Chapter 9 - The Year Changed Shape
Odette did not collapse in public. Women like her rarely do.
She smiled, denied, deflected, and called the forged document a misunderstanding caused by “administrative confusion.” Augustus allowed her to finish speaking.
Then he removed her from all trust advisory discussions before dessert.
The matter went to private counsel the next morning.
Odette lost access to Bellweather family offices, foundation records, and household financial systems. Her charity boards distanced themselves quietly. The society women who had repeated her gossip began describing me as “unexpectedly capable,” which sounded like an insult wearing pearls.
Kellan found me in the breakfast room two days later.
I was eating leftover brioche from a new hotel delivery, because victory should be toasted.
He placed a handwritten note beside my plate.
Dinner tonight. Just us. Not a contract obligation.
I stared at it.
“This is unwise.”
“I agree.”
“We have a contract.”
“Yes.”
“We are supposed to divorce in eleven months.”
“I remember.”
“Feelings complicate logistics.”
He sat across from me.
“So does fraud.”
I hated that he had a point.
For the first time, I looked at him without the protective comedy I used to keep everyone manageable. He looked tired, but not cold. Serious, but not empty. A man raised inside negotiations who seemed startled by the possibility of being chosen without strategy.
“I’m not ambitious,” I warned.
“I know.”
“I plan to own coastal bedding.”
“I’ll adjust.”
I should have said no.
May you like
Instead, I reached for toast.
“What time is dinner?”
