LOGIN"And the contract was withdrawn shortly after." "Yes." "How did you interpret that?" "She followed through." Cole objected. Speculation. Sustained. "Ms. Holloway. Across three years of events. How would you describe Alicia Valentine's manner?" "Controlled. Always controlled. She was never visi
Her smile faltering. A shadow passing across it. "Because I want you to understand—" "No." A step closer. "You are here because you are terrified. Because despite everything. Despite the photo. Despite Edward sleeping with you. Despite wearing his grandmother's necklace. You're still not his wife.
Alicia's POV The screen came on. The photography gallery. Museum lighting. Artwork on the walls. I was already there when Lucy walked in. I watched myself from across a courtroom. The navy gown. Hair up. Standing in front of a photograph of a woman whose face was half in shadow. Lucy stopped be
"No." She picked up one page from her table. Set it back down without reading it. The movement of someone who had taken in every word long before this moment and no longer needed to see them again. "Mr. Valentine. You called Alicia Valentine thirteen times that morning." "Yes." "She didn't answe
Edward's POV Four steps to Cole's table. Folder down. His hand moved over it without looking up. Done. Seven more to the stand. I sat. Adjusted once for the shoulder. Hands open on the railing. The sling pulled across my chest and I left it. Cole stood at the podium. "Mr. Valentine. Please sta
Judge Harmon returned at fourteen minutes. She set the folder on her bench and read without acknowledging either side. Two pages. She closed it. "The exhibit will be admitted with the following limitation. The jury is instructed that Exhibit D is to be considered only in the context of witness tes
Alicia's POV The room felt impossibly large in the quiet of the morning. Light filtered through drizzle-smeared glass, the rain now behind it. The city beyond looked washed clean, but it didn't reach me. Inside, the room smelled of antiseptic, stale coffee, and exhaustion. They'd been up once befo
There it was. The command was disguised in the pretense of suggestion. You'll attend. As if my presence was a foregone conclusion, as inevitable as sunrise or quarterly reports. Something flickered in my chest, a brief flash of rebellion, a moment where I wanted to ask what gave him the right to or
Alicia's POV I leaned against the cold hospital wall, phone pressed to my ear as Elena's voice cut through the fog in my head. "I've already told the office you're taking emergency family leave," she said, her tone brooking no argument. "I may have implied you're having a breakdown, but honestly,
"Wasn't it?" I stepped closer, exhaustion making me bolder than usual. "Elena saw you, Edward. She saw how you looked at her. How do you let her touch you?" His composure cracked slightly. "Elena doesn't understand—" "She understands perfectly." My voice was quiet but steady. "She understands that







