Chapter 5: The Perfect Lie
Chapter 5: The Perfect Lie
At the clinic, doctors confirmed that Elena and the baby were stable.
She was admitted overnight for observation.
Julian sat beside her until Adrian arrived shortly after midnight.
Before entering the room, Julian met him in the corridor.
Adrian wore concern like a tailored suit.
“How is she?”
“Stable.”
“That’s good.”
Julian stepped closer.
“Did you imprison my wife?”
Adrian’s expression did not change.
“Elena has experienced severe trauma. She may believe things that aren’t true.”
“She remembers Camila driving the car.”
“Then ask Camila.”
“I will.”
Adrian sighed.
“Julian, Elena stole confidential documents. She was involved with people who intended to blackmail you.”
“You told me she ran away with another man.”
“That was the information available at the time.”
“Information you provided.”
Adrian lowered his voice.
“You’re emotional. That is understandable. But tomorrow you are scheduled to sign the most important merger of your life. If Elena makes public accusations without evidence, the board could collapse the deal.”
Julian stared at him.
“That is your greatest concern?”
“My concern is protecting what we built.”
Julian allowed several seconds to pass.
Then he looked down as though struggling with himself.
“What if she has evidence?”
Adrian’s gaze sharpened.
“Did she say she does?”
“She mentioned a flash drive.”
For the first time, Adrian’s calm cracked.
“Where is it?”
“She refused to tell me.”
Adrian glanced toward Elena’s room.
Julian stepped in front of the door.
“I need time.”
“We don’t have time.”
“We sign tomorrow night.”
Adrian studied him.
Then his tone softened.
“We have been brothers since we were thirteen. Whatever Elena told you, remember who stood beside you after your father died. Who kept the banks from tearing apart your company? Who sat with you when you believed she had abandoned you?”
Julian forced himself to remain still.
Adrian had done all those things.
That was what made the betrayal so complete.
“I remember,” Julian said.
Adrian placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Get the drive. Let me determine whether it is authentic. Then we can deal with this quietly.”
Julian nodded.
“I’ll convince her.”
Adrian left five minutes later.
When Julian returned to the hospital room, Elena was awake.
“You told him about the drive,” she said.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because now he’ll make a mistake.”
Elena studied him.
“You sounded convincing.”
“I spent eight months convincing myself you stopped loving me.”
Pain moved across her face.
Julian sat down.
“Elena, where is the drive?”
She remained silent.
He leaned closer.
“I won’t give it to him.”
“I know.”
“Then why won’t you tell me?”
“Because the drive isn’t hidden somewhere.”
May you like
Her eyes moved toward the chair where her charcoal-gray housekeeping uniform had been placed inside a plastic bag.
“It has been in front of him the entire time.”
