Chapter 4 — The Divorce Papers
2635 Words
The rain continued to fall.
Elena stood beneath the harsh white lights outside the police station, staring at the man she had once called her husband.
Adrian remained several feet away, giving her the distance she had asked for.
But his words refused to leave her mind.
I thought leaving you was the only way to keep you alive.
Three years ago, she had believed his cruelty was proof that he no longer loved her.
Now he was telling her that the cruelty had been an act.
A terrible, devastating act.
But an act nonetheless.
Elena wrapped her arms around herself.
“Who threatened you?”
Adrian looked toward the dark street.
“I don't have enough information yet.”
“You said you knew who they worked for.”
“I do.”
“Then tell me.”
His jaw tightened.
“I can't.”
Elena let out a bitter laugh.
“Of course.”
“Elena—”
“No. It's always the same with you.”
She stepped closer.
“You decide what I should know. You decide what I can handle. You decide when I deserve the truth.”
Adrian didn't defend himself.
That made her angrier.
“Say something.”
“You're right.”
She stared at him.
“I should have trusted you.”
“Yes.”
“I should have told you everything.”
“Yes.”
“And I should never have made you believe I stopped loving you.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Then why did you?”
Adrian looked at her.
“Because I knew if you believed I still loved you, you'd never leave.”
Elena's heart clenched.
He was right.
Three years ago, if Adrian had told her the truth, she would never have walked away.
She would have stayed.
She would have fought.
Even if it meant putting herself in danger.
And Adrian had known that.
“You knew I wouldn't leave you.”
“Yes.”
“So you destroyed me instead.”
Adrian's face fell.
“I thought heartbreak was better than a funeral.”
The words silenced her.
Elena looked away.
She didn't want to understand him.
Understanding him meant admitting that perhaps the man she had hated for three years had been suffering too.
And she wasn't ready to forgive him.
Not yet.
A police officer approached them.
“Miss Marlowe?”
Elena turned.
“Yes?”
“We reviewed the footage from the area where you were followed.”
Adrian immediately became alert.
“What did you find?”
The officer looked at him.
“Mr. Blackwood, I need to speak with Miss Marlowe privately.”
Adrian nodded.
“I'll wait outside.”
He stepped away.
The officer handed Elena a photograph.
“We identified the vehicle.”
Elena looked down.
It was the black SUV.
“Do you know who owns it?”
“Unfortunately, the plates were stolen.”
Elena's stomach tightened.
“Stolen?”
“Yes.”
The officer hesitated.
“There is something else.”
“What?”
“We found this near the area where the vehicle disappeared.”
He handed her a small plastic evidence bag.
Inside was a folded piece of paper.
Elena opened it carefully.
There were only five words written across the page.
He should have left you alone.
Her hands trembled.
“Who is 'he'?”
The officer didn't know.
But Elena did.
Adrian.
She looked toward the glass doors.
He was standing outside beneath the awning.
Even from a distance, she could see the tension in his posture.
He was watching the street.
Watching everything.
Watching her.
She folded the paper.
“I want to go home.”
The officer nodded.
“We'll have someone escort you.”
Elena walked outside.
Adrian immediately approached.
“What happened?”
She showed him the note.
He read it.
His expression changed.
“This is from them.”
“Who?”
“I don't know.”
“You're lying.”
“I wish I were.”
He folded the paper carefully.
“Come with me.”
“Where?”
“My house.”
“No.”
“It's the safest place.”
“The place where we used to live?”
“Yes.”
Elena shook her head.
“I won't go there.”
Adrian looked at her.
“Then where?”
“My apartment.”
“Absolutely not.”
She frowned.
“You don't get to tell me where I can live.”
“I know.”
“Then stop.”
“I can't.”
“Why?”
“Because I already made the mistake of letting you walk away once.”
His eyes darkened.
“I won't make it again.”
Elena stared at him.
There was something different about Adrian tonight.
He wasn't trying to control her.
He was afraid.
And somehow, that frightened her more.
Three Years Ago
The divorce papers were still on the dining table.
Elena sat across from Adrian, staring at the documents between them.
She couldn't understand how a marriage could end so quietly.
There had been no screaming.
No broken furniture.
No dramatic fight.
Just a few sheets of paper.
A pen.
And two signatures.
That was all it took to erase two years of marriage.
“Sign them.”
Adrian's voice was cold.
Elena looked at him.
“You really want this?”
“Yes.”
“You're certain?”
“Yes.”
“Then look at me.”
He did.
She searched his eyes for something.
Regret.
Love.
Pain.
Anything.
There was nothing.
Or at least, that's what she thought.
“Okay.”
She picked up the pen.
Her hand shook.
Adrian's heart nearly broke.
He wanted to take the pen away.
He wanted to tear the papers apart.
He wanted to tell her that he loved her.
Instead, he remained still.
Elena signed.
The sound of the pen scratching against the paper seemed louder than thunder.
She pushed the documents toward him.
“Your turn.”
Adrian stared at her signature.
For one second, his mask almost broke.
Then he signed.
Elena looked at the papers.
It was official.
They were no longer husband and wife.
She slowly removed her wedding ring.
She placed it beside the documents.
“I hope she's worth it.”
Adrian looked up sharply.
“There's no one else.”
“Then I don't understand.”
“You don't need to.”
She nodded.
“Right.”
She stood.
“Thank you.”
Adrian frowned.
“For what?”
“For teaching me not to trust anyone.”
His chest tightened.
“Elena.”
She picked up her suitcase.
“I loved you.”
Past tense.
The words nearly destroyed him.
She walked toward the door.
Adrian wanted to stop her.
But his phone vibrated.
A message.
He glanced at it.
SHE SIGNED?
He typed a response.
Yes.
Another message appeared.
Then stay away from her.
Adrian looked toward the door.
Elena was gone.
His eyes closed.
For the first time, tears filled them.
He whispered to the empty room.
“I love you.”
But she couldn't hear him.
Present Day
Elena sat inside Adrian's car.
She hadn't wanted to get in.
But after the threats, she knew going home alone was reckless.
Adrian sat beside her.
Neither spoke.
The city lights passed outside the window.
Finally, Elena broke the silence.
“Did you ever regret it?”
Adrian looked at her.
“Every day.”
“Even after the divorce?”
“Especially after.”
She stared at him.
“Then why didn't you come back?”
“I couldn't.”
“Why?”
“Because I believed they were still watching you.”
“Who?”
“My enemies.”
“Names.”
Adrian hesitated.
Elena turned toward him.
“If we're going to deal with this together, I need the truth.”
He studied her.
“You really want to know?”
“Yes.”
Adrian leaned back.
“My father had enemies.”
Elena frowned.
“Your father?”
“Yes.”
“Business rivals?”
“Some.”
“Then what does that have to do with me?”
Adrian's expression became grim.
“My father was involved in things that weren't always legal.”
Elena's eyes widened.
“What kind of things?”
“Things that should have stayed buried.”
She looked at him.
“And now?”
“Someone wants to bring them back.”
“Who?”
“I don't know.”
“You said you did.”
“I know who is connected to them. I don't know who is controlling them.”
Elena was silent.
The car entered a private road.
She looked through the window.
“This isn't my apartment.”
“No.”
“Where are we?”
“My private residence.”
“Adrian.”
“You don't have to stay.”
“Then why did you bring me here?”
“Because you need somewhere safe while we figure this out.”
Elena stared at the massive gates ahead.
The memories came flooding back.
The Blackwood mansion.
The place where she had once been happy.
The place where her marriage had ended.
The gates opened.
The car entered.
Elena's heart began beating faster.
She hadn't been here since the day she left.
The mansion looked almost exactly the same.
Tall windows.
White stone walls.
Perfect gardens.
A fountain in the center.
But something felt different.
Perhaps it was her.
She was different.
The woman who had once entered these gates believing she was coming home no longer existed.
The car stopped.
Adrian stepped out first.
Then he opened her door.
Elena hesitated.
“Are you sure?”
He nodded.
“No one will hurt you here.”
She stepped out.
As they entered the mansion, Elena noticed something on the wall.
A photograph.
She stopped.
It was their wedding picture.
She and Adrian were standing together, smiling.
Her younger self looked completely in love.
Adrian looked at her as though she were his entire world.
Elena's throat tightened.
“You kept it.”
Adrian stood beside her.
“I couldn't take it down.”
She looked at him.
“Why?”
“Because it was the happiest day of my life.”
Elena's eyes filled with tears.
“You had a strange way of showing it.”
“I know.”
She turned away.
“I need to sleep.”
“There's a guest room prepared upstairs.”
“I don't want your staff disturbing me.”
“They won't.”
She started walking.
“Good night.”
“Elena.”
She stopped.
“Thank you for coming here.”
She didn't turn around.
“I came because someone is threatening me.”
“I know.”
“Not because I trust you.”
“I know.”
She continued upstairs.
Adrian watched her go.
Only after she disappeared did he allow himself to breathe.
His phone rang.
He answered immediately.
“What?”
“Sir, we found something.”
Adrian's expression hardened.
“What?”
“The person who sent the messages used an encrypted device.”
“Can you trace it?”
“Not directly.”
“What can you tell me?”
A pause.
“The message was sent from a number registered three years ago.”
Adrian froze.
“Three years?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Two days before your divorce.”
Adrian's blood ran cold.
“Send me everything.”
“I will.”
The call ended.
Adrian stared at the staircase.
Two days before their divorce.
That couldn't be a coincidence.
Someone had been planning this long before Elena ever knew she was in danger.
He pulled out his phone and opened an old folder.
Three years ago, he had saved everything.
Every threat.
Every photograph.
Every anonymous message.
He had never deleted them.
He opened the first file.
A photograph appeared.
Elena leaving her office.
The date was three years ago.
His heart pounded.
He opened another.
Elena sitting inside a café.
Another.
Elena entering their home.
Another.
Elena walking beside Adrian.
Someone had been watching them.
For months.
Maybe years.
Adrian's fingers tightened around the phone.
Then he saw something he had never noticed before.
In the background of one photograph was a man standing outside a café.
Adrian zoomed in.
His face was partially hidden.
But Adrian recognized the suit.
The watch.
The posture.
He had seen that man before.
Recently.
At the gala.
Adrian's expression became ice-cold.
“Victor.”
Upstairs, Elena couldn't sleep.
She sat on the edge of the bed.
The room was unfamiliar.
Yet somehow, everything about the mansion felt familiar.
She looked down at her hands.
Her wedding ring was gone.
But sometimes, she still felt its weight.
She hated herself for that.
A soft knock came at the door.
“Elena?”
Adrian.
“What?”
“Can I come in?”
She hesitated.
“Fine.”
The door opened.
Adrian stood there holding a cup of tea.
“I thought you might need this.”
She accepted it.
“Thank you.”
He remained near the door.
“I won't stay.”
Elena looked at him.
“Adrian?”
“Yes?”
“Were you happy after we divorced?”
His expression changed.
“No.”
“Did you date anyone?”
“No.”
“Why?”
He looked directly at her.
“Because I was still married in my heart.”
Her breath caught.
“Don't say things like that.”
“Why?”
“Because they make me remember.”
“Remember what?”
She looked down.
“Us.”
Adrian's voice softened.
“I remember every day.”
Silence filled the room.
Elena looked at him.
“Do you know what hurt the most?”
“What?”
“Not the divorce.”
He waited.
“It was thinking that I had imagined our love.”
Adrian's eyes became red.
“You didn't.”
“I spent three years believing you never loved me.”
“I did.”
“You made me believe otherwise.”
“I know.”
She swallowed.
“I'm angry with you.”
“You have every right to be.”
“I don't forgive you.”
“I don't expect you to.”
“But…”
Adrian waited.
Elena looked away.
“I don't hate you anymore.”
His heart stopped.
She continued quietly.
“I thought I did.”
Adrian took a slow breath.
“That's enough for tonight.”
He turned toward the door.
“Adrian.”
He stopped.
She looked at him.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For telling me part of the truth.”
A faint smile appeared on his face.
“I'll tell you the rest.”
“When?”
“When I can make sure telling you won't put you in more danger.”
She nodded.
“Good night.”
“Good night, Elena.”
He left.
The door closed.
Elena leaned back against the pillow.
She didn't know what tomorrow would bring.
She didn't know who was threatening her.
She didn't know whether Adrian was telling her the whole truth.
But for the first time in three years, she wasn't completely certain that their love had been a lie.
And downstairs, Adrian stood in his study, staring at the photograph of Victor.
His phone buzzed.
One message appeared.
You brought her back into the house.
Another followed.
Then we know exactly where to find her.
Adrian's face went pale.
He immediately ran upstairs.
But before he reached Elena's door, the mansion's security alarm suddenly screamed through the entire house.
Someone had entered the property.
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