LOGIN"And the contract was withdrawn shortly after."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
“Where did you get this?” Her voice was barely audible. “Your purse.” “My purse?” She looked up at me. “I don’t understand. I didn’t—” “You didn’t what? Didn’t plan this?” “I don’t know what this is!” “It’s proof!” I jabbed a finger at the paper in her hands. “Proof that you’ve been hiding this
Alicia's POV Vivienne’s pearls caught the light as she reappeared, every inch of her radiating quiet authority. I rose before she reached the table. “I’m so sorry, Vivienne,” I said smoothly, my voice faking all sophistication, just how Lucy would have sounded, misted with honey. “You’d stepped aw
Alicia’s POV I stepped inside. The room smelled of leather, old books, and the faint trace of his cologne. The desk lamp cast shadows across his face. I didn’t sit. Just stood there with my arms wrapped around myself. “About last night,” I started. My voice was smaller than I wanted. “About that
My throat tightened. “I know.” “And whatever’s going on, you can tell me. I’m not going to break.” Yes, you will. You’ll break if I tell you I’m pregnant with a man who doesn’t want me. That I’m trapped in a marriage that was supposed to be temporary but became permanent the moment I fell in love







