Chapter 6
The police arrested Grant first.
He was drunk in a private club, telling someone the whole thing had been “hilarious until Elias ruined the ending.”
Someone recorded him.
Rich families always forget servants carry phones.
Malcolm was arrested next when estate security footage confirmed he locked the latch.
Peter tried to fly to Monaco.
He was detained at the airport.
Vivian cried on camera as officers escorted her from her townhouse.
Beatrice turned herself in wearing pearls.
Charles waited.
Men like Charles never run unless they know the ground has truly disappeared.
Adrian came to see me at the trust office that evening.
I almost refused.
Then Elias said, “You should hear him. Not forgive him. Hear him.”
So I did.
Adrian stood in the doorway, looking like a man who had aged ten years in one night.
“I filed a statement,” he said.
“Against your family?”
“Yes.”
I folded my arms.
“Why now?”
“Because I saw the footage.”
“You needed footage?”
He flinched.
“No. I needed courage.”
That answer was too honest to dismiss.
He stepped closer, then stopped.
“I knew my father hated your family. I knew he wanted access to the trust. I knew he wanted me to marry you.”
My throat tightened.
“And you did.”
“I loved you before I knew.”
“How convenient.”
He nodded.
“I deserve that.”
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
His voice broke.
“But I did love you. I still do. And I was too afraid to tell you the whole truth because I knew it would make every part of our marriage look poisoned.”
I looked away.
Because it did.
Every kiss.
Every promise.
Every dinner with his family where I thought I was being judged for being poor.
All poisoned by secrets older than me.
“What did my father do?” I asked.
Adrian hesitated.
“My father says your father stole from him.”
“And you believe him?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I saw what my father is willing to do when he wants something.”
For the first time, I looked at him without only rage.
He whispered, “Let me help you destroy him.”
I answered, “You already helped him get close.”
He lowered his head.
“Yes.”
The truth stood between us.
Ugly.
May you like
Necessary.
Alive.
