Chapter 5
“Because Adrian never intended to marry you.”
Silence.
“What?”
“He intended to get you to the altar.”
“That makes no sense.”
“It does if humiliation was the final pressure point.”
Vincent placed his phone on the table and played a recording.
Adrian’s voice filled the room.
“If she’s publicly rejected, Henry will panic. He’ll sign anything before markets open Monday.”
Charles Vale answered.
“And Elena?”
“She’ll disappear for a week. She always handles embarrassment privately.”
Elena stopped breathing.
Adrian continued.
“By the time she comes back, it’s done.”
The recording ended.
No one spoke.
Elena looked toward the window.
Rain covered Manhattan.
She thought about seven years with Adrian.
Birthdays.
Vacations.
Sunday mornings.
His hand on the small of her back.
The night he proposed.
The way he had kissed her forehead and promised she would never have to doubt him.
All of it collapsed into one ugly truth.
He had not rejected her because he was afraid of marriage.
He had rejected her because humiliating her was useful.
Elena stood.
“Where is he?”
Vincent’s voice was careful.
“Elena.”
“Where is Adrian?”
“Vale headquarters.”
She reached for her coat.
Vincent stepped into her path.
She looked up.
“Move.”
“No.”
Her eyes flashed.
“You have approximately three seconds—”
“You are angry.”
“Brilliant observation.”
“You are also hurt.”
“I’m going anyway.”
“I know.”
That stopped her.
Vincent took her coat from her hands and held it open.
“But you’re not going there crying in a wedding dress or screaming like they expect you to.”
Elena slowly slipped her arms into the sleeves.
Vincent lowered his voice.
“You’re going there with lawyers.”
Samantha stood.
“And evidence,” she said.
For the first time since the cathedral, Elena smiled.
“Good.”
---
Adrian Vale was drinking champagne when Elena walked into his father’s boardroom.
That told her everything she needed to know.
Charles Vale stood near the windows.
Henry Marlowe sat at the table.
Margaret sat beside him.
And Adrian—
Adrian looked almost annoyed to see her.
“Elena.”
She closed the door.
Samantha entered behind her.
Then two corporate attorneys.
Vincent came last.
Adrian’s expression changed.
“What the hell is he doing here?”
Elena placed a folder on the table.
“Saving you from making the mistake of lying to me again.”
Henry stood.
“Elena, please. We can explain.”
“Sit down.”
“Elena—”
“Sit.”
Her father stared at her.
Then sat.
Adrian gave a short laugh.
“This is ridiculous.”