Chapter 8: The Lunch that Changes Things

Elena's POV

The restaurant in SoHo is beautiful, all exposed brick and soft lighting. 

I spot Marcus at a corner table and my stomach does a nervous flip…. he stands when he sees me, pulls out my chair before I can even reach for it.

"Thank you for meeting me." I say, sliding into the seat.

"Thank you for trusting me enough to come." Marcus replies, his smile warm and genuine.

We order lunch and Marcus leans forward.

"Tell me about your foundation, I want to hear everything, what programs are you running, what's your vision."

I blink, surprised, "You actually want to know about the work?"

"Of course, why wouldn't I?"

"Alexander never asks," the words slip out.

 "He funds it because it makes him look charitable but he's never once asked about the actual programs or the children we help."

Marcus's face darkens…

"Then he's a fool."

Something in my chest loosens and I find myself really talking, about the mobile libraries we run in underserved neighborhoods, about the reading mentorship program, about my dream of expanding into more schools.

Marcus listens intently, asks detailed questions, takes actual notes.

 "You're passionate about this, it's beautiful to see someone care so deeply about making a difference."

"These kids deserve a chance." I say, feeling myself relax.

 "They deserve to know that books can change everything."

"I know exactly what you mean," Marcus sets down his phone.

 "I grew up in foster care, bounced between six different homes.

The only stability I had was school, teachers who believed in me when no one else did, they saved my life."

"I didn't know that about you."

"Most people don't…qa

"But that's why your foundation matters Elena, you're giving kids what I almost didn't have.

.. HOPE."

Our food arrives and we keep talking, about books we loved as children, about my life before Alexander, before the contract.

"What were you like before all of this?" Marcus asks.

"Happy," I say softly, "My parents and I were close.

We spent Sundays reading together in our garden, then they died in a house fire when I was twenty two.

I lost everything, I was alone and desperate and Alexander's father offered me this arrangement."

Marcus reaches across the table, covers my hand with his.

"Elena, I know this is complicated, I know your situation with Alexander, but I want you to know you have an ally in me…. as a friend, as a supporter of your work, as someone who thinks you deserve better."

Before I can respond, a delivery person appears carrying an enormous bouquet of roses…..

two dozen at least, deep red and obscenely expensive.

"Elena Harrington?"

My stomach drops, "Yes."

He sets the vase on our table and hands me a card.

I already know what it will say.

To my devoted wife, with all my love, Alexander.

My face burns with humiliation, my hands shake, he's watching me, even here, and now…..reminding me that I'm his, that I can't escape.

"He's tracking you, isn't he?" 

Marcus asks quietly.

I nod, fighting tears.

"My phone, probably cameras everywhere, he knows everything I do."

"Elena, this isn't normal, this isn't how a marriage should be."

"I know," I whisper, "But I have no way out, the contract, Julian, everything….. I'm trapped."

Marcus is quiet for a moment, "What if you didn't have to be, what if there were options you haven't considered."

"Like what?"

"Like having people in your corner who could help you find legal loopholes….. like building your own financial independence through your foundation work, like creating a life that's yours, not his."

I look at him, hope and fear warring in my chest.

 "You make it sound so simple."

"I'm not saying it would be easy," Marcus continues….

 "But you're stronger than you think, and you don't have to face this alone.

My company has resources, lawyers who specialize in contract law, we could review your marriage agreement."

"Why would you do that for me?"

"Because someone should," he says simply.

 "Because I see how intelligent you are, how passionate about your work, and I think you deserve a chance to be free."

We finish lunch talking about potential partnerships between his company and my foundation, legitimate business reasons for us to meet regularly.

"I'll have my team draw up a proposal," Marcus says as we're leaving.

"We can meet next week to review the details."

"Alexander will find out."

"Then we'll tell him it's a business partnership, which it is, he can't fault you for expanding your foundation's reach."

Outside the restaurant, Marcus stops me.

"Elena, one more thing, if you ever feel unsafe, if he ever crosses a line, you call me, day or night, I'll help you."

I nod, profoundly grateful.

"Thank you Marcus, for everything."

"Anytime," he squeezes my hand once, then lets go, "I mean it."

I carry the roses to my car, the whole drive home I stare at the red petals, at Alexander's message mocking me.

When we pull up to the mansion Alexander's car is already in the driveway, he's home early, waiting.

I walk through the front door carrying the roses and there he is, standing in the foyer in his work suit, arms crossed, his face cold.

"Did you enjoy your lunch?" he asks, voice dangerously quiet.

"The flowers were a nice touch," I say coldly, setting them down, "Subtle as always."

"I wanted to remind you that despite your little rebellion, you're still my wife, still bound to me, still mine."

"I'm not yours," I say, something hardening in me.

"I never was, this is a business arrangement remember, you've made that very clear for four years."

Alexander steps closer, towers over me.

 "Then let me make something else clear, every time you see Marcus I'll make your life more difficult, every meeting, every lunch, every text, I'll know about it, and there will be 

consequences."

"What more can you do to me?" I challenge, lifting my chin.

 "You've already taken everything, my freedom, my dignity.

What's left?"

Alexander's smile is cold, calculated.

 "You'd be surprised what more I can take, test me Elena, please, I'm almost hoping you will."

He walks past me toward his office, stops at the doorway.

 "Oh and by the way, I've decided to conduct a full audit of your foundation's finances, just to ensure everything is being managed properly."

The door closes with a soft click and I stand there surrounded by roses that smell like a threat, realizing my husband just declared war.