Chapter 7: A Different Name
Six weeks later, I was living in the guest wing of his estate under a different name.
Three months later, I was directing the public health division of the Hayes Foundation.
Five months later, Adrian sued me for “fraudulent abandonment” and accused me of stealing from him.
He arrived at court in a charcoal suit, smiling like a man attending someone else’s funeral.
Celeste clung to his arm.
His mother stood behind them in pearls, calm and venomous as ever.
“You look tired, Mara,” Adrian said outside the courthouse. “Poverty suits you.”
I glanced down at my simple black coat.
“Does it?”
Celeste’s eyes flickered toward my stomach.
Not visible yet.
Not enough.
Adrian leaned closer.
“You should have signed quietly. Now I’ll destroy whatever pride you have left.”
I looked past him at the cameras gathered near the courthouse steps.
“You always did enjoy an audience,” I said. Continue Reading ⬇️
