Elena said nothing, just watched and waited. The recording device in her purse was running. Every word was being captured.
“I’m sure you’re a lovely person,” Isabelle continued, her voice dripping with false sympathy. “And I’m sure Marcus cares for you in his way. But darling, you must know—you were never more than a placeholder. A substitute until I could come back.”
The words should have hurt. A week ago, they would have destroyed Elena.
But now? Now she just felt cold.
“What do you want, Isabelle?”
“I want you to make this easy. For everyone involved.” Isabelle’s eyes glittered. “Agree to a quiet divorce. No fuss, no drama, no taking Marcus for everything he’s worth. Just walk away gracefully, and I promise you’ll be compensated for your… service.”
“My service,” Elena repeated fla
