Chapter 3

For the next two days, I remained at the office organizing the Orion Corridor transfer. Every authorization, risk assessment, and port agreement had to be correct. The lights in my office stayed on through both nights, and everyone in the overseas division noticed.

They also talked about me in an employee group chat that excluded me.

According to them, I had embarrassed Adrian at the celebration and was now working desperately to earn his forgiveness. Others pointed out that my official salary was only five thousand dollars a month, while Adrian paid for my home, security, and lifestyle.

“She only became strategy director because she married the Don.”

“The group needs Moretti connections now. What does Mara offer besides paperwork?”

“I heard she slowed Adrian down when he started the business. The group would have expanded sooner without her.”

No one said these things to my face.

Sofia sent me screenshots of every message.

Two months earlier, Adrian had restored her position as liaison to the Moretti family. She was in Paris, but she still followed everything happening at headquarters.

She sent me a voice message.

“Mara, I understand why being married to a man like Adrian makes you insecure. He is a Don. There will always be younger, prettier women who understand how to support him.”

Her sympathy sounded carefully rehearsed.

“You spend all your time working, so people no longer see you as his wife. Men want warmth and understanding. They don’t want a woman who challenges their authority.”

I listened once and smiled.

“Then the overseas division no longer needs you. I’ll have Human Resources remove you from the project roster.”

Her reply came immediately.

“What do you mean?”

“You can spend all your time understanding men.”

I blocked her and continued printing the divorce agreement.

Adrian called less than ten minutes later.

“What did you say to Sofia?”

His anger was controlled, but unmistakable.

I arranged the printed pages. “She suggested women should focus on pleasing men. I thought the advice suited her.”

“Mara.”

His voice lowered when he said my name.

“Sofia finally agreed to return to the group. You threw a drink in my face at the celebration, yet she chose not to pursue the insult. I brought her to Paris so she could recover, and now you have upset her again.”

“She chose not to pursue my insult?”

“The drink was a mistake, but she wanted to help you. You humiliated her, and she still stepped back. You should do the same.”

I looked at the divorce agreement.

“When are you returning?”

“Tomorrow afternoon.”

“Good. We need to discuss the divorce.”

The line went silent.

“What did you say?”

“The agreement is ready. We can sign when you return.”

Adrian’s voice turned cold.

“How long are you planning to continue this?”

“I’m not continuing anything.”

“You want to end seven years of marriage because of one drink?”

“The drink helped me make the decision.”

Something struck the floor on his end, probably a chair.

“Jealousy and anger have limits,” he said. “I will let you be upset, and I will compensate you, but you cannot threaten divorce whenever you dislike my decisions.”

He still believed I was trying to force him to surrender.

Adrian could tolerate tears, arguments, and broken glasses because those reactions kept me within the boundaries he had chosen. Actually leaving would challenge the Don’s authority.

“The agreement will be in your office,” I said. “Remember to read it.”

“Fine. Don’t regret it.”

He ended the call.

I signed the final page and sent the documents to my attorney.

A new announcement appeared in the company group soon afterward.

Effective immediately, Mara Bellini was suspended as strategy director. Sofia Moretti would assume control of the overseas division and take responsibility for the Orion Corridor. She would also represent Valenti Holdings at Monday’s press conference.

No one objected.

Adrian knew I had spent thirty-nine days in Europe securing the project. He knew I had negotiated during the day and reviewed documents through the night until my stomach hurt.

He took my position and my project anyway.

He believed that once he removed what mattered most to me, I would apologize.