Chapter 6 - The Blackmail
I woke up the next morning feeling like I was floating.
Adrian and I hadn't spoken about the kiss on the ride home, but the silence had been heavy with unspoken promises.
I went to the kitchen to make coffee, only to find the television blaring.
Adrian was standing in front of the kitchen island, gripping the marble counter so hard his knuckles were white.
On the screen was a breaking news report on a gossip channel.
“Is the Billionaire's Engagement a Sham?” read the headline.
My heart dropped to my stomach.
The reporter was playing an audio recording.
It was Marcus’s voice.
"It's a fake," Marcus was saying. "Kane hired my ex-wife to play his fiancée so he could secure his grandfather's trust fund. I have proof of their contract."
I gasped, dropping my coffee mug. It shattered on the floor.
Adrian spun around, his face a mask of pure fury.
"How did he get the contract?" I panicked.
"One of my board members," Adrian snarled. "Charles. He's been trying to oust me for years."
"He must have hired a private investigator, found Marcus, and they hacked my lawyer's server."
My phone started buzzing violently.
Texts from friends, colleagues, reporters.
"Adrian, the trust..." I stammered. "If they prove this is a business arrangement, you lose everything."
"You lose Kane Global. You lose the company you built."
"I don't care about the company right now," he said, walking over and grabbing my shoulders.
"I care about you and Mia. The press is going to camp outside. It's going to be brutal."
"Marcus is filing an emergency custody motion based on 'fraudulent living conditions'."
I felt the room spin.
Because of me, Adrian was going to lose his empire.
Because of my toxic past, Marcus was weaponizing my daughter.
I couldn't let that happen.
"I have to go," I whispered, tears spilling down my cheeks.
"What? No." Adrian's grip tightened.
"Adrian, if I leave, if I take the blame and say I blackmailed you... the board will spare you."
"Are you insane?" he shouted, his composure shattering.
"I am not letting you sacrifice yourself! I am not letting him take Mia!"
"You have to," I sobbed, pulling away from him.
"You gave me a chance when I had nothing. I won't be the reason you lose your legacy."
I ran to my room and started throwing clothes into a bag.
Mia was at school. I had to get her and disappear.
Adrian stood in the doorway, his chest heaving.
"Lily, if you walk out that door, you break my heart."
I froze.
He had never said anything like that before.
May you like
"Please," I cried. "Let me save you."
"You already did," he replied quietly. "Now let me fight for us."
