I still didn’t answer.
Instead, I walked to the window of my office and looked out over downtown Nashville.
For eleven years, I had watched that city grow around me.
I had watched Ryan build his reputation.
I had watched him shake hands with developers, pose beside ribbon-cutting ceremonies, and tell everyone that his business empire was the result of his vision.
People believed him.
I had, too.
At least in the beginning.
But there was something Ryan had never understood.
He knew how to read a balance sheet.
He knew how to negotiate a contract.
He knew how to make people believe he was powerful.
But he had never bothered to understand the woman he married.
And that was about to cost him everything.
My attorney, Daniel Mercer, called.
“Addison?”
“Yes.”
“The closing went through.”
“I know.”
“The buyer transferred the full amount.”
“Good.”
There was a pause.
