Her fingers curled inward, nails biting into her palms. Something tightened around her heart like a wire, and a suffocating pressure flooded her chest.
That thesis was the culmination of years of work with her advisor. It was their shared achievement.
She'd never guarded herself against Bryce. She never imagined he'd turn it into a weapon.
Whatever warmth remained in Rosamond's heart went cold.
She'd misjudged him. She could accept that now.
When she looked up again, her eyes were empty. Completely, utterly empty.
"Fine. I'll hand the resources over to Olympia. But I want to watch you delete every copy of that thesis with my own eyes. And you'll sign an agreement guaranteeing you'll never leak it."
Bryce shrugged, unbothered.
"Sure. No problem."
"I'm not that low."
He studied Rosamond's composed expression, and a flicker of unease stirred in his gut for no reason he could name.
She wouldn't divorce him over this, would she?
The thought lasted barely a second before he dismissed it entirely.
She loved him too much. She'd never leave.
He'd just have to sweet-talk her afterward. That would fix things.
With that settled in his mind, his gaze toward Rosamond softened a fraction.