Chapter 6
I hadn’t intended to cause a scene. I just wanted to finish the dinner and leave on good terms. But when I realized Serena Sinclair had brought Lucas Stone here to further her agenda, my patience wore thin.
“What do you mean, pulling out of Charleston? Why wasn’t I informed?”
One of the partners glanced at me before replying, “Elias didn’t tell you? Tonight’s dinneris a farewell party. We’re not sure when we’ll
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One of the partners glanced at me before replying, “Elias didn’t tell you? Tonight’s dinner is a farewell party. We’re not sure when we’ll collaborate again.”
Serena shot up from her chair, storming toward me with wide eyes. “Elias, what does he mean? Are you really moving Ford Enterprises
overseas?”
I met her gaze, drained my glass of wine, and stood up. “Thank you all for your support over the years. Hopefully, we’ll meet again someday.”
I turned to leave, but Serena grabbed my arm, her voice trembling with anger and disbelief. “You’re not leaving until you explain yourself! When did you decide this? Why am I the last to know?”
I pulled my arm free, suppressing my frustration. “Now you know. Isn’t that enough?” My voice was cold and final.
Seeing my indifference, Serena’s fury boiled over. She grabbed a wine bottle from the table and hurled it at me.
I wasn’t quick enough to dodge. The bottle shattered against my head, and blood immediately streamed down my face.
I collapsed, barely caught by Adrian Starr as gasps echoed around the room.
Serena, now panicked, screamed for help. “Call an ambulance, now!”
My vision blurred, the room spinning as voices grew faint. My eyelids felt impossibly heavy.
When we reached the hospital, I fought to stay conscious long enough for the doctors to ask for a family member to sign the consent form.
I weakly tugged at Adrian’s shirt. “You… sign it.”
Serena, her voice full of desperation, rushed to my bedside. “Elias, I’m your wife. Even now, are you still going to shut me out?”
I waved her off weakly, my voice a whisper. “You’re not my wife anymore. In my heart, you’re already my ex–wife.”
As darkness overtook me, I heard her hysterical voice one last time: “I don’t agree to a divorce! I won’t let this happen!”
