Page 195 of My Husband’s New Fiancée

She immediately curls up against me without fully waking up.

I grab my tablet and settle beside her.

Around nine o’clock, she finally starts to stir. When she notices me next to her, she moves closer and presses herself against me.

“Are you hungry?” I ask, kissing her hair.

“A little.”

“What are you in the mood for?”

“A pizza with Parma ham, arugula, and a drizzle of olive oil,” she murmurs, still half asleep.

I smile despite myself.

If there’s one thing Valeria knows, it’s what she wants.

Three minutes later, the order is placed. I set the tablet aside before turning back to her.

“Are your migraines getting worse lately?”

“No. Why?”

“You seem more tired than usual. It worries me.”

She turns to face me.

“I am a little tired, that’s true, but it’s nothing serious. Probably a magnesium deficiency. You know I deal with that every winter. And if it’ll reassure you, I already made a doctor’s appointment for next week.”

The explanation makes sense. So why do I feel like she’s hiding something from me?

“Tell me when it is. I’ll come with you.”

She opens her mouth to protest. Then changes her mind.

Good.

Satisfied, I start telling her about my day.

“Now all we can do is wait,” I conclude.

50. One-on-One

Gaspard

Thursday, January 12

After a week of radio silence, Wald finally agreed to meet me in his office in La Défense.

Ten minutes. Not one more.

That’s his way of reminding everyone where they stand in the hierarchy.

And yet, I’ve been working for him for fifteen years.

From the top of one of La Défense’s tallest towers, Wald overlooks Paris like a silent king. I get straight to the point.

I start by briefing him on the companies I monitor for him.