Chapter 55 Impossible Choices

Chapter 55 Impossible Choices

POV: Elizabeth

I spent three sleepless nights wrestling with Sophia's ultimatum before I realized there had to be another way.

Telling Royce meant condemning my father to twenty years in prison. Staying silent meant watching Sophia destroy the man I loved. Neither option was acceptable.

So I chose a third option. One so desperate and potentially insane that I almost talked myself out of it a dozen times.

I was going to make a deal with Helen Morrison.

The federal detention center looked exactly as cold and unwelcoming as I remembered. I signed in as a visitor, went through security screening, and sat in the visitation room waiting for them to bring Helen out.

She appeared ten minutes later wearing an orange jumpsuit that somehow still looked elegant on her. Her blonde hair was pulled back, no makeup, but she carried herself like she was walking into a board meeting rather than a prison visit.

Helen's eyes widened slightly when she saw me. Then she smiled.

"Elizabeth Wakefield. What a delightful surprise."

She sat down across from me, the thick glass partition between us, and picked up the phone on her side.

"To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?"

I picked up my phone, my hand trembling slightly.

"I need your help."

Helen's smile widened.

"Now this should be interesting. The woman who helped put me in here needs my help. The irony is delicious."

"Sophia Sterling is your partner," I said bluntly. "You gave her five percent of Sterling Corp stock three months ago. She's been working with you to destroy Royce."

"Allegedly." Helen's expression gave nothing away. "But let's say hypothetically this is true. What would you want me to do about it?"

"I have proof of your partnership. A recording of you and Sophia planning Royce's destruction. But if I use it to expose Sophia, she'll retaliate by providing false evidence that frames my father for conspiracy. He'll get twenty years instead of five."

"Your father." Helen tilted her head thoughtfully. "Poor Robert. I did exploit his guilt rather shamelessly. He was so easy to manipulate."

"Will you help me or not?"

"That depends. What exactly are you proposing?"

I took a deep breath.

"I testify on your behalf at your sentencing hearing. I tell the judge you were manipulated by Sophia, that she was the real architect of the conspiracy. I help reduce your sentence from life to something manageable."

"In exchange for?"

"Evidence that clears my father completely. Proof that he was an unwitting pawn, not a conspirator. And evidence of Sophia's actual role in everything that removes her as a threat."

Helen leaned back, studying me with obvious amusement.

"You're asking me to betray my business partner and help the family that helped convict me. That's quite a big ask, Elizabeth."

"You don't owe Sophia any loyalty. She's using your imprisonment to take control of Sterling Corp herself. If you help me stop her, at least you get the satisfaction of revenge."

"Revenge." Helen rolled the word around like she was tasting it. "I do enjoy revenge. But Elizabeth, what makes you think I have the evidence you need?"

"Because you're Helen Morrison. You document everything. You keep insurance on everyone you work with. You have files on Sophia somewhere, just like you had files on everyone else."

Helen's smile confirmed I was right.

"Perhaps I do. But even if I provide this evidence, it doesn't help me much. I'm still facing decades in prison."

"That's why I'm offering to testify on your behalf. Reduce your sentence, maybe get you out in ten years instead of life."

"Ten years is still a long time." Helen tapped her perfectly manicured nails on the counter. Even in prison, she maintained standards. "I need more. Something that makes this worth my while."

"What do you want?"

Helen's eyes glittered.

"When I'm released, whenever that is, I want a job. At Sterling Corp. Working for Royce Sterling."

I stared at her, certain I'd misheard.

"You want Royce to hire you? After everything you've done to him?"

"I want the chance to rebuild my reputation in the business world. And what better way than to work for the company I once tried to destroy? It shows rehabilitation. Growth. Plus the irony would be absolutely delicious."

Helen leaned forward.

"That's my price, Elizabeth. You convince Royce Sterling to hire me upon my release, and I'll give you everything you need to destroy Sophia and save your father."

"He'll never agree to that."

"Then I guess your father serves twenty years." Helen shrugged. "Your choice."

I closed my eyes, thinking it through. Convincing Royce to hire the woman who'd tried to kill him, who'd orchestrated attacks on everyone he loved, who'd nearly destroyed his company. It was impossible.

But it was also my only option.

"If I agree, I need the evidence now. Before I approach Royce about hiring you."

"Smart girl. Trust but verify." Helen nodded. "I'll have my lawyer deliver the files to you within forty-eight hours. Complete documentation of Sophia's involvement, proof your father was manipulated, everything you need. But Elizabeth, if Royce doesn't hire me, if you back out of our deal, I'll make sure that evidence disappears and Sophia's false testimony about your father goes straight to the prosecutor."

"Fine." The word tasted like poison. "We have a deal."

"Excellent."

Helen stood, preparing to leave.

"You know, Elizabeth, you're more like me than you want to admit. Willing to make morally questionable deals to protect the people you love. That's how empires are built. And how they fall."

She hung up the phone and walked away, leaving me sitting in the visitation room wondering what I'd just agreed to.

Two days later, a package arrived at my parents' house. Helen's lawyer had delivered as promised. Inside were documents, recordings, emails. Everything proved Sophia Sterling had been Helen's partner from the beginning. Everything proved my father had been nothing more than a manipulated pawn.

I spent hours reviewing it all, building my case.

Then I called Royce.

"Can we meet?" I asked. "I have something important to tell you."

"Of course. When?"

"Tomorrow. Somewhere private. Just us."

"My office?"

I almost said yes, then hesitated. Sophia had made herself too comfortable at Sterling Corp.

"No. Somewhere neutral. That coffee shop on Fifth we used to go to?"

"I'll be there. Elizabeth, are you okay? You sound.."

"I'm fine. I'll explain everything tomorrow."

I hung up before he could ask more questions.

Tomorrow I'd tell him about Sophia. Show him the evidence. Expose her completely.

And then somehow convince him to hire Helen Morrison.

But before tomorrow came, my phone buzzed with a notification.

A social media post from Sophia Sterling.

My stomach dropped as I read it.

Dinner party tonight at the penthouse! Celebrating new beginnings and old connections. #SterlingCorp #ReunitedAndItFeelsSoGood

The photo showed Sophia at what was clearly Royce's penthouse, wearing a stunning red dress, surrounded by people I recognized from Sterling Corp's executive team. And in the background, looking uncomfortable but present, was Royce.

I scrolled to the comments. Hundreds already, most congratulatory.

Then I saw it. Sophia's own comment, pinned to the top.

Some loves are worth fighting for. Royce and I are re-exploring our relationship. So grateful for second chances.

Re-exploring their relationship.

My phone slipped from my numb fingers.

She'd beaten me.

While I'd been making deals with Helen and gathering evidence, Sophia had made her move publicly. Declared her intentions in a way that would humiliate me if I tried to expose her now.

I looked like the jealous ex-girlfriend trying to destroy her replacement with false accusations. She looked like the sophisticated woman who'd won back her ex-husband.

My phone rang.

Marcus.

"Please tell me you didn't see Sophia's Instagram post," he said immediately.

"I saw it."

"Liz, it's a manipulation. She's trying to force your hand, make you look desperate if you come forward now."

"I know." My voice sounded dead even to my own ears. "Marcus, I have evidence. Real evidence that Sophia is working with Helen. But if I show it to Royce now, right after she's publicly announced they're together.."

"It looks like you're making it up out of jealousy." Marcus swore. "She's backed you into a corner perfectly."

"I need to go to that party."

"What?"

"If Sophia is announcing their relationship publicly, I need to be there. Need to see Royce's reaction. Need to know if he's actually going along with this or if she's manipulating the narrative."

"That's a terrible idea."

"I don't care. Text me the address."

An hour later I stood outside Royce's penthouse building, wearing the nicest dress I owned and feeling completely out of place.

The doorman recognized me.

"Miss Wakefield. Are you here for the party?"

"Yes."

He looked uncertain.

"I'll need to check with Mr. Sterling.."

"It's fine, Thomas."

Sophia appeared in the lobby, radiant in her red dress.

"Elizabeth is welcome. After all, we're all adults here."

She linked her arm through mine like we were old friends. Her grip was tight enough to bruise.

"This should be interesting," she murmured. "Crashing your ex-boyfriend's party while he's publicly reuniting with his wife. You're braver than I thought."

"I'm here to see Royce."

"Of course you are. Just like I'm here to claim what's mine." Sophia's smile was poison. "Did you make your decision about your father? Because twenty-four hours is almost up."

The elevator doors opened to the penthouse. Music. Voices. The clink of champagne glasses.

And there, surrounded by executives and board members, looking trapped and miserable, was Royce.

His eyes found mine immediately. Shock. Then hope. Then something complicated I couldn't read.

Sophia released my arm and walked into the room, her voice carrying over the music.

"Everyone! I have an announcement to make. Some of you may remember that Royce and I were married years ago. Well, I'm thrilled to share that we've decided to give love a second chance. Royce and I are officially together again!"

The room erupted in congratulations and applause.

Royce's face went white.

And I stood frozen in the elevator, watching my worst nightmare become reality.