By the afternoon, my name was everywhere.
Not because of my jewelry.
Not because of my work.
Because of Adrian.
A photograph from the gala had been published online.
Adrian kissing me.
The headline was worse.
BILLIONAIRE BLACKWOOD’S MYSTERY BRIDE: LOVE OR BUSINESS DEAL?
I stared at the screen.
Claire called immediately.
“Have you seen it?”
“Yes.”
“Oh my God.”
“I know.”
“You’re trending.”
“I don’t want to be trending.”
“Nobody does until they are.”
I closed the article.
“What are people saying?”
“Everything.”
“That’s helpful.”
“Some people think you’re after his money.”
I laughed.
“Of course.”
“Others think he married you to gain control of the Carter Trust.”
I stopped.
The same question. The source of this chapter is g.com.
Again.
Claire became quieter.
“Elena.”
“What?”
“Did he?”
I didn’t answer.
“Claire.”
“I’m not accusing him.”
“I know.”
“But you should ask yourself.”
I stared at the bracelet.
Maybe I should.
That evening, Adrian came home late.
He found me in the library.
“You saw the article.”
“Yes.”
“I’m handling it.”
“You can’t control the internet.”
“I can control what happens next.”
I looked at him.
“That’s what scares me.”
He stopped.
“What?”
“You always think you can control everything.”
His expression hardened.
“Someone has to.”
“No.”
I stood.
His eyes stayed on mine.
“Do you regret marrying me?”
I hesitated.
“No.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“You.”
He almost smiled.
“That’s vague.”
“You hide everything.”
“Not everything.”
“Enough.”
He stepped closer.
“I’ve told you more than I’ve told anyone.”
“That isn’t the same as telling me the truth.”
He was silent.
Then he said:
“I’ll try.”
Those two words surprised me.
“Try?”
“Yes.”
It was the first time Adrian Blackwood had admitted he couldn’t simply control the outcome.
I nodded.
“That’s all I wanted.”
He reached for my hand.
This time, I let him.