Chapter 19
Two years later, Adeline found herself married to a man she sometimes didn’t recognize.[]
The proposal had been romantic enough, a surprise during a weekend getaway to the Hamptons. But even as she’d said yes, she’d noticed how quickly Tristan had moved to photographing the ring, posting it to social media with captions about “power couples” and “building an empire together.“]]
Their wedding had been a networking event disguised as a romantic celebration, filled with clients and colleagues she barely knew. Her parents had looked lost among the Manhattan elite, and her mother had quietly asked her if she was happy.]
“Of course I’m happy,” she’d answered automatically, though the words felt hollow.[]
Now, sitting in their home office–Tristan’s home office, really, since her own career had somehow evaporated in the face of his expanding empire–she stared at an email from Harmonex Group.]
They were offering her a position as a project manager, something that would finally give her professional identity back. The salary was excellent, the work challenging, and most importantly, it was hers.]]
“Why not? It’s a good opportunity.“]]
“Because Harmonex competes with some of my clients. It’s a conflict of interest.” He didn’t look up from his own laptop. “Besides, I’m about to close the Ansonic deal. That’ll bring in enough that you won’t need to work for anyone else.“[]
“What if I want to work for someone else?“]
“Why would you want that when you could work with me? I’m putting together a new venture. You could be my partner.“[]
But she’d heard this promise before, and somehow her role always ended up being decorative rather than substantive.[]
“I’m taking the Harmonex position,” she said quietly.[]
Tristan–she found it increasingly difficult to think of him as Tristan anymore–finally looked up. His expression was a mixture of surprise and irritation.]
“We’re married, Adeline. We make decisions together. As a team.“[]
“This is my decision to make.“[]
“Everything you do reflects on me now. On us. I need you to think about the bigger picture.“[]
The bigger picture. His picture. When had her dreams become subordinate to his vision?]
But she was tired of fighting, tired of feeling like she was losing pieces of herself with every compromise. So she took the job.]]
And for a while, things were better. She threw herself into her work at Harmonex, building relationships with her team, proving her worth through results rather than connections.[]
Tristan seemed to accept her decision, even took pride in her successes when they came up in social conversations.[]
“My wife is brilliant,” he’d tell people. “She’s really making her mark at Harmonex.“]
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Chapter 19
She should have realized he was planning something else entirely.[]
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy DaisyNovel. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.