Chapter 2

The next day I went home to collect my documents. My code no longer worked.

The building manager appeared with a tablet. "Mr. Sterling said we aren't to grant you access until you sign his agreement."

"This is my home."

"Our property portal now lists Mr. Sterling and Ms. Hayes as the owners."

My stomach went cold. Mom had funded the purchase before my wedding. She had chosen every piece of furniture herself. The original deed, along with the deed to the Southside house, had been placed in Adrian's private document vault for safekeeping. Now someone had recorded transfers I had never signed.

Adrian texted: *Want access to the house? Come to the press conference and apologize.*

I arrived ten minutes before it started. Not because I intended to confess, but because I wanted Mom's belongings back.

Adrian handed me a prepared statement. According to the script, I'd spent the past year stalking Serena because of a supposed personality disorder. It also claimed he'd restricted my access to shared funds merely to protect marital assets.

"Take that part out," I told him. "You cut off the money when my mother needed help."

"Read it, and I'll arrange the best rehabilitation care for her."

"I sent you her critical-care notice that night."

His familiar impatience surfaced. "How long are you planning to keep this performance going?"

One phone call to the hospital would have told him the truth. He didn't want to make it.

"When do I get access to the vault?"

"After the apology."

"And Mom's house?"

"Serena loves it. We'll put a gallery downstairs. You can have a guest room upstairs."

"It's my mother's home."

"I don't have time for this argument."

Serena approached the cameras with an outstretched hand. "Nora, just read the statement and I'll withdraw my complaint."

Then she lowered her voice. "After all, it isn't *my* dead mother's inheritance they're taking."

I looked up sharply. She knew.

I carried the pages to the lectern. Reporters, employees, and a livestream audience waited.

"I'm Nora Bennett. Over the past year I've damaged Adrian Sterling's property, entered his offices without permission, and assaulted Serena Hayes at a hospital."

Adrian visibly relaxed. He thought he'd finally trained me to obey.

"I apologize to everyone who was frightened by my behavior," I continued. "Everyone except Serena."

I held up the torn medical report I'd carefully taped together.

"Because Serena Hayes was never pregnant."

Cameras clicked. Serena lunged for the page.

"She fabricated that!"

"Then authorize the clinic to verify the document and your records," I said. "I'll cooperate with an investigation, too."

"Cut the livestream," Adrian ordered.

"She lied to you," I said.

"So what?" His voice was flat. "She was afraid of losing me. You humiliated her publicly. That doesn't excuse your violence."

"So the truth isn't what matters. It's that she's Serena."

He said nothing.

Serena linked her arm through his. "I guess Nora wasn't serious about apologizing."

Adrian pushed the agreement toward me. "Sign it. Apologize."

"You promised me my mother's things."

"Then have her come collect them herself. Once you've apologized."

He didn't even hear what he'd said.

"And if I refuse?"

"You have until nine tomorrow morning," he replied. "After that, I finish the transfer to Serena. You won't even have a room left there."