Chapter 16: Exiled

Elena's POV

"...moves to kick you out," Marcus's voice comes through the phone, urgent and worried.

 "Elena, I just heard from a colleague at Harrington Global. Are you okay?"

My hand trembles holding the phone, I can barely get the words out.

"He sent his lawyer, Marcus, an email from Thomas Grayson saying I need to collect my things tomorrow, that temporary accommodations have been arranged at the Plaza Hotel."

"Jesus," Marcus breathes out. "Elena, I'm so sorry."

"He didn't even call me himself," my voice cracks and I hate how weak I sound, "just had his lawyer handle it like I'm some business transaction he's closing."

Marcus is quiet for a moment….then his voice comes back softer.

 "Listen, I know the Plaza is nice but that's not a home for Julian, if you need anything at all I'm here…..you don't have to do this alone."

"Thank you," I whisper, tears streaming down my face now.

But I need to handle this myself, I need to prove I can stand on my own, that I'm not just Alexander's wife, I'm someone without him.

Yeah! Elena you deserve better…

You are strong and capable

We talk for a few more minutes before I hang up, then I just sit there in the dark kitchen staring at nothing.

Tomorrow morning I have to pack up my life and leave the only home Julian's ever known, all because I had lunch with a friend.

Sleep doesn't come that night, I lie awake watching the ceiling…thinking of how I will explain things to my son.

Morning arrives too fast..

I drag myself out of bed and start packing with shaking hands.

"Mama, what are you doing?" Julian appears in the doorway of my bedroom, rubbing his eyes, still in his dinosaur pajamas.

"We're going on an adventure, baby," I force a smile

"We're going to stay at a fancy hotel in the city for a little while."

"A hotel?" his eyes light up. "Like when we went to Disney?"

"Sort of like that," I say, folding another shirt into the suitcase.

It'll be fun, they have room service and everything.

"But what about my toys?" Julian asks, looking worried now, and my trucks?

"We'll bring your favorites," I promise, and the rest will be safe here until we come back."

When are we coming back?

Soon, sweetheart, very soon."

***

At exactly ten AM I hear the crunch of tires on gravel, my stomach drops as I look out the window to see three black SUVs pulling up the driveway.

Alexander's security team.

Four men in dark suits get out, their faces stone cold and professional.

The head of security, a man named Richard who's worked for Alexander for years, approaches the front door.

I open it before he can knock, Julian hiding behind my legs.

"Mrs. Harrington," Richard's voice is formal, like he doesn't know me at all even though he's driven us dozens of times. 

I'm here to escort you to the Plaza Hotel and ensure the transition goes smoothly.

"Transition," I repeat the word, it tastes bitter.

Is that what we're calling this?

Richard doesn't respond, just hands me a manila envelope.. 

 New key cards for the Plaza suite, your estate access codes have been deactivated as of six AM this morning.

Mr. Harrington has also arranged for a credit card for expenses, all receipts should be submitted to his office weekly.

I take the envelope, my hands shaking...

 Of course, he wouldn't want me spending his money without permission.

"I'm just following orders, ma'am," Richard says.

It takes two hours to pack everything we need, the security team loading boxes into one of the SUVs while Julian watches with wide confused eyes.

 I do one final walk through the house, my footsteps echoing in the empty rooms.

I stop in the living room where Julian took his first steps.

In the kitchen where I used to make breakfast hoping Alexander would join us.

In the master bedroom where I've spent so many nights alone.

This house never felt like home, it was always Alexander's space that he allowed me to occupy, but it feels like I've lost something I never actually had.

"Mama, I'm ready," Julian tugs on my hand, his little backpack stuffed with toy trucks.

"Okay baby," I take one last look around, "let's go on our adventure."

The drive to the city takes ninety minutes, Julian falls asleep after the first thirty…

 I watch the Connecticut landscape blur past the window, trees and houses and the life I'm leaving behind.

Richard drives in silence, the other security vehicles following behind us like a funeral procession.

We arrive at the Plaza just after one PM, the hotel is beautiful, all gold , marble and luxury, bellhops rush to help with our bags while the concierge greets us with practiced smiles.

"Mrs. Harrington, welcome," a woman in a sharp suit extends her hand.

 I'm Caroline, the guest services manager, Mr. Harrington has arranged everything for your stay, please let us know if you need anything at all.

"Thank you," I manage, holding Julian's hand tight as we follow her to the elevators.

The suite is on the twentieth floor, two bedrooms with a living area in between, floor to ceiling windows overlooking Central Park.

It's stunning, it's perfect, it feels like a prison made of silk and marble.

Julian wakes up fully as we enter, his eyes going wide.

 "Wow, Mama, look how high up we are."

"Pretty cool right?" I say, watching him run to the windows.

Caroline shows us around, explaining everything about the hotel..

 I nod numbly.

After she leaves I stand in the middle of the living room, surrounded by our hastily packed boxes, and I don't know what to do…. I don't know how to pretend this is okay.

I try calling Alexander one more time, tell myself I'm doing it for Julian, that our son deserves to hear from his father.

 It goes straight to voicemail, his voice professional and distant, leave a message.

I hang up without saying anything, what's the point.

Julian is exploring his new room, bouncing on the bed, opening drawers, trying to make it feel like his.

 I sit down on the couch and stare at my wedding ring, this thin gold band that's supposed to mean forever.

My phone buzzes with a text and my heart jumps thinking maybe it's Alexander, but it's Marcus.

How's the Plaza? I'm in the city if you need company, just say the word and I'll bring dinner, you shouldn't face this alone.

I stare at the message for a long time, my thumb hovering over the reply button, I know I should say no, I know this is crossing some invisible line.

But Alexander kicked us out, he won't even answer my calls….

I type back before I can change my mind: Dinner would be nice, Julian would love to see you.