Chapter 10

Elena had barely stepped out of the hotel the following afternoon when she received an invitation she had no intention of accepting. The message was from Adrian's mother, politely requesting her presence at a charity luncheon hosted by the Ashford Foundation. Elena read it twice before laughing under her breath. Three days ago, they had stripped her of her position, her home, her husband's name, and nearly everything she had spent years building with them. Now they wanted her at their charity luncheon as though nothing had happened. She should have deleted the invitation, but then she noticed the final line.

Your father believes it would be in everyone's best interest if you attended.

That was enough.

Elena put on a simple cream dress, tied her hair back, and went.

The ballroom fell strangely quiet when she walked in.

Conversations didn't stop completely, but they softened enough for her to hear the whispers following her across the room.

"That's Elena."

"She actually came?"

"I heard she's been staying in a hotel."

"Didn't Adrian file charges against her?"

Elena kept walking.

She had spent too many years trying to make people comfortable with her existence. She wasn't going to start again now.

Then she saw Adrian.

He stood near the stage in a perfectly tailored black suit, one hand resting casually around Vivian's waist.

Vivian wore a dress Elena recognized immediately.

It had belonged to her.

Elena stopped.

Vivian noticed her and smiled.

It wasn't an apologetic smile.

It was the smile of a woman who wanted Elena to notice exactly what she was wearing.

Adrian turned a moment later.

His expression changed.

"Elena."

She smiled politely.

"Adrian."

Vivian slipped her arm through his.

"I wasn't sure you'd come."

Elena looked at her dress.

"Neither was I."

Vivian's smile widened.

"It's a beautiful dress, isn't it?"

"Very."

"I thought I'd wear something special tonight."

"I can see that."

Adrian glanced between them.

"Can we talk privately?"

Elena laughed softly.

"About what?"

"Us."

"There is no us."

His jaw tightened.

"Elena, don't make a scene."

She looked around the crowded ballroom.

"I'm not the one who brought his mistress to a charity event wearing his wife's dress."

Several nearby conversations stopped.

Vivian's smile vanished.

Adrian lowered his voice.

"Enough."

"No." Elena's voice remained calm. "You wanted me gone. You got what you wanted. So why are you suddenly uncomfortable?"

"I'm trying to protect you."

"From what?"

"From yourself."

She stared at him.

Then she laughed.

"That's exactly what you used to say whenever I disagreed with you."

Adrian stepped closer.

"You don't understand what's happening."

"I understand perfectly."

"No, you don't."

"Then explain it."

He hesitated.

Elena smiled.

"That's what I thought."

Vivian suddenly spoke.

"Elena, whatever happened between you and Adrian, you don't have to behave like this."

Elena turned toward her.

"Whatever happened?"

Vivian's expression remained innocent.

"You know what I mean."

"No, actually, I don't."

"You've been very emotional lately."

"I watched my husband sleep with my stepsister. Emotional seems appropriate."

A few people nearby looked away awkwardly.

Vivian's face reddened.

Adrian grabbed Elena's arm.

"Come with me."

Elena looked down at his hand.

"Let go."

He didn't.

A cold voice came from behind them.

"She asked you to let go."

Adrian froze.

Elena didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

Lucien.

Adrian slowly released her.

Lucien stepped beside Elena, his expression calm enough to be frightening.

Adrian's face hardened.

"This doesn't concern you, Vale."

Lucien looked at him.

"You grabbed a woman in a crowded room."

His voice remained quiet.

"It concerns me now."

Elena glanced at him.

"What are you doing here?"

"I was invited."

"By whom?"

"Myself."

Despite everything, Elena nearly smiled.

Adrian looked between them.

"You two are together?"

Lucien didn't answer.

Elena did.

"No."

Something unreadable crossed Lucien's face.

Adrian noticed.

"So you're protecting her now?"

Lucien looked at him.

"No."

He placed a hand lightly against Elena's back.

"I'm accompanying her."

The simple gesture sent a strange warmth through Elena.

Adrian's expression darkened.

"You've known her for less than a week."

"That's enough."

Vivian stepped forward.

"Adrian, let's leave."

But Adrian didn't move.

His eyes remained fixed on Elena.

"You've changed."

Elena smiled.

"No. You just stopped being important enough for me to pretend."

The words landed harder than she expected.

Adrian went silent.

Lucien looked down at her.

There was something almost approving in his eyes.

Then a waiter approached with a champagne glass.

"Mr. Vale, your table is ready."

Elena looked at him.

"Your table?"

Lucien nodded.

"Yes."

"You're actually staying?"

"I came for dinner."

She glanced at Adrian and Vivian, then back at Lucien.

"With me?"

His mouth curved slightly.

"Unless you'd rather stay here."

Elena looked at the couple who had destroyed her marriage.

Then she slipped her arm through Lucien's.

"I suddenly have no interest in staying here."

As they walked away, Adrian watched them disappear toward the private dining area.

Vivian's fingers tightened around his arm.

"You can't let her do this."

Adrian's eyes remained on Elena.

He didn't answer.

For the first time since their divorce, something unfamiliar twisted painfully inside his chest.

Regret.

And it terrified him.

Because Elena hadn't looked back.

Not once.