Chapter 12 - Adrian Asked Me to Save Him
Adrian requested a private settlement conference.
This time, I agreed.
We met in Marisol’s office.
No Genevieve.
No Graham.
No Bianca.
Just us and our lawyers.
Adrian looked exhausted.
For the first time since I met him, his suit looked too large.
“Isla.”
I waited.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
He looked irritated immediately.
That told me the apology was still about his discomfort.
“For everything.”
“No.”
I said.
“Name it.”
His lawyer shifted.
Adrian looked at the table.
“The affair.”
“The money.”
“The wedding.”
“My mother.”
I waited.
“And?”
His jaw tightened.
“What else do you want?”
“That answer is why we’re here.”
He stared at me.
Then his shoulders dropped.
“I used you.”
There it was.
Not enough.
But finally true.
He continued.
“I told myself it was temporary.”
“I thought if I stabilized Dad’s debts, everything would recover.”
“I thought Bianca could help with Brooks Media.”
“I thought the consulting payments would come back through new business.”
“Did they?”
“No.”
“Did you plan to tell me?”
Eventually.
That word did not need to be spoken.
I saw it on his face.
“When?”
“I don’t know.”
“After my condo?”
He closed his eyes.
“I never wanted them to take it.”
“But you told your father I wouldn’t fight.”
“I was trying to calm him down.”
“You were volunteering my surrender.”
He started crying.
Real tears.
Maybe for the first time.
“I’m going to lose everything.”
I looked at him.
“You already lost me.”
“I know.”
“No.”
I said.
“You still think the company matters more.”
He looked away.
Then he whispered.
“Can you stop the criminal referral?”
There it was.
Not marriage.
Not love.
Survival.
I stood.
“No.”
He looked at me desperately.
“Isla.”
“A smart wife stays silent.”
I said.
“Remember?”
May you like
His face went white.
“I’m not your wife anymore.”
