Chapter 2 - The Morning Adrian Lost Access
Adrian arrived at my condominium before ten.
Security did not let him upstairs.
That was new.
For five years, he entered whenever he wanted.
That morning, he stood in the lobby calling me while cameras recorded everything.
“Isla, tell them I live here.”
“You don’t.”
“We’re married.”
“That is not the same thing.”
“My clothes are upstairs.”
“They’ll be packed.”
He went quiet.
Then his tone changed.
Soft.
Wounded.
The voice he used when aggression failed.
“Last night got out of control.”
“No.”
I said.
“Last night became honest.”
“Bianca shouldn’t have been sitting there.”
“Correct.”
“Mom handled it badly.”
“Correct.”
“And I should have stopped it.”
“Yes.”
A pause.
“But none of that means you destroy our finances.”
I almost laughed.
“Our finances?”
The account he meant was a corporate reserve account belonging to Arden Vale Design Group.
My company.
Founded before I met him.
He had limited signing authority for operational expenses.
Not for financing Bianca’s lifestyle.
Not for Graham’s private debts.
Not for Genevieve’s social-club dues.
“Adrian.”
I said.
“Do you know what a forensic accountant is?”
Silence.
Then breathing.
“Isla.”
“Do you?”
“You’re angry.”
“No.”
I replied.
“I’m organized.”
That frightened him more.
He lowered his voice.
“Whatever you think you found, I can explain.”
“I’m sure you can.”
“Then meet me.”
“No.”
“Please.”
“No.”
His patience snapped.
“You cannot freeze accounts without consulting me.”
“Apparently, I can.”
“We are husband and wife.”
“Not for long.”
The line went silent.
I had never said the word divorce aloud before.
Not once.
Adrian had threatened separation during arguments.
He always waited for me to panic.
I did.
Every time.
That morning, he was the one who panicked.
“Isla.”
He whispered.
“Don’t say things you can’t take back.”
“I’ve spent years taking back things I should have said sooner.”
Then I ended the call.
Five minutes later, Genevieve called.
I let it ring.
Bianca called.
I blocked her.
Then Elodie called.
I answered.
She sounded like she had been crying.
“I’m sorry.”
“You already said that.”
“I didn’t know what Mom planned.”
“I believe you.”
“And the condo.”
I waited.
She swallowed.
“I never asked for it.”
“I know.”
“I thought you offered.”
“I know.”
“Mom announced it months ago.”
“I know.”
Her voice broke.
“Isla, she told everyone the deed was already signed.”
That mattered.
Because Genevieve had been distributing property she did not own with enough confidence to make people believe she had authority.
I asked one question.
“Elodie.”
“Yes?”
May you like
“What else has your mother promised using my name?”
The silence lasted too long.
