CLAIRE

By evening, the story had spread everywhere. I sat on the couch with my laptop open, watching in real time as articles appeared, as posts multiplied, as my name trended on social media.

Julian was on a call in his room, talking to someone about managing the fallout, but I'd stopped listening to the details an hour ago.nMy phone wouldn't stop buzzing.

Messages from people I hadn't spoken to in years, from customers, from complete strangers, most were supportive, some were curious, a few were cruel.bI'd stopped reading them all individually and just let them pile up.

"You should eat something," Julian said, walking back into the living room....