Chapter 10 - THE ENGAGEMENT BUILT ON A LIE
Roman's engagement to Vivian Mercer had never been romantic.
I knew that.
Everyone in the house knew that.
But I hadn't understood what the marriage was supposed to accomplish.
Charles Mercer controlled financing Roman needed for a major waterfront redevelopment.
Roman controlled access to several DeLuca properties.
The marriage would align the families.
Once married, Mercer planned to pressure Roman into approving a restructuring that would bury the disputed charitable trust inside a new corporation.
My trusteeship would become inconvenient.
Possibly dangerous.
Vivian had known enough to understand one thing.
As long as I remained alive, independent, and connected to Lily, her father couldn't fully control the property.
The fake medical debt gave them leverage.
The blizzard created opportunity.
But investigators still needed evidence proving Vivian knowingly participated in the attack.
That evidence came from someone I never expected.
Mrs. Patel.
She entered Roman's study carrying a small silver tray.
On it rested Vivian's missing second phone.
"I found this beneath the conservatory sofa."
Roman stared.
"When?"
"Christmas morning."
"Why didn't you bring it earlier?"
Mrs. Patel looked embarrassed.
"I didn't realize it mattered until I heard about the messages."
The phone was turned over to investigators.
The contents were recovered legally.
And there it was.
Messages between Vivian and Adrian Cole.
Make sure she leaves without security.
The wine story will work.
Don't hurt her unless she fights.
Then, twenty minutes later:
She ran. Find the key.
My hands went numb.
Roman read the messages once.
Then again.
His face changed.
Not rage.
Something colder.
Finality.
Vivian was arrested later that afternoon after investigators established probable cause related to the attack and threats.
Charles Mercer was questioned and subsequently faced a growing financial investigation.
The engagement ended without ceremony.
No dramatic confrontation.
No shattered champagne glasses.
Roman simply removed the ring Vivian had returned and placed it inside an evidence envelope because investigators wanted records of their financial arrangements.
That night, I found him standing alone beside the Christmas tree.
The decorations were still there.
Red ribbons.
Gold ornaments.
White lights.
But the house felt completely different.
"I'm sorry," I said.
He looked at me.
"For what?"
"Your wedding."
He gave a quiet laugh.
"There wasn't going to be a marriage worth mourning."
I looked down.
"Still."
Roman walked toward the window.
"My mother spent years trying to undo what my father helped build."
He paused.
"I spent years telling myself I was different because I never lied to myself about what our organization was."
I looked at him.
"Are you?"
He smiled sadly.
"Different?"
I nodded.
He considered.
"I want to be."
The answer mattered.
Not I am.
I want to be.
Then he turned toward me.
"Claire, there's something else in your father's files."
My stomach tightened.
"Another secret?"
"Yes."
He handed me a photograph.
Dad stood beside Margaret DeLuca.
Between them was a boy about thirteen.
Roman.
On the back, Dad had written:
One day, he may need someone to remind him that he was worth saving before he became powerful.
My eyes filled.
Roman stared at the photograph.
May you like
Then whispered:
"Your father knew exactly who I became."
