Chapter 2 - The Marriage Trevor Thought Was a LieRoman's penthouse sat high above the Chicago River.
Sadie still hadn't gotten used to it.
Not because she was intimidated by the money.
Because it was too quiet.
Her first apartment with Trevor had been above a laundromat.
The walls shook when machines spun.
Sirens woke them at midnight.
The radiator coughed all winter.
Roman's home was almost unnaturally silent.
That morning, Sadie stood barefoot in the kitchen making coffee.
Roman entered wearing a white shirt and dark trousers.
He looked at her.
“Did you sleep?”
“Eventually.”
“Your knee?”
“Sore.”
He frowned.
“We're seeing Dr. Bell.”
“We are?”
“Yes.”
“Roman.”
“You were kicked.”
“I am aware.”
“We're seeing him.”
She sighed.
“Fine.”
Roman set his phone down.
Then he noticed the box on the counter.
“The gift?”
“Yes.”
She pushed it toward him.
Roman opened it.
The cuff links were simple.
Elegant.
He looked up.
“You bought these?”
“Yes.”
“With your money?”
“Obviously.”
He stared.
“Sadie.”
“What?”
“You didn't need to.”
“I wanted to.”
He smiled.
“You know I don't need cuff links.”
“I know.”
“Then why?”
She smiled.
“Because three months ago you told me your old pair reminded you of your father.”
Roman's expression shifted.
She remembered.
He hadn't expected her to.
“It was a joke.”
“I remember.”
He touched the box.
“You remember everything.”
“Occupational hazard.”
He leaned against the counter.
“Do you regret marrying me?”
She looked up.
The question had become harder recently.
Their marriage had begun as a practical arrangement.
Roman needed a wife on paper for reasons Sadie didn't fully understand at first.
She needed money to save her mother's medical treatment and restart her life.
They had signed an agreement.
Six months.
Separate bedrooms.
No emotional expectations.
Then something changed.
Neither admitted exactly when.
“I don't regret it,” she said.
Roman nodded.
“Good.”
She tilted her head.
“What about you?”
“I don't regret anything.”
“That sounded suspiciously rehearsed.”
He smiled.
Then the front door opened.
Marco Bellini entered.
Roman's expression changed instantly.
“What's wrong?”
Marco glanced at Sadie.
“Your wife should hear this.”
Roman looked at Sadie.
She stood.
“What?”
Marco placed a folder on the table.
“Someone has been moving money through Bennett Financial.”
Sadie froze.
“Bennett Financial?”
“Your grandfather's company.”
“My grandfather's company has been closed for years.”
“Exactly.”
She opened the folder.
The accounts were active.
Transfers.
Offshore payments.
Names she didn't recognize.
Then one account caught her attention.
S. Bennett.
Her old account.
The one she had closed two years ago.
“That can't be mine.”
Roman's gaze hardened.
“That's why this is a problem.”
Marco continued.
“The account has been used to receive millions.”
Sadie looked up.
“I've never seen this money.”
“I know.”
“Then someone is using my identity.”
“Likely.”
Roman took the folder.
“Who has access?”
Marco handed him another page.
“Three people.”
Roman read the names.
Sadie's mother.
Her uncle.
And Trevor Harlan.
Sadie stared.
“Trevor?”
Roman looked at her.
“This may be coincidence.”
“No.”
Her voice was firm.
“Trevor knew my banking information.”
Roman studied her.
“How?”
“When we were together, I paid his tuition from my account.”
She paused.
“He knew all my passwords.”
Roman's jaw tightened.
“Does he still have access?”
“I changed everything.”
“Apparently not everything.”
Sadie stood.
“I'll go to the bank.”
Roman stopped her.
“No.”
“I need to.”
“You're not going alone.”
“I don't need protection.”
“I know.”
“Then why?”
“Because whoever did this knew enough to make it look like you.”
That silenced her.
Roman looked at Marco.
“Find every transaction.”
“I will.”
“And Trevor?”
“Already being watched.”
Roman turned to Sadie.
“You're staying here.”
She crossed her arms.
“No.”
“Sadie.”
“You married a woman who refuses orders.”
His mouth twitched.
“I remember.”
“Then remember again.”
He laughed softly.
That evening, they attended a charity dinner.
Sadie wore a black gown she had designed herself.
Roman never looked away from her.
At the event, Trevor approached.
He came alone.
Chloe was nowhere in sight.
“Can we talk?”
Sadie looked at Roman.
He nodded.
Trevor stepped closer.
“I didn't know.”
“Know what?”
“About the marriage.”
Sadie almost smiled.
“You knew yesterday.”
“I mean before that.”
“What difference does it make?”
Trevor looked ashamed for the first time.
“Sadie, I was wrong.”
She stared.
“About?”
“Everything.”
“That is a broad apology.”
“I was selfish.”
“Yes.”
“I hurt you.”
“Yes.”
“I regret it.”
“No.”
His face fell.
“You don't?”
“I regret that I believed you.”
Trevor swallowed.
“I want another chance.”
Roman's expression became cold.
“No.”
Trevor looked at him.
“This is between Sadie and me.”
Roman replied calmly.
“No.”
Sadie touched Roman's arm.
“I can answer.”
Then she faced Trevor.
“I don't want you.”
Trevor looked devastated.
She continued.
“I don't hate you.”
“That sounds like something.”
“It isn't.”
She stepped closer.
“You spent years teaching me that love could be withdrawn whenever I wasn't convenient.”
Her voice softened.
“I finally learned not to beg for it.”
Trevor looked down.
Then he whispered:
“You really love him?”
Sadie looked at Roman.
“Yes.”
Trevor turned away.
But as he left, he received a text.
She doesn't know what her husband did.
Trevor stopped.
Another message appeared.
Wait. Let her fall in love first.
Trevor stared at it.
Then deleted the conversation.
He should have walked away.
Instead, he answered.
What do you want?
The response came immediately.
Roman Vale's empire.
May you like
Trevor looked toward the couple across the ballroom.
And for the first time, he realized the woman he had once abandoned could become the key to destroying the man she now loved.
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