Chapter 96
Lena's POV
The text came through at three-fifteen, as I was reviewing Diana's revised brief for the Henderson employment case.
Tonight. We need to talk. —Rowan
I stared at the screen for a long moment, considering my options. I could ignore it, claim I was busy. I could suggest a neutral location, maintain professional distance.
Instead, I typed: Six o'clock. Oak Club?
His response was immediate: I'll be there.
I set the phone down and returned to the brief, though the words blurred slightly. This conversation was inevitable. I'd known it since Sophia had walked into my office yesterday with Colin Summers' name on that legal document.
The question was what I'd say when Rowan confirmed what I already knew.
---
He was waiting outside Oak Club when I arrived, hands in his pockets, silhouette sharp against the evening light. Something tightened in my chest—a reaction I didn't want to examine too closely.
"Lena." He straightened as I approached.
"Rowan."
We stood there for a beat, the air heavy with unspoken words. I was ready to ask about Nexus, to demand an explanation for his interference in my family's affairs. But before I could speak, he said:
"My mother called. She hasn't seen you in weeks. She's asking if we could have dinner at the estate tonight."
I blinked. "I thought we were here to talk about—"
"We can talk there." His voice was carefully neutral. "She's already started cooking. Your favorite dishes, apparently."
The deflection was obvious. The invitation, harder to refuse.
I thought of Isabelle's warmth last time I'd seen her, the way she'd told me I deserved better, that I'd always be family regardless of what happened with Rowan. The memory loosened something in my chest even as my rational mind protested.
"Fine," I heard myself say. "But I'm not staying late. We still need to discuss Nexus."
"I know." His eyes met mine, unreadable. "I promise we'll talk."
---
Isabelle was waiting at the front door when we arrived, and the sight of her—elegant in a cashmere sweater, face lighting up when she saw me—made my throat tighten unexpectedly.
"Finally," she said, pulling me into a hug that smelled like expensive perfume and something warm I couldn't name. "I was starting to think you'd forgotten about me."
"Never," I said, and meant it.
She linked her arm through mine and led me inside, not sparing a glance for Rowan trailing behind us. "Come, I made that salmon you liked. And there's wine. You look like you need wine."
The familiar dining room felt both comforting and strange. I'd eaten here countless times during the marriage, playing the role of dutiful daughter-in-law while my actual mother treated me like a chess piece to be positioned and sacrificed.
Isabelle poured generous glasses of Bordeaux as we settled at the table. "How's the new practice? I heard you're taking on some interesting cases."
"It's going well." I accepted the wine gratefully. "We're building slowly, but we have good clients. Diana's been an excellent partner."
"That's because you have actual principles." Isabelle cut into her salmon with surgical precision. "Unlike certain people who think law is just about maximizing billable hours and kissing up to the right clients."
I glanced at Rowan, who was studying his wine glass with intense focus.
"Speaking of principles," Isabelle continued, her tone sharpening, "I heard about those vicious rumors someone spread about you. Absolutely appalling."
My hand tightened on my fork. "It's been handled."
"Thanks to Rowan, finally using his brain for once." Isabelle looked at her son with a mixture of approval and exasperation. "Though it shouldn't have gotten that far in the first place. All that nonsense with Nora Kane, giving people ammunition to attack you—"
"Mother—" Rowan started.
"I'm not finished." She turned back to me. "At least he had the sense to set the record straight this time. Issue a proper statement, make it clear those accusations were baseless."
"It was actually my mishandling that let it escalate," I said carefully. "I should have taken legal action sooner."
Isabelle waved this away. "Nonsense. You were trying to handle it professionally. It's not your fault some people decided to spread lies." She took a deliberate sip of wine. "Besides, if anyone should be criticized, it's the person who gave them material to work with in the first place."
The implication hung in the air. Rowan's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
"In any case," Isabelle continued, her voice warming slightly, "I'm glad it's resolved. And frankly, even if you were dating someone new, that's your business. You're divorced now. You're entitled to see whoever you want."
Unlike some people who paraded their ex-girlfriend around while still technically married, her tone suggested.
I focused on my salmon, suddenly very interested in the perfect sear on the fish.
"How is Eleanor Park doing?" Isabelle asked, smoothly changing the subject. "I heard you helped her with that investment firm lawsuit. Brilliant work, from what I understand."
"She's well. Strong witness, excellent documentation." I relaxed slightly into safer territory. "The case pretty much made itself once we organized everything properly."
"That's what good lawyers do—make complex situations comprehensible." Isabelle smiled. "Your mother must be proud of your success."
The temperature in the room dropped several degrees.
"Speaking of Vivian," Isabelle continued, her smile not quite reaching her eyes, "I heard about Nexus. Quite the shakeup, from what I understand. Company got acquired rather... decisively."