Chapter 3 - THIS WAS YOUR BUSINESS TRIP?Adrian changed strategy.
Denial had failed too quickly.
So he moved to minimization.
He told Claire Elena was “a mistake.”
A short affair.
Something that happened when Claire and Adrian had “been going through problems.”
Claire stared.
“What problems?”
Adrian’s eyes flicked.
“You were constantly working.”
“So you started another family?”
“It wasn’t like that.”
Elena stepped into doorway.
“Tell her about the crib.”
Adrian closed his eyes briefly.
“Elena.”
“Tell her.”
“You were emotional.”
“I was pregnant.”
“You were pushing me.”
“To what?”
“For commitment.”
Elena laughed in disbelief.
“You asked me to move in.”
Claire turned.
“You asked her?”
Adrian:
“Claire, please understand context.”
“I am asking questions.”
“You’re humiliating me in front of your family.”
That was extraordinary.
Claire looked past him.
One hundred guests waited behind closed ballroom doors.
He was worried about humiliation.
“What did you tell Elena about this weekend?”
“Business.”
Elena answered.
“Four-day meeting.”
Claire:
“And Wednesday?”
“She says you left Providence.”
Adrian’s jaw tightened.
“That doesn’t mean—”
“Were you there?”
Silence.
“Were you with her Wednesday morning?”
“Yes.”
It was first truth.
Claire’s face changed.
Adrian immediately moved closer.
“It was over.”
Elena:
“You slept in my bed Tuesday night.”
Adrian turned sharply.
“Elena, stop.”
Claire felt nausea.
“Tuesday?”
Two nights before rehearsal dinner.
Adrian had told Claire he was staying in New York for legal meeting.
He returned Thursday afternoon.
He kissed Claire’s forehead and complained about flight delays.
Claire asked:
“Did you sleep with her this week?”
Adrian:
“Claire.”
“Yes or no.”
“Yes.”
No one spoke.
Claire’s mother Margaret appeared at end of corridor.
She had left ballroom after noticing time.
William followed.
Claire held up hand.
“Give me a minute.”
Her father stopped.
Adrian saw William.
Panic deepened.
“Mr. Beaumont, please—”
William ignored him.
Claire:
“When did you learn Elena was pregnant?”
“January.”
Elena laughed.
“December nineteenth.”
Adrian looked furious.
Claire:
“Were we engaged?”
“Yes.”
“Did you consider ending engagement?”
“I was confused.”
“You seem to use that word a lot.”
He stared.
She continued:
“Did you ever intend to leave me for Elena?”
“No.”
Elena looked as if slapped.
Adrian rushed:
“Because I love you, Claire.”
Claire’s voice became quiet.
“Then what did you intend to do with her?”
Adrian couldn’t answer.
Elena did.
“He told me we were getting married.”
Claire looked.
“When?”
“After baby.”
Adrian:
“I never formally proposed.”
Elena pulled phone.
“You sent me rings.”
“That was a conversation.”
“You asked which one I liked.”
“That is not proposal.”
Claire stared at him.
The distinction was sociopathic in its precision.
You could tell two women they were futures and later hide behind wording.
Elena’s hands shook.
“You said once this Boston deal closed, we could move.”
Claire heard phrase again.
Boston deal.
“What deal?”
Adrian looked at her.
“Nothing.”
Elena:
“He said he was finalizing one transaction that would change our finances permanently.”
Claire’s eyes narrowed.
“What transaction?”
“I don’t know.”
“He said after that he wouldn’t have to travel as much.”
Adrian stepped in.
“She misunderstood.”
Claire thought of a document Adrian had sent three days ago.
An addendum to their marital financial agreement.
He had told her it was routine.
Her attorney had not finished review.
Adrian insisted they could sign after ceremony.
Claire suddenly looked toward Julian.
“Where is Martin?”
“Which Martin?”
“Martin Feld. My attorney.”
Julian’s expression changed.
“He’s downstairs.”
“Bring him.”
Adrian reacted immediately.
“Claire, this has nothing to do with legal documents.”
The speed of his answer confirmed it might.
She turned.
“Why are you worried?”
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
“Your family will turn a private mistake into corporate litigation.”
Claire stared.
“Was that Boston deal our marriage?”
Adrian’s eyes flashed.
“No.”
“Then you won’t mind my attorney reviewing everything.”
He moved closer.
“Claire, please. We were about to marry.”
“Yes.”
“One step.”
“Yes.”
“Don’t let Elena decide our future.”
Claire looked at pregnant woman.
“Elena didn’t make you lie to me Tuesday.”
He had no answer.
“And she didn’t make you tell her I was a client.”
Silence.
“And she certainly did not make you tell me she was a stranger.”
Adrian’s face hardened.
For the first time, Claire saw anger beneath charm.
He whispered:
“You are making a mistake.”
Claire’s eyes went cold.
May you like
“No.”
“I almost did.”
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