Chapter 6 Playing Weak, Demanding Control of My Assets

Elora's POV

By the time I got home, it was late at night.

As soon as I opened the front door, Daniel jumped up from the couch and hurried over.

"Elora, you're finally home. Are you okay?"

He wore an eager-to-please smile and reached to take my bag.

I pulled away before he could touch me and set my bag on the entry table.

"I'm fine."

Daniel's hand hung in the air for a moment.

But he quickly pulled it back, acting like my coldness didn't bother him at all, and followed me into the living room like a shadow.

"Elora, I know you're upset about what happened at the hospital and the auction today." His voice was as soft as it had been every night for three years, when he lulled me to sleep. "But you've got the wrong idea about Chloe."

I crossed my arms and quietly watched him put on his show.

"For the three years you were blind, I worked all day and took care of you at night." Daniel sighed, sounding sincere. "When I needed help the most, Chloe took a lot off my plate.

"Today her stomach hurt. Then she found out she's pregnant, and she doesn't have anyone to lean on. After everything she's done for me these three years, I just wanted to pay her back a little.

"I never thought it would hurt you this much, or that you'd actually get hurt because of me... I swear, you're the only one I've ever loved. I just felt sorry for her."

He sounded so heartfelt. If the first thing I'd seen with my restored sight hadn't been the two of them naked and tangled on the rug, I might have fallen for his act.

When I didn't say anything, panic crossed Daniel's face.

He fished around in his suit pocket and pulled out a dark blue velvet box, holding it out to me.

"Elora, this is for you."

He opened the box. Inside lay a dazzling sapphire necklace, the teardrop stone shimmering like something out of a dream.

My breath caught. It was the Tear of the Deep, the necklace Sotheby's had auctioned off last year.

Back then, I couldn't see. Daniel had sat on the edge of the bed, flipping through the catalog the auction house had sent, and described every detail of the necklace to me.

I'd been leaning against him, and I'd joked, "I wish that necklace were mine."

I never imagined he'd actually buy it.

"I know you're upset that my uncle bought your mother's piano at the auction." Daniel looked at me intently. "I remembered how much you liked this necklace. I had to go through a middleman to buy it from a private collector. Elora, will you forgive me?"

As he spoke, he lifted the necklace out, meaning to fasten it around my neck.

But before the cold stone could touch my collarbone, I raised a hand and stopped him.

"Don't."

Daniel looked stunned.

In the past, even the smallest kindness from him would have filled me with joy.

But tonight, neither his explanations nor the necklace could draw a warm response from me.

He smoothed his expression, then spoke in a tentative, probing tone.

"Elora, this isn't like you.

"Ever since you got your sight back, everything's been off. Tell me, what else can I do to make this right?"

I lowered my eyes and gave a bitter laugh at my own expense, letting my voice turn fragile.

"Daniel, at the gala tonight, Chloe was bidding with a card on your account.

"When I couldn't even come up with $3 million, do you know how humiliating that was?"

Daniel flinched. "Elora, that card belongs to the company..."

"For three years, you've managed every account and trust in my name." I looked up and met his eyes. "Tonight I realized that if you ever got tired of me, I couldn't protect even my mother's belongings, and I wouldn't have a cent to my name."

Daniel swallowed hard. "How could that happen? How could I ever get tired of you..."

"Then you won't mind giving me back control of my accounts," I said. "And I want you to put some assets in my name. Real estate, I mean. Not just a necklace."

Something shifted in Daniel's eyes.

"Elora, I'm glad you're asking me for things." After a few seconds, he took my hand, his voice eager to please. "It means you want to make our marriage work."

"But I don't feel secure." I pressed my lips together. "Can you make me feel secure?"

"Of course." Daniel thought for a moment, then steeled himself. "I'll take inventory of everything in your accounts and trusts, then return control to you. And I'll transfer the Midtown Manhattan penthouse into your name."

I knew the penthouse he meant.

Four years ago, I'd seen the floor plans. It was pure luxury, worth more than $10 million.

"I hope you mean it." I pulled my hand back and didn't give him another chance to get close. "I'm tired. Sleep in the guest room tonight."

With that, I stopped looking at him and went upstairs to the master bedroom.

I leaned back against the door and slowly exhaled.

Regaining control of my money and getting the deed to that penthouse were only the first steps toward divorce.

Once I wasn't chained to him financially, I could leave New York without looking back.

I went to shower and wash my hair, then sat down at the vanity to blow-dry it.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed on the vanity.

I unlocked it. Someone had sent me a photo.

It was a purchase contract for a luxury home, with Chloe's name listed as the buyer.

The payment authorization bore a signature I knew all too well: Daniel's.

Then came texts from Chloe.

"Elora, I hear Daniel's giving you an apartment?"

"To be honest, the minute I found out I was pregnant, Daniel put down money on a beach house in the Hamptons for me."

"To him, you're a wife in name only. You're nothing next to the baby I'm carrying."