Chapter 14 - THE ULTIMATUM
The county jail visiting room smelled of industrial disinfectant and stale coffee.
Adrian sat across the reinforced glass partition, wearing a standard-issue orange jumpsuit that swallowed his once-bespoke frame.
He looked haggard, his skin pale, his eyes hollow and defeated.
When the guard signaled that my ten minutes had begun, I picked up the heavy plastic telephone receiver.
Adrian picked up his receiver with trembling fingers.
“Elise…” he choked out, his voice cracking instantly. “Please… you have to help me.
My bail is set at two million dollars.
My lawyers say if I don't post bond by Monday, I’ll be held here until trial.”
“I didn’t come here to discuss your bail, Adrian,” I said, my voice entirely devoid of emotion.
“Then why are you here?” he wept openly, pressing his palm against the cold glass.
“To settle our divorce terms,” I replied evenly.
“The uncontested papers were delivered to your defense counsel this morning.
You relinquish all claims to the penthouse, all rights to any shared assets, and every last cent of your remaining corporate holdings.”
“That leaves me with nothing!” Adrian shouted, causing a nearby guard to step forward warningly.
“I’ll lose everything! I’ll spend ten years in a federal penitentiary!”
“You chose your path the moment you brought your mistress into my hotel and lied to my face about a bailout,” I reminded him, my gaze piercing right through him.
“You thought grief made me stupid.
You thought you could use my family’s legacy to cover up your financial crimes.”
“Elise, I’m sorry!” Adrian sobbed, tears streaming down his face.
“I was arrogant! I was foolish! I love you—”
“Don’t finish that sentence,” I interrupted coldly.
“It insults the memory of my father, and it insults what little dignity you have left.”
I placed my receiver back onto its cradle.
Adrian banged his fist against the glass, screaming my name as two guards stepped in and pulled him away from the partition.
I turned around and walked out into the crisp autumn air.
May you like
The chapter was closed.
Forever.
