Chapter 6 - THE MARRIAGE THAT WASN'T A REVENGE
When I arrived at Hayes House, Adrian was standing in the garden.
He looked relieved.
I walked toward him.
“I read your letter.”
He lowered his eyes.
“My grandfather kept it.”
“He gave it to me.”
“I know.”
I stopped in front of him.
“You loved me for nine years.”
“Yes.”
“You invested in Ethan's company.”
“Yes.”
“You protected my ownership.”
“I tried.”
“You let me marry another man.”
His jaw tightened.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you chose him.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
He looked at me.
“I chose what I thought love was supposed to look like.”
Adrian said nothing.
“I thought loving someone meant forgiving them indefinitely.”
I looked down at the pocket watch.
“Now I know better.”
He stepped closer.
“Claire, our marriage doesn't have to continue.”
I looked up.
“You want an annulment?”
“I want you free.”
I almost smiled.
“You really don't understand women.”
His eyebrows lifted.
“What?”
“You've spent nine years giving me choices.”
I took another step.
“And now you're trying to give me another.”
He smiled faintly.
“Habit.”
I reached for his hand.
He froze.
“I didn't marry you because Ethan hurt me.”
“I know.”
“I married you because I trust you.”
His expression changed.
“I don't know if I can trust myself to believe that.”
“You should.”
“Why?”
“Because I am telling you.”
We stood there quietly.
Then Charles appeared behind us.
“Finally.”
Adrian groaned.
“Grandfather.”
Charles smiled.
“I've waited nine years for this conversation.”
I laughed.
For the first time all day, genuinely.
Charles looked at me.
“There is something you should know.”
I turned.
“What?”
“The marriage agreement Adrian prepared.”
He handed me a copy.
I opened it.
There were clauses protecting my company.
My inheritance.
My family.
Even my right to terminate the marriage without financial penalty.
But one clause caught my attention.
Neither spouse may interfere with the independent ownership or operation of the other's business.
I looked at Adrian.
“You protected Astra.”
“Of course.”
“You protected my inheritance.”
“Yes.”
“You even protected my right to leave.”
“Yes.”
I looked at him.
“You didn't protect yourself.”
He smiled.
“I had you sign the same agreement.”
I checked.
He was right.
My eyes filled with tears.
“Adrian.”
“I didn't want you trapped.”
I closed the folder.
“I don't feel trapped.”
“Good.”
“I feel safe.”
He looked at me.
That was the first time I saw his eyes shine.
Then my phone buzzed.
Ethan.
A message.
We need to meet. I know who really betrayed you.
I showed Adrian.
He read it.
“Don't go.”
I frowned.
“Why?”
“Because Ethan is scared.”
“So?”
“Scared people don't always tell the truth.”
Another message arrived.
Your father wasn't the only person hiding something. Ask Adrian about the original investment.
I looked at Adrian.
“You knew there was another investor.”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
He hesitated.
“My grandfather.”
“Why?”
“Because he believed Northbridge could become important.”
“Then why did he let Ethan control it?”
Adrian's expression hardened.
“He didn't.”
“What?”
“The shares were placed in a trust.”
“Whose trust?”
Adrian looked at me.
“Yours.”
I stared at him.
“What?”
“The investment was made for you.”
My heart began racing.
“How much?”
Adrian said quietly,
“Twenty-two percent.”
I couldn't speak.
“Then why doesn't my name appear anywhere?”
“Because the trust was never transferred.”
“Why?”
“Someone blocked it.”
“Who?”
Adrian looked toward Charles.
Charles's expression had become serious.
“We believe Ethan's attorney intercepted the transfer.”
My stomach dropped.
“Then Ethan stole more than my original investment.”
“Yes.”
“How much do I actually own?”
Charles answered.
May you like
“Enough to change the future of Northbridge.”
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