Chapter 8 - THE APOLOGY WITH A CONDITION
I told the surveyors to leave.
They did.
The locksmith arrived an hour later.
I changed the access codes, replaced the management keys, and sent written instructions to every contractor.
Nobody entered without my approval.
For the first time since the video, I felt something besides hurt.
Useful anger.
Adrien called while I was standing in the courtyard.
“I heard you embarrassed a crew.”
“I stopped unauthorized work.”
“They were gathering measurements.”
“For a sale you knew I was disputing.”
“Willa, listen to yourself.”
“No. Listen to me. Your office no longer has access.”
He went quiet.
Then his voice softened.
“I handled this badly.”
I closed my eyes.
For one weak second, I wanted that sentence to be enough.
“I should have told you about Clare’s situation.”
“You should have asked whether I wanted to sell.”
“I know.”
“And you should have come home on our anniversary.”
“I know.”
I could almost hear the man I had married.
Then he added, “Come home and we can settle all of it privately.”
“How?”
“I’ll increase your proceeds from the sale.”
My eyes opened.
“You’re still trying to buy my agreement.”
“I’m trying to repair this.”
“Then stop the sale.”
“I can’t.”
“You mean you won’t.”
“There are obligations.”
“Your obligations.”
He ended the call.
That afternoon, a gossip account posted my photograph.
The caption said I had walked out after learning that Adrien had helped a longtime friend.
Jealous wife.
Public tantrum.
A demand for a more expensive gift.
There was no mention of Mercer House.
June read the comments before I could.
“Put your phone down.”
I didn’t.
Someone called me a gold digger beneath a picture taken at my father’s funeral.
Someone else said women like me got greedy once they married money.
Naomi called.
“Don’t respond tonight. We’re preserving the posts.”
“My tenants are seeing this.”
“We’ll address facts with facts.”
I tried to stand.
Pain pulled low across my abdomen.
Then I saw a small stain on my clothes.
June’s expression changed immediately.
“Willa?”
I pressed a hand to my stomach.
She reached for her keys.
May you like
As we left, my phone lit up with a message from Adrien.
Sign the release, and my office can make the story disappear.
