The Orchestrated Lie

Chapter 17

Chapter Seventeen

“Ms. Hartfield, your new account is now active. The balance has been transferred as per Mr. Ashford’s instructions.”

The banker’s words hung in the air as I stared at the document in front of me, the number on the screen so absurdly large it didn’t feel real.

"That’s not my money," I said flatly, pushing the paper away.

"Actually, it is," Stefan’s voice drawled from the doorway of the private office. He stepped inside, adjusting his cufflinks as if he hadn’t just casually changed the trajectory of my life.

I turned to him, my eyes narrowing. "What the hell is this?"

"It’s what you deserve," he replied, taking a seat across from me. His tone was calm, but there was a dangerous edge to it. "Consider it an advance on your new life."

"I never agreed to this," I snapped.

"You agreed when you signed the divorce papers," he countered. "Or did you think walking away from Adrian would leave you unscathed financially? This ensures you don’t have to look over your shoulder for scraps."

"I don’t need your charity," I said, my voice shaking.

Stefan leaned forward, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. "This isn’t charity. It’s business. You’re carrying my child, Shania. That means you’re under my protection now, whether you like it or not."

His words sent a chill down my spine. There was no escaping the gravity in his voice or the possessiveness in his eyes.

Later that evening, I sat alone in the penthouse, staring out at the glittering city below. Stefan had left shortly after our conversation at the bank, claiming he had "business to handle." I didn’t ask for details.

The quiet was a welcome reprieve, but my mind was anything but still. The money, the control, the way Stefan swooped into my life like a storm—none of it felt right. And yet, I couldn’t deny the flicker of safety I felt under his shadow.

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. I hesitated for a moment before crossing the room and opening it.

Adrian stood on the other side, looking disheveled and desperate.

"Shania," he breathed, his eyes scanning my face.

I stiffened. "What are you doing here?"

"Please," he said, his voice breaking. "Just hear me out."

I clenched my fists, my body trembling with a mix of anger and heartbreak. "You have five minutes."

He stepped inside, his eyes darting around the lavish penthouse. "So this is how it is now? You leave me for him? For his money?"

I laughed bitterly. "Don’t you dare play the victim, Adrian. You slept with my sister. You have a child with her. Or did you forget that part?"

"I made a mistake!" he shouted, his voice cracking. "I was weak, but it didn’t mean anything. I still love you, Shania."

"You don’t get to say that," I said, my voice rising. "Not after everything you’ve done."

He stepped closer, his hands reaching for mine. "We can fix this. Please, just come home. I’ll do anything."

I yanked my hands away, disgusted by his touch. "It’s too late for that. I’m not the same woman you used to control, Adrian. I’m done being your punching bag."

His face twisted with anger. "Is that what this is about? Him? Stefan?"

"This has nothing to do with him," I snapped. "This is about me finally taking back my life."

Adrian’s gaze darkened, and for a moment, I saw the man who had made my life a living hell. "You think he cares about you? You’re just another pawn to him, Shania. A trophy to flaunt."

"Get out," I said, my voice trembling with fury.

"Not until you listen to me!" Adrian shouted, stepping closer.

Before I could respond, the door swung open, and Stefan strode in, his presence filling the room like a thunderstorm.

"Is there a reason you’re still here?" Stefan asked, his tone icy.

Adrian turned to face him, his fists clenched. "This is between me and my wife."

"Ex-wife," Stefan corrected, his lips curling into a smirk. "And as far as I’m concerned, you’re trespassing."

Adrian took a step forward, his chest puffed out in a weak attempt to intimidate. "You think you can just buy her? Is that how you solve everything—with money?"

Stefan’s smile vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating stare. "Careful, Adrian. You’re standing on borrowed time."

"You don’t scare me," Adrian spat.

Stefan didn’t flinch. Instead, he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his phone, dialing a number.

"Security," he said, his voice calm. "There’s a pest in my penthouse. Remove it."

Adrian’s face turned red as two burly guards appeared moments later, their eyes trained on him.

"You can’t do this," Adrian hissed, but his protests fell on deaf ears as the guards grabbed him by the arms and dragged him toward the door.

"Adrian!" I called out, unable to stop myself.

He turned to look at me, his eyes filled with desperation. "This isn’t over, Shania."

The door slammed shut, leaving me alone with Stefan.

"Why did you let him in?" Stefan asked, his tone sharp.

"I didn’t," I said, my voice shaking. "He just showed up."

Stefan’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought he might explode. But then he let out a slow breath, his eyes softening as they met mine.

"You don’t owe him anything," he said quietly.

"I know," I whispered, sinking onto the couch.

Stefan sat beside me, his hand resting on my knee. "You’re safe now. He won’t bother you again."

I looked at him, searching his face for any trace of doubt. "Why do you care so much?"

He hesitated, his expression unreadable. "Because you matter, Shania. More than you realize."

The weight of his words hung between us, and for the first time, I allowed myself to believe that maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t the villain I had made him out to be.