Chapter 11 - THE DIVORCE PAPERS ON THE TABLE
Adrian asked to meet me one final time.
I agreed.
We met in Margaret's office with counsel present.
He looked thinner.
Older.
His confidence had faded.
“Elise.”
“Adrian.”
He sat across from me.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then he said:
“I made mistakes.”
I waited.
“I was under pressure.”
I nodded.
“I know.”
“MorganWell was struggling. I thought if I could close the Vale Harbor deal, everything would work out.”
I looked at him.
“And Celeste?”
He lowered his eyes.
“That was separate.”
I shook my head.
“No, Adrian. It wasn't.”
He looked up.
“You lied to me while pursuing a deal involving my father's company. You used relationships and resources you had no right to use. You treated me like I couldn't understand what was happening.”
He swallowed.
“I know.”
I studied him.
“Do you?”
He looked away.
For the first time, he stopped defending himself.
“I was ashamed,” he whispered.
I felt something tighten in my chest.
He continued.
“I was afraid the company would fail. I was afraid you'd see me as a failure.”
I looked at him.
“I would have helped you face the truth.”
He closed his eyes.
“But you didn't trust me enough to tell me.”
Silence.
He reached for the divorce papers.
“Is there really no chance?”
Tears filled my eyes.
I had loved this man.
I had built a home with him.
I had imagined growing old beside him.
But love couldn't survive indefinitely without honesty.
I shook my head.
“No.”
He signed.
Then looked at me.
“I'm sorry.”
I nodded.
“I believe you.”
His eyes filled.
“But I can't come back.”
When the meeting ended, Adrian stood.
For a moment, I thought he might reach for me.
He didn't.
He simply walked away.
I watched the door close.
Then I cried.
May you like
Not because I'd made the wrong decision.
Because the right decision could still break your heart.
