LOGIN"And the contract was withdrawn shortly after."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
“I understand,” I said. She didn’t respond. Didn’t look up again. I stayed standing. Didn’t sit. Didn’t move closer. “But we need to talk.” Her jaw tightened. Just barely. “No. We don’t.” “Alicia—” “Edward.” She said my name like a warning. Like a line I shouldn’t cross. Her eyes lifted again.
Edward's POV The mansion closed in on me the moment I stepped inside—like the walls were waiting, like they knew. I set the cup down without drinking. My hands weren’t sure enough for it anyway. Alicia’s face wouldn’t leave me. That café. Her calmness. Her refusal, so precise that it left no
Edward’s POV The elevator doors opened with a soft chime. I stepped onto the marble floor, shoes hitting with unhurried precision. Heads lifted. Pens stopped mid-stroke. Phones went still. Recognition. Routine. Expected. Monday night's silence still clung to me. The empty mansion. The trace of he
Edward’s POV The revolving doors of Valentine Tower spun behind me as I stepped into the lobby. Marble. Glass. The low hum of controlled efficiency. The investor meeting had run long. Three hours of posturing, reassurances, and carefully worded commitments. But it was done. The deal was locked. M







