The cool night air spilled in from the open doors. From here, the music was softer, the laughter distant. Eleanor turned to face her husband.
“Richard,” she began, “do you realize how it looked just now? The way you stood with her?”
He raised his brows, a defensive smile tugging at his lips. “Eleanor, you’re imagining things. She’s a colleague, nothing more. This is business.”
Eleanor’s gaze hardened, but her voice remained steady. “Business doesn’t require lingering looks and lowered voices. You’ve built a name for yourself on respect, Richard. Do not forget that respect starts at home.”
He blinked, caught off guard by her tone. For years, Richard had relied on Eleanor’s quiet strength, her ability to make any room warmer, any deal smoother. But rarely had she stood before him like this—unyielding, her voice as clear and sharp as glass.
Eleanor took a slow breath, softening only slightly. “I’ve stood beside you through everything—every late night, every risky decision, every gala where we put on smiles no matter how tired we were. I’ve been your partner in every sense of the word. What I will not be is an accessory to be ignored when it suits you.”
