Chapter 42

Rose stared

at Stefan, the wedding invitation sample still clutched in her hand. The gold- embossed lettering seemed to mock her now.

"What do you mean, postponed?" Her voice came out too high, too tight.

Stefan loosened his tie, exhaustion etched into every line of his face. "Just what I said. We need to push the wedding back. Until things stabilize with the company.

"Push it back? Push it back?" The invitation crumpled in her grip. "We've sent save-

the-dates to three hundred people. The venue is booked. The deposit is paid!"

"I know." Stefan moved to the bar, pouring himself a drink without offering her one. "My father made it a condition of his help with the company. No distractions. Full focus on saving what's left."

Rose watched him toss back expensive scotch like it was water. The careful control she'd maintained all these years

began to slip."Your father doesn't control our lives."

"He controls the board. He controls the family shares. Right now, he's the only thing standing between me and complete professional ruin." Stefan poured another drink. It's just a few months. Once I save the c

"If you save the company," Rose corrected, her voice laced with venom. "Let's be honest, Stefan. Your business is sinking, and you have no idea who's behind it."

He flinched as if she'd slapped him. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

"I'm being realistic." She advanced on him, the crushed invitation still in her hand. "We've planned this wedding for a year. A year!

York will be there. This is our moment, Stefan. Our

He turned to face her, something hardening in his expression. "My company is crashing. My family legacy is at risk. And you're worried about a

party?" The words came out as a strangled laugh. "Is that what you

his shoulder, but the action broke something loose inside her.

its weight in her hands. "The people I've cultivated.

framed photo of

for her arms, but she twisted away, snatching a bottle from

I did to have you," she

something like suspicion dawning in his

hung between them, dangerous, unanswerable. For a moment, she froze, bottle raised

the marble fireplace, alcohol spraying across family photos, across the custom rug they'd chosen together, across his perfect

her throat. "While you played husband to my pathetic

act of destruction. A crystal paperweight through

away, watching her rampage with growing horror, "Rose, you need to calm down.

"Poor, sweet Camille who everyone loved.

edge she'd never heard before. "She's dead. And you're destroying our home over

of their perfect apartment. Something

dead," Rose agreed, sudden caution

I'm your future. Not your father's company.

in us to postpone now. Too much time. Too much planning. Too many sacrifices." Stefan

"What exactly did you

unexpected and searing. Had he suspected

Rose forced

steady, her mind racing through the implications. "What are you asking me, Stefan?" "Nothing." He looked away, the moment breaking, "Nothing Just.. this isn't the Rose I know." She laughed, the sound brittle and sharp. "Maybe you never

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