“Don’t worry about the numbers, darling,” I said. “It’s all accounted for. Consider it my birthday gift to you.”

“Excellent.” He patted my uninjured shoulder with a patronizing chuckle. “My parents will be here by six. The CEO, Managing Director Vance, and the rest of the board arrive by seven.

Make sure you hide that hideous cast under something elegant. I don’t want my guests uncomfortable over drinks because you look like a charity case.”

“Of course,” I said. “I’ll wear the black silk gown. It covers everything.”

He left to spend the afternoon at his golf club, sure he’d broken my spirit — never realizing he’d handed me the last thing I needed.

Once the door clicked shut, I opened my laptop. The catering and the cleaners were only the stage. The real main course took a different kind of preparation.