Chapter 4 - THE GATHERING STORM
The next morning,
the air felt heavy.
The weather was turning,
dark clouds gathering over the city skyline.
Adrian was in high spirits,
humming to himself as he straightened his tie.
He had a big board meeting today.
He thought he was going to finalize the merger that would make him a titan.
"Wish me luck,"
he said,
grabbing his briefcase.
"You don't need luck,
Adrian,"
I said,
pouring myself a cup of tea.
"You have everything under control."
He laughed and walked out the door.
The moment he was gone,
I picked up the phone.
"It's time,"
I said.
The wheels began to turn.
The lawyers I had hired began filing the injunctions.
The forensic reports were delivered to the board members.
The banks were notified of the suspicious transfers.
I sat on the sofa and watched the rain start to fall.
The first drops hit the window with a sharp,
rhythmic sound.
Like a countdown.
I thought about the house.
This house was mine.
My grandfather had built it.
Adrian thought it was part of the marital assets.
He hadn't read the fine print of the prenuptial agreement my father had insisted on.
The house,
the grounds,
and the primary shares of the family firm,
were all protected.
He was a CEO because I allowed him to be.
He was wealthy because I shared my name.
He had built his reputation on my foundation.
And now,
I was pulling the rug out from under him.
I wondered how long it would take for him to realize.
Would he find out in the meeting?
Would he find out when his credit card was declined at lunch with Julianne?
Or would he find out when he tried to come home tonight and the locks were changed?
I felt a strange sense of peace.
The storm outside was violent,
but inside,
I was finally still.
The lies were over.
The silence was about to be broken.
I took a sip of my tea and waited.
May you like
The phone rang ten minutes later.
It was Julianne.
