Chapter 7

Rosalind

The gleaming entrance of The Elysium Plaza loomed before me, its polished brass fixtures reflecting my anxious expression. I adjusted my blouse nervously, trying to look presentable despite my emotional exhaustion. I'd come here to tell Everett the truth about my marriage—not to attend whatever event was clearly happening inside.

"Ms. Blackwell?" A uniformed doorman stepped forward. "Mr. Montgomery's expecting you. Please follow me."

I hesitated. "Is there some kind of party going on?"

"Yes, ma'am. A small gathering for family and close friends."

My stomach knotted. "Is Calloway Montgomery here too?"

The butler smiled reassuringly, completely misinterpreting my dread. "Indeed, Ms. Blackwell. Mr. Calloway should be arriving shortly. Nothing to worry about."

Worry is an understatement, I thought grimly. I'd come here for a private conversation with Everett, not a confrontation with Calloway.

Before I could reconsider, the doors opened to a lavish ballroom. Servers circulated with champagne flutes, and Boston's elite mingled in designer formalwear. I felt woefully underdressed in my simple outfit.

"Ah, Rosalind, sweetheart!" Everett's voice boomed across the room. He sat at the head of an ornate table, his presence commanding even seated. "Come here, come sit with me."

I made my way through the crowd, forcing a smile. "Grandpa Everett, I had no idea there was an event tonight."

"We're celebrating!" he said, patting the seat beside him. "Calloway's uncle just got back to the country after years abroad. It's quite the occasion."

I froze. "Calloway's uncle?"

"Yes, my younger brother's son. Brilliant kid, though he keeps a low profile. Hardly anyone knows he's back," Everett leaned closer, his voice dropping. "I'm only telling you because I trust you won't spread it around. The official announcement comes later."

I nodded mechanically, my mind racing. I'd heard rumors of the other Montgomery heir, the one who'd built his own empire abroad while Calloway enjoyed the domestic privileges. But I'd never met him, and now was certainly not the time I wanted to—not with what I had to tell Everett.

The doors behind me opened, and I didn't need to turn to know who had entered. The sudden tension in the air was enough.

"Rosalind."

My spine stiffened at Calloway's voice. I turned slowly to face him, keeping my expression neutral as his fake smile froze on his face.

"What a surprise," he said, unable to hide the hatred in his eyes. "What brings you to this little gathering?"

I met his gaze coolly. "Grandpa Everett invited me. I came to see him."

Calloway's eyes narrowed, but before he could respond, Everett stepped in.

"Perfect timing, Calloway!" he said. "Join us. I was just telling Rosalind about your uncle's return."

Griffin Montgomery joined us at the table, his considerable bulk settling heavily in his chair. "Dad's really excited. The family's been waiting for my cousin to come back for years."

I watched as Calloway and his father exchanged glances. There was something forced about their smiles, something calculated in their enthusiasm.

Everett looked between us, then his expression brightened with sudden purpose. "You know, Calloway, your uncle's already set a good example for you."

"How so?" Calloway asked.

"He's already married, even though he just got back," Everett said pointedly. "Isn't it about time you and Rosalind made things official?"

I grabbed the hem of my shirt under the table, my knuckles whitening. This was not what I had come here for.

Calloway's smile remained fixed, though his eyes turned glacial. "Whatever you think is best, Grandpa. Your wisdom guides me."

My heart hammered. This was exactly what I'd feared—Calloway pretending to agree, only to trap me in a marriage where he could extract my bone marrow at his leisure.

"And you, sweetheart?" Everett turned to me, beaming. "What do you think?"

All eyes were on me. My mouth opened to refuse, to finally tell the truth about my marriage, but then I met Everett's gaze. His eyes sparkled with such genuine warmth, such hopeful affection. This man had been the closest thing to a loving parent I'd ever known.

The words of refusal died in my throat. How could I destroy that happiness in his eyes?

"I..." I began hesitantly.

Griffin cleared his throat softly, his voice carrying the warm tone of a concerned uncle. "Of course, these decisions can be overwhelming for a young woman. So many things to think about—family stability, financial security..."

He paused to take a sip of wine, his tone staying conversational. "I was just telling Calloway the other day how fragile these old family businesses can be. One pulled contract, one shifted partnership, and decades of work can just vanish. It's heartbreaking, really, watching proud families like yours struggle to stay afloat."

Everett nodded along, completely missing the steel beneath Griffin's silk-wrapped words. "Griffin's absolutely right about the importance of stability, dear."

But I heard every implication. I glanced at Calloway, who was watching me with barely concealed satisfaction, knowing exactly what his father was doing.

The room felt smaller suddenly, the weight of their combined expectation and veiled threats pressing down on me.

"I... I have no problem with it, Grandpa Everett. If Calloway's willing."

I could sense Calloway's triumph, his certainty that I was thrilled and easily manipulated.

"Excellent!" Everett clapped his hands together. "This calls for champagne! I'll have someone start planning the engagement party immediately!"

I bit my lip as if making a tough decision, then spoke softly. "Grandpa Everett, there is just one tiny thing."

The table grew quiet.

My compliance tonight was strategic, not surrender. If Calloway thought he could cage me in this engagement and control me like his personal puppet, he was about to get a very rude awakening.

"Now that we've agreed to this," I continued timidly, "could I maybe ask that Calloway handle his other... relationships? His female friends, I mean."

Calloway's face froze, but his father's expression shifted from tense alertness to visible relief. Griffin's shoulders relaxed slightly, as if he'd been bracing for something far worse to come out of my mouth.

"I don't hold it against him, really," I said, my voice gaining strength. "Men have their needs. I just hope they won't embarrass our marriage so quickly."

The silence around us was deafening. Calloway's face turned scarlet.

"What kind of bullshit accusations are these?" he sputtered. "Rosalind, you dare try to slander me with such lies?"

I batted my eyes, choking out my words as if fighting tears. "Oh, Calloway, I wouldn't say anything if I hadn't seen the videos." I let a tear slip down my cheek for effect. "So many different women. It was quite... educational. But I deleted them, of course. Such things are too painful to keep."

I wiped away the tear and smiled tremulously. "If we're gonna be happy, let's just never talk about this again."

Calloway sneered, clearly convinced I was bluffing. "Videos? What videos are you even talking about? And don't you dare try that pathetic 'Oh, but I deleted them' bullshit on me! If you actually had any real proof, Rosalind, then show it!"

Perfect. This was exactly the reaction I'd counted on.