Chapter 9: The Escalation

Alexander's POV

I watch Elena walk upstairs, her spine rigid with defiance, something dark and cold settles in my chest, not jealousy, just anger that my control is slipping.

That she thinks she can defy me without consequences.

In my office I pull out my phone, dial Thomas Grayson, my family lawyer picks up on the third ring.

"Alexander, it's late, what can I do for you?"

"I need to review the marriage contract, specifically the clauses about Elena's access to her foundation funds."

Thomas is quiet for a moment, "What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking my wife needs to remember who controls the money that runs her little charity project.

" I say it coldly, precisely, with no room for argument.

"I'll send over the documents now, give me ten minutes."

I pour myself a scotch while I wait, the P*F arrives and I open it on my laptop, scroll through pages of legal language until I find what I'm looking for.

The foundation is funded through a trust that I control.

Elena has discretionary spending up to five thousand but anything larger requires my signature, and I can freeze the entire account with a single phone call.

Perfect….

I dial the foundation's director Margaret, she answers groggily.

 "Mr. Harrington? It's almost midnight."

"Effective immediately, no expenditures over one thousand dollars without my written approval.

 Mrs. Harrington's discretionary spending is suspended pending financial review."

Margaret sounds confused, "Sir, Mrs. Harrington is scheduled to approve three new literacy programs this week, we've already committed to the schools."

"Then those programs will be delayed, this is not a discussion Margaret, follow my instructions or find other employment."

"Yes sir."

I hang up, satisfaction settling over me.

Elena wants to defy me, she can watch her precious foundation crumble while she does it.

The next evening I have dinner with Victoria Chen, the investigator I hired to dig into Marcus Rivera, we meet at some upscale place in Midtown, photographers will catch us leaving, good, let Elena see.

"What do you have for me?" I ask once we're seated.

Victoria slides her tablet across the table, "Rivera has been moving money into shell companies for six months, millions, he's planning something big but I can't tell what yet."

"Any connection to Elena?"

"Not directly, but one of the shell companies shares a business address with your family lawyer.

Thomas Grayson."

My jaw tightens, "You're sure?"

"Positive, I can't prove they're working together yet but the connection is there."

"Keep digging, I need leverage on him."

We finish dinner, photographers catch us leaving, Victoria takes my arm for the cameras, I drop her at her car and drive home alone.

The house is dark except for one light in the living room. 

I find Elena there on her laptop, she looks exhausted, dark circles under her eyes.

"Working late?" I ask from the doorway.

Elena looks up, her face strained, "Trying to figure out why my foundation's accounts are frozen.

You wouldn't know anything about that would you?"

"I would," I say calmly, "I'm conducting a financial review, making sure funds are being used appropriately."

Elena stands, fury in her eyes.

"Those programs help children, kids who need books, who need mentors."

"Who needs their programs properly managed." I interrupt.

 "When you demonstrate responsible decision making in your personal life.

I'll consider restoring your professional autonomy, until then everything goes through me."

"This is because of Marcus," Elena realizes.

 "You're punishing children because I had lunch with someone you don't like."

"I'm protecting my investment, the foundation operates on Harrington money, that makes it my concern."

"You're a monster," Elena's voice breaks…. 

"An actual monster."

"Call me what you want, just remember who holds the power here."

I walk away before she can respond, in my office I pour another drink, tell myself I feel satisfied, but when I close my eyes I see her face, the hurt, the rage, something uncomfortable twists in my gut.

I drown it with more scotch.

At three in the morning I still can't sleep…..I pull up the surveillance feed, check Elena's room.

It's empty, I check Julian's room, also empty, panic flares hot in my chest.

I grab my phone, pull up the tracking app with shaking hands, Elena and Julian are at Mount Sinai Hospital emergency room.

I'm already moving, grabbing my keys, running to my car, driving too fast through empty streets, parking illegally, running inside.

I find them in a curtained area, Elena holding Julian who's crying, his small arm in a makeshift sling.

"What happened?" I demand.

Elena looks up, her face cold, "He fell off his bed, had a nightmare, was calling for his daddy who's never home..

I called you four times Alexander, you didn't answer, so I drove him here myself."

My phone, I left it on silent.

"Is he okay?"

"Sprained wrist, he'll be fine, no thanks to you."

I reach for Julian, "Buddy, are you okay?"

Julian turns away, buries his face in Elena's shoulder, won't look at me.

"He doesn't know you anymore," Elena says quietly.

 "You're a stranger to your own son, congratulations Alexander, you've won, you've controlled everything so thoroughly that even your child doesn't want you."

The words hit harder than any business failure.

I stand there watching my son reject me, something cracks in my chest.

"Julian," I tried again.

 "Daddy's here now."

"Go away," Julian says into Elena's shoulder.

"I want Mama."

Elena looks at me with something that might be a pity.

"You should go….. Alexander, you're upsetting him."

"He's my son."

"Then maybe you should have acted like his father, maybe you should have been here, been present, been something other than a ghost who signs checksand issues orders."

She walks past me toward the exit, Julian still won't look at me.

I stand there in the ER watching my family leave without me, and for the first time in four years I wonder if I've made a terrible mistake.