her professional composure wavered.
Not much.
Only enough that Adrian noticed.
“That’s very generous.”
“It isn’t generosity if the compensation should have been higher in the first place.”
She looked at him for several seconds.
Something complicated passed across her face.
Relief, certainly.
But also caution.
Marissa had the expression of someone who had learned not to trust good news until it had actually arrived.
“Thank you, Mr. Whitmore.”
“Adrian.”
She blinked.
“You don’t have to call me Mr. Whitmore every time.”
A tiny smile appeared.
“I think Mrs. Dalton would disagree.”
That made him laugh.
It was the first uncomplicated moment of the morning.
Marissa turned toward the door.
Before she reached it, Adrian spoke again.
“Your husband.”
She stopped.
The room changed immediately.
Adrian regretted the abruptness.
Marissa slowly turned back.
“What about him?”
“I saw his name on your employment information.”
Her expression became guarded.
Adrian leaned
