The air in Andrew's office seemed heavier than usual. The walls, formerly ornamented with strategic charts and projections, now appeared to close in as if the weight of the decisions hovering over us was bearing down on everything. I sat across from Andrew, who had scarcely spoken since I entered the room. His jaw was clenched, his gaze fixed on the computer screen before him, but I knew his thoughts were not on the statistics.
I'd just returned from another round of media appearances, attempting to negotiate the craziness that was my life. The news of my pregnancy spread like wildfire, and each new piece seemed to fuel the fire. I had become a pawn, not just in the media game but also in Andrew's world. And suddenly, I could feel the strings of power tightening around me.
"I do not like this," I muttered, breaking the stillness. My voice was barely audible, but it held all of my doubts. "I do not like where this is going."