Chapter 16
“You’ve been following him.”
“I’ve been documenting him. There’s a difference.” He tapped one photograph. “This one’s particularly useful. Taken three weeks ago.”
Elena looked closer. Marcus and Veronica at a candlelit table. And on Veronica’s hand, catching the light —
“That’s my grandmother’s ring.”
Her voice came out strange and thin.
“He told me it was stolen. He filed an insurance claim on it.”
“We have the jeweler’s records showing he had it resized.” Rebecca’s smile was predatory. “That’s not just infidelity, Elena. That’s theft of marital property.”
“How did you get all of this?”
“I told you. I have resources.”
Dominic gathered the photographs and slid them back into the folder.
“But here’s what matters. We have enough evidence to destroy Marcus’s reputation and credibility. The question is whether you’re ready for what comes next. Because once we release your statement, there’s no going back. He’ll come at you with everything he has.”
Elena thought about the coat room. About being called a placeholder. About twelve years of disappearing.
“I’m ready.”
“You’re sure? Because Marcus will hire private investigators. He’ll dig into your past looking for anything he can use against you.”
“Let him dig.” Her voice was still. “I’ve done nothing wrong. I’ve been the perfect wife. The perfect prisoner. There’s nothing to find.”
Dominic’s expression shifted into something that looked, for a moment, like respect.
“All right, then.” He stood. “Rebecca — release the statement. Schedule a press conference for tomorrow morning.”
“Tomorrow.” Elena’s stomach dropped. “That’s too soon. I need time to prepare —”
“There is no preparing for this,” Rebecca said gently. “You sit at a table and you read a statement. You don’t take questions. Five minutes and it’s done. And then we file for divorce. Full asset disclosure. Restraining order. The works.”
“We’re asking for half of everything, plus spousal support, plus damages for emotional distress.” Rebecca pulled up more documents. “The Lake Forest house, since it was purchased with marital funds. Compensation for the twelve years you gave up your career and your financial independence.”
“How much are we talking about?”
“Twenty million. Give or take.”
Elena’s head spun. “He’ll never agree to that.”
“He doesn’t have to agree. Illinois is a no-fault divorce state — but we’re documenting fault anyway. Adultery, financial abuse, emotional cruelty.” Rebecca’s eyes gleamed. “By the time we’re done, Marcus will be lucky if he keeps half of what he has. And that’s assuming we don’t find criminal activity in his business dealings.”