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!

in New York will be there. This is our moment, Stefan.

company is crashing. My family legacy is at

strangled laugh. "Is that what you think this is? Just a

broke something loose

from the side table, feeling its weight in her hands. "The people I've cultivated. The

shattered against the wall inches from his head, water and flowers exploding across imported wallpaper. Stefan stared at her, shock replacing exhaustion. "Jesus, Rase! What's wrong with you?" "What's wrong with me?" She seized a framed photo of them, ripping it from the wall. "What's wrong with you? First you let someone

grabbed for her arms, but she twisted

to have you," she hissed,

like suspicion dawning in his eyes. "What exactly did

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

bottle smashed against the marble fireplace, alcohol spraying across family photos, across the custom rug they'd chosen

throat. "While you played husband to my pathetic

accompanied another act of destruction. A crystal paperweight through

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

screamed, the name like poison on her tongue. "Poor, sweet Camille who everyone loved. Camille who got everything handed to

heard before. "She's dead.

breathing hard, surrounded by the wreckage of their perfect apartment. Something in

sudden caution threading through

Not your father's company.

broken glass crunching under her designer heels. "I've invested too much in us to postpone now. Too much time. Too

exactly did you do,

and searing. Had he suspected all along? Had he seen through

Rose forced

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

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