Chapter 10 - CHLOE’S VERSION OF THE TRUTH
Chloe confronted Julian that night.
She waited inside the Sterling penthouse wearing the white silk robe she had packed for their honeymoon.
The honeymoon had been canceled.
Julian had blamed the company.
They both knew the company had nothing to do with it.
He entered shortly after ten.
Chloe stood beside the fireplace.
“You held him.”
Julian removed his coat.
“How do you know?”
“So you did.”
He looked at her.
“Were you having me followed?”
“Photographers are outside Elena’s house.”
“They shouldn’t be.”
“You don’t control the press.”
“I used to think you did.”
Chloe’s eyes narrowed.
Julian walked past her.
“I saw the original fertility email.”
There was no point easing into it.
Chloe became still.
“You invaded my account.”
“I accessed company archives.”
“Without telling me.”
“Yes.”
“I’m your wife.”
“You were my employee when the document was altered.”
Her face tightened.
“I summarized it.”
“You removed the sentence stating natural conception remained possible.”
“Because the specialist said her chances were low.”
“That is not the same as infertile.”
“You already believed she couldn’t have children.”
“Because you told me.”
Chloe laughed.
“Oh, please.”
Julian stared.
“You spent years complaining that Elena refused fertility treatment.”
“She wanted more time.”
“And you hated that.”
“I was frustrated.”
“You told me you needed an heir.”
“I told my wife.”
“You told everyone.”
“No.”
Julian stepped closer.
“I told you.”
Chloe looked away.
He continued.
“You knew how much that mattered to me.”
“And?”
“You used it.”
Her head snapped toward him.
“I helped you see reality.”
“You helped create a version of reality.”
“Julian, Elena was weak.”
“No.”
“She was.”
“She challenged me.”
“Exactly.”
“That isn’t weakness.”
Chloe laughed bitterly.
“You are rewriting history already.”
“Maybe.”
“Because she gave you a son.”
“Because I started checking facts.”
That silenced her.
Julian placed a folder on the table.
Chloe stared at it.
“What is that?”
“Invoices.”
Her expression changed almost imperceptibly.
“From what?”
“Three public-relations vendors you approved.”
“I approve hundreds.”
“These three share a registration address.”
“So?”
“The address belongs to a holding company controlled by your brother.”
Chloe went pale.
Julian continued.
“Fourteen million dollars over eighteen months.”
“You think I stole from you?”
“I think you have explaining to do.”
“I moved money through vendors because some campaigns required discretion.”
“Without board disclosure.”
“You told me to fix problems.”
“I didn’t tell you to hide payments.”
She stared.
Then something in Chloe cracked.
“I built you.”
Julian’s face hardened.
“No.”
“I protected you.”
“You worked for me.”
“I protected you from every scandal Elena almost caused.”
Julian stepped closer.
“What scandals?”
“Her emails.”
“What emails?”
“Her questions about the acquisitions.”
“She was right about two of them.”
“Her concerns about your accounts.”
“She was right about those too.”
Chloe’s face twisted.
“You sound like her.”
“Maybe that should bother you.”
“You ungrateful bastard.”
It was the first time she had ever spoken to him that way.
Julian almost welcomed it.
At least it was real.
Chloe grabbed the folder.
“You married me.”
“Yes.”
“You stood in a cathedral and promised me a life.”
“Yes.”
“And now you’re investigating me because your ex-wife produced a convenient heir?”
Julian’s voice lowered.
“My son is not convenient.”
Chloe threw the folder onto the floor.
“You will regret choosing her.”
“I haven’t chosen her.”
“You already did.”
“No.”
Julian looked at his wedding ring.
“I chose you yesterday.”
May you like
Then he looked up.
“I’m beginning to wonder why.”
