Chapter 4 - The Mistress’s Regret
By the end of the week, the name Vale was toxic waste in the business world.
The news of the FBI raid on Vale Heritage dominated the financial networks. Graham’s assets were entirely frozen by the federal government pending investigation. Their credit was destroyed, their reputation in ruins.
I watched it all unfold from the serenity of my newly purchased penthouse, sipping black coffee.
According to Julian's private investigators, the fallout within the Vale family was spectacular. Without the mansion, Adrian had moved Serena into a cramped two-bedroom apartment near the airport, paid for with the last of his personal savings.
It didn't take long for the illusion to shatter.
Serena had fallen in love with Adrian Vale, the billionaire heir. She had zero interest in Adrian Vale, the unemployed felon facing federal prison.
The security footage from my building's lobby caught the confrontation perfectly on a rainy Tuesday afternoon.
The intercom buzzed. "Ms. Mercer," the doorman’s voice crackled. "Adrian Vale is downstairs. He's begging to see you. Should I call the police?"
"No," I said, setting my coffee cup down. "Let him up. Send security with him, though. Have them wait right outside my door."
Three minutes later, my front door opened.
Adrian looked destroyed. The bespoke suits were gone, replaced by a wrinkled button-down shirt. He hadn't shaved in days. Dark bags hung under his eyes, and he reeked of cheap alcohol and desperation.
He stepped into the massive foyer, looking around at the original artwork and marble floors with a mixture of awe and deep resentment.
"Claire," he croaked, taking a step toward me.
I stayed seated on the velvet sofa, crossing my legs. "You have five minutes, Adrian. Make them count."
He fell to his knees. It was a pathetic, theatrical display.
"I'm sorry," he sobbed, burying his face in his hands. "I was an idiot. I was manipulated! My parents, they put so much pressure on me about the heir, about the bloodline. And Serena... she trapped me, Claire! She lied about being on birth control!"
I watched him cry, feeling absolutely nothing. No pity. No anger. Just a profound sense of disgust.
"She trapped you?" I repeated slowly. "Did she trap your mouth onto hers while I was bleeding out on the rug? Did she force your father to kick my broken ribs? Did she make you stand there and tell me to leave quietly?"
Adrian looked up, his face red and wet. "I panicked! I didn't know what to do! Please, Claire. Serena left me. She packed her bags this morning and went back to her ex-boyfriend when she realized my accounts were frozen. I have nothing. My dad is facing twenty years. My mom won't stop screaming. You're the only good thing I ever had."
"I was the only thing holding you up," I corrected him. "And you threw me away because you thought I was broken."
He tried to crawl closer, reaching for my ankle. "I love you. We can start over. We can build Mercer together! You don't have to be alone!"
I stood up quickly, disgusted by his touch. "I am not alone, Adrian. I have myself. I have my dignity. And I have the empire that was supposed to be yours."
I walked over to the door and opened it. Two massive security guards stepped into the frame, glaring down at Adrian.
"I signed the divorce papers, Adrian. They were filed this morning. I took the liberty of paying the filing fees, since I know you're short on cash," I said, my voice dripping with ice. "You wanted an heir so badly. Now you have nothing to pass down to him but a disgraced name and a prison sentence."
"Claire, please!" he screamed as the guards hoisted him up by his armpits. "You can't do this! I'm your husband!"
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"I don't have a husband," I said, staring him dead in the eye. "I am barren trash, remember? Throw the trash out, gentlemen."
I closed the heavy oak door on his screams, shutting him out of my life forever.
