Claire and I grew closer. She apologized for believing Sean’s lies, and I forgave her—not because what happened no longer mattered, but because she had finally chosen to face it honestly.
Rachel helped the investigators where she could and eventually found another job. She and I became friends in a way neither of us had expected.
Alex and Nancy separated. He chose to proceed with a divorce, and Nancy cooperated with the financial investigation. He didn’t return to her simply because she was sorry.
One afternoon, about six months after the night of the proposed partner swap, Alex visited me.
He brought a small wooden sign he had made himself.
I read the words and laughed for the first time in days.
NEW BEGINNINGS.
Beneath them, in smaller letters, he had added:
NO HOLDINGS REQUIRED.
“That’s terrible,” I said, laughing.
“I know. I spent three hours making it worse.”
