After they were done, Ryan excused himself and told Bella to enjoy the party. He gave my arm a gentle squeeze, the kind he used when he wanted to look like the perfect husband in front of others. His voice was low and calm, warm like it used to be in the early days of our marriage. “I need to go back to the investors now. They have some important questions about the new project timeline and funding. Stay here, Bella. Mix around with the guests, have a drink or two, enjoy yourself. You look beautiful tonight in that dress. I’ll find you later once the main talks are finished.” He smiled at me, the smile that always worked on business partners, then turned and walked away through the crowd.
I watched his back as he moved, shaking hands with a few people on the way, disappearing near the far
