For most of my marriage, I’d believed the only way to be heard was to become loud enough to compete with the Mercers.

That day I learned that a quiet statement could stand even when the other person refused to accept it.

PART 18

The independent investigation into Vance’s division lasted longer than the gossip surrounding it.

That was a relief.

Rumors traveled through the company in days, but records took weeks to review, witnesses needed to be interviewed fairly, and outside counsel would not announce conclusions merely to satisfy curiosity.

I saw only the results relevant to my own situation.