Chapter 12 - THE BRIDE WHO LOST EVERYTHING
Vivien stared at the photograph.
Then at me.
“Roman, I can explain.”
I nodded.
“Please do.”
She swallowed.
“I was worried.”
“About what?”
“Your business.”
I looked at the documents.
“So you broke into my safe?”
She shook her head.
“I didn't break in.”
I almost laughed.
“No. You watched me enter the combination until you knew it.”
Her eyes widened.
I continued.
“You photographed confidential records. You tried to pressure me into signing agreements that would give your father access to my companies.”
Vivien's face hardened.
“You don't understand.”
“Then help me.”
She stepped closer.
“My father is in trouble.”
“I know.”
“He could lose everything.”
I nodded.
“And you decided to save him by taking from me.”
Tears filled her eyes.
“I love you.”
I looked at her.
“Did you ever?”
She began crying.
For a moment, I wanted to believe her.
Three years was a long time to discover you'd been sleeping beside a stranger.
But then I remembered Emma.
Claire.
The threats.
The money offered to make them disappear.
My voice hardened.
“You threatened a single mother and her child.”
Vivien stopped crying.
“I never meant—”
“Don't.”
She stared.
I continued.
“You don't get to call that love.”
Rebecca entered with Detective Hayes.
Vivien looked between us.
“What is this?”
Hayes identified himself and explained that investigators wanted to speak with her about the evidence and reported threats.
Vivien stepped backward.
“You set me up.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
May you like
I looked at the photograph.
“You did this yourself.”
