Page 20 of By the Letter

There was nothing left in me, but I couldn’t stop choking and sputtering. Clara rubbed my back, and Bea tried to soothe me, telling me I’d be okay. It didn’tfeellike I would. My body was entirely outside my control, revolting against the changes happening inside it. The baby was snug and happy, nestled within me, but I was crumbling.

Eventually, the heaving stopped, and Bea and Clara pulled me to my feet and got me cleaned up. Clara got out her emergency kit, adding blush to my sallow cheeks and highlighter to my brows. Bea swiped some of her pink gloss on my lips, and I smoothed my hair back, putting it in a fresh bun.

“You poor thing,” Clara murmured. “You’re really going through it, aren’t you?”

“You should get the medicine Dr. Sharma mentioned.” Bea paced back and forth in front of me, her arms crossed over her chest. “It’s not right for you to be so sick. Someone should fix it.”

I nodded. “I’ll call for the prescription when I have a chance. I really have to get to the office. There’s a meeting on my calendar I shouldn’t miss. As it is, I’m going to be late and give Roman another reason to dislike me.”

Bea stopped pacing to scowl pointedly. “I don’t like that man. I think I need to show up at the office and have a little chat with that ass.”

“I appreciate the support, Beatrice, but it’s fine—I’mfine,” I assured her, though I didn’t feel fine. It was mind-boggling how I could be filled with so much joy while simultaneously feeling like death warmed over, but here I was.

“Call for the prescription ASAP.” Clara looked me over, concern evident in her caring gaze. “I’m really worried about you. You downplayed how sick you’ve been to the doctor.”

“I didn’t mean to. I’ve just been feeling so bad for weeks it’s sort of become my normal,” I explained, receiving startled glares from them both. “I’ll call as soon as the meeting’s over. I promise.”

My friends walked me to my car and hugged me tight before sending me on my way. I really was running late, and I hated that. It wasn’t professional in the least. Even worse, I hadn’t been able to prepare for this meeting since Roman hadn’t informed me what it was for. Hopefully, he’d do all the talking, and I could surreptitiously nibble crackers while I listened.

Traffic was dismal on the way to the Levy building, making me even later. By the time I’d parked and rode the elevator to the tenth floor, I was worried it would be over. I walked down the quiet corridors as quickly as my stomach would allow, which wasn’t very fast, to be honest.

When I finally made it to the conference room, I wasn’t certain I should enter. My forehead was covered in a cold sweat, and I was swaying on my feet. I probably needed to eat something, but I was afraid I’d be back on my knees again if I did.

I just had to get through this meeting, then I’d call Dr. Sharma and head home.

Sucking in a deep breath, I pushed through the door and nearly fell backward. I’d thought this meeting would be with Roman and a few of GoldMed’s executives. Instead, the entire board was sitting around the table, grim expressions on each of their faces. Francesca was in the room too, but she was the farthest thing from grim. A smirk curved her perfect lips as our eyes met.

A powerful sense of foreboding nearly knocked me on my ass, but I pushed past it. I’d handled much worse than a surpriseboard meeting. Steeling my spine, I raised my chin. This would be no problem.

Chapter Nine

Roman

Shira Goldman walked throughthe door of the conference room thirty minutes late. I would have been insulted if her absence hadn’t made conducting this meeting far easier for me and less awkward for the board.

She raised her chin proudly, though I couldn’t help but notice the beads of sweat on her forehead and the greenish tinge to her skin. Something wasn’t right. If I could have delayed today’s event until she was well, I would have, but the wheel had already been set in motion. It was happening.

“Excuse me. I apologize for my lateness. I wasn’t aware the board would be here,” she stated woodenly.

I rose from my seat, noting the men and women around me conveniently making themselves busy by studying the contract I’d presented to them. Cowards.

“You’re right on time, Shira. Don’t bother sitting down. This won’t take long.”

She gripped the back of the chair near her, her knuckles going white. “Okay. Will you tell me what I missed?”

“I will.” Circling the table, I brought her the contract Francesca and I had signed earlier in the week. She took it from me, her brow crinkling as she read it. “As you can see, Francesca sold her shares of GoldMed to me, giving me controlling interest in the company.”

Shira sucked in a sharp breath, her head jerking back. “Oh,” she whispered.

“Since coming to GoldMed two months ago, it’s become clear you and I don’t see eye to eye on the direction it should be going,” I continued, though without the sense of victory I’d expected as reality dawned on Shira. “As the primary owner, I called the board here to vote.”

She swallowed. “Please, just tell me…” she murmured for only me to hear.

“The board came to a unanimous vote. As of today, you are no longer CEO of GoldMed. I’ll be taking over until we can find a permanent replacement.”

I’d bought GoldMed’s debt in order to bring the company back to life to honor Frank Goldman and removing Shira had been my first goal. This was supposed to feel good. Vindication for the way she manipulated herself into this position. For the way she had treated Francesca. For isolating Frank at the end of his life. For driving Frank’s company into the ground.

Instead, it all rang hollow. I wasn’t sure doing it this way had been the right decision. Not when Shira looked like she’d been beaten and dragged through the streets for weeks on end. Notwhen she finally raised her eerie eyes to mine and something deep within me recognized her grief and despair.

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