Chapter 15 - VICTORIA’S LAST MOVE
Victoria watched the board meeting results from a hotel room.
By noon, every major financial outlet reported Eleanor’s removal.
Northstar Meridian’s lenders began calling.
Richard Cole disappeared behind attorneys.
And Elena Sterling was suddenly being praised for offering financing without control rights.
Victoria threw the remote across the room.
She had lost the story.
But she still had one weapon.
A phone.
For months, she had saved private messages from Julian.
Complaints about his marriage.
Arguments with Elena.
Moments of frustration.
Nothing criminal.
Nothing shocking.
But enough to embarrass him.
Victoria selected screenshots carefully.
Then she sent them to a gossip reporter.
Twenty minutes later, the story appeared.
JULIAN VANCE CALLED MARRIAGE TO STERLING HEIRESS “A MISTAKE” MONTHS BEFORE SCANDAL.
Elena saw the headline during lunch.
She opened the article.
The messages were real.
One read.
I LOVE HER, BUT SOMETIMES I THINK MARRYING INTO ALL THIS FAMILY DRAMA WAS A MISTAKE.
The irony almost made Elena smile.
Julian had written it before he knew who her family was.
Another said.
ELENA NEVER LETS ANYTHING GO.
SHE REMEMBERS EVERY COMMENT MOM MAKES.
Elena closed the article.
Thomas watched her.
“Do you want me to have legal contact the publisher?”
“No.”
“Are the messages false?”
“No.”
Thomas nodded.
“Then there is nothing to fight.”
Elena appreciated that about him.
He never tried to rescue her from truth.
Across town, Julian read the same article.
He knew immediately who had leaked the messages.
But he did not call Victoria.
He called Elena.
She answered after several rings.
“I saw it.”
“So did I.”
“I am sorry.”
“For writing it or for it becoming public?”
Julian paused.
“Both.”
Elena walked toward the window.
“You were allowed to be frustrated with me.”
“I spoke about you to Victoria.”
“Yes.”
“That was stupid.”
“Yes.”
Julian almost laughed.
Then his voice became serious.
“I am not going to defend those messages.”
“I meant them when I wrote them.”
Elena appreciated that more than an excuse.
He continued.
“But I also used you as the reason I was uncomfortable confronting my family.”
“That was unfair.”
“Yes.”
Silence stretched between them.
Then Julian said something Elena did not expect.
“I filed for a temporary separation agreement this morning.”
She turned away from the window.
“Why?”
“Because I do not want you wondering whether I am doing any of this to pressure you into coming home.”
His voice was steady.
“You deserve the freedom to decide what happens next without me standing at your door.”
Elena closed her eyes.
For the first time since the dinner, Julian had given her exactly what she needed.
Space.
Without conditions.
“Thank you.”
Julian swallowed.
May you like
“You are welcome.”
Neither of them said goodbye easily.
