Lucas read the first line, and the color left his face. Around him, the murmuring stopped. “What is this?” he whispered, but nobody answered. Diane demanded he read it aloud, so he did, his voice thin. “The wedding is canceled. Every contract was mine, and I have ended them all. You asked me never to call you my future husband. I agree. Please read the second page.”

His hands shook as he turned it over. Nina snatched the paper, scanned it, and dropped into her chair. Diane pressed her napkin to her lips. Then the tinted door upstairs opened, and I walked to the railing beside my father. Below us, Lucas looked up, and every investor in the room looked up with him. “Lucas,” my father said calmly, “we need to discuss tomorrow’s board vote.”