Finally, at dawn, we collapsed on the bed. Exhausted. Spent. Completely wrung out.

"What happens now?" she asked.

"I don't know. Rachel's filing for divorce. The ethics board will investigate. I'll probably lose my license."

"And us?"

I looked at her. This beautiful, impossible girl who'd destroyed my life and made it worth living at the same time.

"If you'll have me," I said. "If you're willing to deal with the fallout. The scandal. The judgment. Then... us."

"Yes." No hesitation. "Yes, I'll have you."

I pulled her close. Kissed her forehead.

"Okay," I said. "Okay."

---

**SIX MONTHS LATER**

The ethics board hearing had been brutal.

They'd reviewed my...