Page 141 of The Broken Keys

“Hi, Livianna. How are you?” Natalie stands and rushes toward us. “We’ve all been so worried since we heard about your accident. No one was allowed to visit you at the hospital. What was that all about?”

I drop Livianna’s hand and stop walking. “Natalie, Livianna is dealing with…”

Livianna steps toward Natalie. “Hi. I take it your name is Natalie.”

She freezes mid-stride. “Yes, but why are you…?”

She looks to me for an answer to her obvious question.

“Why am I acting like I don’t know you?” Livianna answers for herself. “We’ve kept this out of the press, so could you please play along?”

“What?” Natalie’s eyes flit between us. “What is this about?”

I wait for Livianna. This is her story to tell.

She fidgets with her bag. “I hit my head in the crash. The doctor said I have amnesia.”

“Amnesia?” Natalie’s expression softens. “What exactly does that mean?”

“I can’t remember anything from the time I…” Livianna glances toward the front, her shoulders tense. “Nobody can know. My father says it’s best this way.”

With her brows drawn, Natalie gazes at me. “How do you expect to?—”

“I need you to rearrange my day.” I check the time on my watch. “There’s nothing too pressing.”

“But you’ve put these meetings off once already.” Natalie points to a stack of papers sitting on her desk. “And what about those?”

“Natalie, do what I ask. Tell them I’m dealing with unforeseen circumstances.” I start toward my private office space. “I’m going to help Livianna get organized.”

Natalie releases a disapproving sigh. “Jaxon, I don’t think we should put this off any longer.”

“That’s not what I asked.” I give her a pointed stare. “Now, if you’ll get back to work, I can help Livianna. And the faster I do that, the faster I’ll be able to take care of everything else.”

“Of course.” Natalie smiles at Livianna. “I’m glad you’re okay. I’m sorry about your accident and your injuries. That must be extremely difficult.”

“It is, but everyone has been very helpful.” She faces me. “Jaxon, if this is too much trouble?—”

“It’s not. I mentored you, and know how important this deal is for you and your company.” I lift my briefcase. “Give me one minute to put this down, then I’ll take you across the hallway and we can get you up to speed.”

“Please, take your time.” She wraps her arms around her waist.

I set my belongings down on my desk and shrug out of my suit jacket, draping it over the back of my chair. When I turn back to Livianna, she’s standing in the doorway, clutching her bag like it’s the only thing keeping her grounded.

“You can come in.” I gesture to the leather chairs across from my desk. “Make yourself comfortable while I make sure my calendar is cleared.”

She steps inside but doesn’t sit. Instead, she wanders over to the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a park across the street, her fingers tracing the edge of the glass.

“I used to come here, didn’t I?” Her voice carries a wistfulness that guts me. “When we worked together.”

“You did.” I loosen my tie, needing to do something with my hands that isn’t pulling her into my arms. “You’d sit right there and go over your business plans with me.”

She glances at the chair, then back at me. “Did we get along, or did I get on your nerves?”

The question is a knife between my ribs.Did we get along?

We were sharing a life together. I was hoping we were going to build a future. Hell, we created a child, and she’s wondering if she bothered me.

“We got along very well.” I keep my tone neutral and professional. “You trusted me with your company’s trajectory, and a lot more.”