The Real One

Then I turned to the security officer. “Please escort me to the public lobby. I don’t want to be alone with my husband.”

The officer looked to Gregory. Gregory looked to Nathan. Nathan said nothing.

That silence was the first visible crack in his kingdom.

When we reached the lobby, Emily looked up from the desk, her eyes widening at Nathan following at a distance, his white coat open, his face stripped of warmth.

“Mrs. Pierce?” she asked softly.

“Yes,” I said. “The real one.”