Chapter 4 - THE ANNIVERSARY INVITATION|
Victoria's fifth wedding anniversary had once been a date she counted down to with excitement.
She had imagined a quiet dinner, a handwritten letter, perhaps a trip somewhere beautiful where Alexander could forget the demands of his empire.
Instead, she spent the morning signing legal instructions to protect herself from the man she had married.
Nathan arranged for an independent forensic accountant to examine the suspicious transactions. He also advised her to stop using shared devices and to preserve communications in their original form.
“Do not confront him with every piece of evidence,” he warned. “We need to understand the full picture before he knows how much we have.”
Victoria nodded.
“How long?”
“A few days for preliminary findings. Longer if the records are deliberately obscured.”
“We have until tomorrow night.”
Nathan looked up.
“Why tomorrow?”
“Our anniversary.”
He understood immediately.
“You want him to believe everything is normal.”
“I want him to believe he still has control.”
Nathan studied her.
“That can be dangerous.”
“So is remaining married to a man who may have forged my signature.”
He didn't argue.
By afternoon, Victoria had made two reservations at an exclusive restaurant overlooking the Chicago River.
The first was a private dining room for Alexander.
The second was a separate meeting with her lawyer and financial adviser in a nearby hotel suite.
She sent Alexander a message.
Tomorrow night. Eight o'clock. The place where we celebrated our first anniversary. I have something special for you.
His reply came almost immediately.
I knew you'd come around. I'll be there.
Victoria stared at the screen.
He still thought every conflict ended when she became tired enough to surrender.
She placed the phone facedown.
At six that evening, Sophia arrived wearing a pale pink dress.
She walked into the drawing room without waiting for an invitation.
“Alexander said you were planning something for the anniversary.”
Victoria looked up from her book.
“I am.”
Sophia sat opposite her.
“I think we should clear the air.”
“About what?”
“Your marriage. Alexander and I are having a child. He needs stability.”
Victoria closed her book.
“Then perhaps he should stop creating instability.”
Sophia's cheeks flushed.
“You can't keep him forever just because you married him first.”
“I haven't tried to keep him for a long time.”
“Then why won't you leave?”
Victoria smiled without warmth.
“I'm working on it.”
Sophia leaned forward.
“Alexander says you don't understand what he's going through. He says you have no idea how much pressure he's under.”
“I'm sure he tells you many things.”
“He trusts me.”
“Does he trust you with his money?”
Sophia's expression changed.
“You keep mentioning money.”
“Because money leaves records. Feelings leave excuses.”
For a moment, neither woman spoke.
Then Sophia stood and adjusted her dress.
“I hope tomorrow is everything you want it to be.”
“So do I.”
Sophia walked toward the door.
Victoria watched her reflection in the darkened window.
The younger woman had arrived expecting a frightened wife, someone who would beg her to leave Alexander alone.
Instead, she was leaving with questions.
That was progress.
Later, Victoria went upstairs and opened the safe hidden behind a framed painting in her study.
Inside were copies of her grandmother's trust documents, her passport, a small amount of cash, and an envelope containing a letter written by her late grandmother.
Victoria had not read it in years.
She unfolded the paper.
My dear Victoria, never confuse loyalty with surrender. The people who love you should never require you to disappear so they can feel powerful.
Victoria pressed the letter against her chest.
Then she packed a small suitcase.
At 11:47 p.m., Nathan called.
“We found the first direct connection between Alexander and the forged transfer documents.”
“What is it?”
“The original authorization came from an account controlled by his chief financial officer.”
“Who?”
“Richard Cole.”
Victoria recognized the name immediately.
Richard had been Alexander's closest business adviser since before their wedding.
Nathan continued.
“And Victoria, there's something else. Richard has been moving money for years. The latest transfer wasn't an isolated incident.”
“How much?”
Nathan gave her the figure.
She sat down.
The amount was enough to threaten the entire Moretti empire.
May you like
Before she could respond, Nathan added one final sentence.
“Your husband may not be the only person who wants you gone.”
