I could see it all now. Written in the way she held herself. The desperation beneath the professional composure.
This woman ran multimillion-dollar operations. Made decisions that affected thousands of people. Commanded boardrooms full of men twice her age.
But her husband had left her for a 23-year-old and now she couldn't remember the last time someone looked at her with desire instead of pity. I could see the courage it took her to Google Meridian. The shame she felt typing those words. The fear that someone would find out.
I could see the nights she spent reading reviews. Trying to convince herself this was okay. That successful women did this. That she wasn't pathetic for needing this.
I could see her asking her best friend—maybe over wine, maybe crying—if this made her desperate. And her friend saying no, saying she deserved to feel wanted, saying Meridian was discreet and safe and maybe this would help.
