Chapter 10: The Marriage That Was Supposed To Fail
The words remained in the air.
Your marriage was part of Richard’s plan too.
Elena stared at Alexander.
For the first time since the truth began unfolding, she felt something more painful than anger.
Doubt.
Not because she believed Richard.
Because she was afraid there was a piece of her own life she didn’t understand.
“Alexander,” she whispered.
He looked at her.
His eyes were filled with regret.
“I never wanted you to find out this way.””
Elena felt her heart sink.
“Find out what?””
Alexander looked at his father.
Richard stood silently, watching.
Almost enjoying it.
That was what hurt Elena the most.
He wanted this moment.
He wanted them divided.
Claire stepped forward.
“Richard wanted Alexander to marry someone who would be easy to control.””
Alexander’s face tightened.
“Stop.””
“No,” Claire said.
“You need to hear it.””
Elena looked at Alexander.
“Is it true?””
He didn’t answer immediately.
And that hesitation was enough.
The room became painfully quiet.
“I met you before I knew everything,” Alexander finally said.
Elena shook her head.
“That’s not an answer.””
He closed his eyes.
“The first time I saw you wasn’t at the charity event.””
A cold feeling moved through her.
“Then where?””
“At the company.””
Elena remembered.
Years earlier, she had worked on a financial project connected to Howard International.
She remembered Alexander being there.
A quiet man who seemed different from his family.
Someone who listened.
Someone who helped her.
“You knew who I was?””
“Yes.””
The word hurt.
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because I was ashamed.””
Elena stared.
“Of what?””
Alexander looked at Richard.
“Because my father told me to get close to you.””
Everyone froze.
Even Richard looked surprised.
Not because the accusation was false.
Because Alexander had finally said it aloud.
Elena’s voice became quiet.
“You were sent to me?””
Alexander stepped closer.
“No.””
He shook his head.
“At first, maybe.””
The honesty hurt more than a lie.
“But then I fell in love with you.””
Elena looked away.
She wanted to believe him.
She wanted to remember every moment they shared.
Every morning coffee.
Every late-night conversation.
Every promise.
But now every memory had a shadow.
Richard interrupted.
“This is exactly why I never trusted emotions.””
Alexander turned.
“You used me.””
“I guided you.””
“You manipulated me.””
Richard’s expression hardened.
“I gave you a future.””
Alexander laughed bitterly.
“No. You gave me a prison.””
For years, Alexander had believed he was the person controlling his own life.
Now he realized someone else had been moving the pieces.
Elena looked at Claire.
“How did you find out?””
Claire lowered her eyes.
“I found old documents in the hidden room.””
She opened a folder.
Inside were letters.
Contracts.
Private instructions.
Elena picked one up.
Her hands trembled.
It was Richard’s handwriting.
A plan.
A plan to isolate Alexander.
A plan to control the company.
A plan that included Elena.
She read one sentence.
*Once Alexander trusts her, the company decisions will become easier to influence.*
Her stomach turned.
She looked at Alexander.
“Was I just a strategy?””
His face broke.
“No.””
He stepped closer.
“You became the only person in my life who wasn’t part of my father’s world.””
Elena looked at him.
“Then why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because I was afraid.””
“Afraid of losing me?””
“Yes.””
The answer came immediately.
And that made it worse.
Because Elena knew fear could explain a mistake.
But it could not erase one.
Before anyone could speak, Detective Ruiz received another call.
He listened.
Then his expression changed.
“What happened?”” Elena asked.
Ruiz looked at Richard.
“We found another document.””
Richard’s face went pale.
“What document?””
Ruiz didn’t answer.
He looked at Elena.
“A document showing Richard wasn’t only planning to control Howard International.””
He paused.
“He was planning to remove Alexander too.””
Alexander froze.
“What?””
Ruiz continued.
“The original plan was never for Alexander to lead the company.””
Richard said nothing.
Because for the first time, silence was not protecting him.
It was exposing him.
Elena looked at Richard.
“You were willing to destroy your own son.””
Richard finally spoke.
“I was willing to save my legacy.””
Then the mansion’s security alarm suddenly activated.
A loud siren filled the room.
Everyone turned.
A guard rushed inside.
“Detective!””
Ruiz stepped forward.
“What happened?””
The guard looked terrified.
“Someone broke into the private archive.””
Elena felt a chill.
“What archive?””
The guard looked at her.
“The one where the original Howard family records were kept.””
Richard’s expression changed.
May you like
Because he knew exactly what was there.
And Elena realized someone was still trying to erase the truth.
