her eyes still perceptive. “I think when we’re outside the office, ‘Harriet’ is just fine. Don’t you?”

I nod, smiling, though there’s a knot of uncertainty in my chest. I’m not sure what she sees when she looks at us—but I suspect it’s more than I’d like.

One of the event organizers, Brendon, approaches just as I’m becoming a little unsettled. He apologizes for stealing both Spencer and Harriet away, explaining that it’s time for everyone to take their seats for the presentation.

Spencer mentioned that Brendon had been asking him to do this for years. But until recently, he hadn’t felt comfortable speaking publicly about his involvement—especially not as a sex club owner. He never thought it was appropriate.

Now, he’s less guarded. He’s still private but no longer ashamed. Tonight is the first occasion that Spencer’s agreed to speak, and most people in this room still aren’t aware of his connection to the charity.

Before heading toward the makeshift podium, he leans in and presses a kiss to my cheek, murmuring a quick, “You okay?” The way he checks in with me—so attentive and present—makes me smile.

This is the man I married. And right now, I couldn’t admire him more.

I stand at the rear of the hall, proudly listening to my husband explaining how many families the cause has helped this year, when I sense someone sidle up beside me.

“Mrs. Barton-Jones, how nice to meet you in person.”

The soft, plummy voice whispers, I turn, surprised to see the one woman I hoped never to see again: Kalie.

What the fuck is she doing here?To keep my composure, I plead ignorance.

“I’m terribly sorry, should I know you?” I ask with a false smile.