She was twenty-three, his former executive assistant, and no longer pretending that their relationship was professional.

Her cream dress was immaculate.

She watched him rather than the judge when the ruling was read.

My attorney leaned toward me and spoke quietly about obtaining the written order, reviewing the findings, and what steps might still be available.

I understood perhaps half of what she said.

“Serena,” she added, “this is not a judgment about your value.”

I nodded without looking at her.

Patrick had spent months making the two things seem identical.