Chapter 10 - THE CONFESSION THAT CAME TOO LATE
Damian told her everything.
Not all at once.
Not easily.
But enough.
He had believed the Ashcroft Foundation held too much money outside his direct control.
He resented the trustees.
He resented the council.
And, increasingly, he resented Vivien.
Not because she had mistreated him.
Because people listened to her.
Because they trusted her.
Because she could walk into a room and resolve a conflict without raising her voice.
Damian had spent his life demanding respect.
Vivien had earned it.
He hated the difference.
Kessler recognized that resentment.
He convinced Damian that restructuring the foundation would strengthen the Viscari position.
Seline helped arrange the transactions.
Damian signed documents he didn't fully understand.
Then signed more.
And when questions arose, he concealed them.
Vivien listened.
Finally, she asked:
"Did you know the money was intended for children?"
Damian closed his eyes.
"Yes."
She stared.
"Then why?"
He looked at her.
"Because I thought I could replace it before anyone noticed."
Vivien felt tears rise.
For years, she'd believed Damian's worst flaw was pride.
Now she understood how destructive that pride had become.
"You didn't just betray me," she whispered.
"I know."
"You betrayed people who trusted us."
He nodded.
Vivien stood.
"Then you need to tell the investigators."
Damian looked up sharply.
"Vivien—"
"No."
He reached for her hand.
She stepped back.
"Don't ask me to protect you from the consequences of your choices."
His eyes filled.
"I still love you."
Vivien looked at him.
For a moment, she saw the young man she'd married.
Then she shook her head.
"Maybe you do."
She paused.
"But you stopped loving me in a way I could live with."
Damian began crying.
May you like
Vivien turned away.
And for the first time in twenty-two years, she let him carry his own grief.
