It was from my father that I learned the truth.
Richard had started going after our family's company.
I couldn't hold back any longer. I stormed out the door, determined to confront him. The sheer audacity of that man.
When I arrived at the house I shared with Richard, I found someone else already there. Brenda James. The woman who was supposedly long gone overseas.
The moment Richard saw me walk in, his expression darkened. Brenda flinched and tucked herself behind him.
Richard's face turned even uglier.
"Vera, you have the nerve to show up here?"
I stared at him, my expression ice-cold.
"Richard, why wouldn't I? You've moved your mistress into our home, and I'm the one who should be ashamed?" My voice didn't waver. "Even if we're getting divorced, there's no reason to go after my father's company."
Richard's eyes went dangerously dark.
"Vera, consider it a warning. A punishment."
"How dare you lay a hand on Brenda?"
"She was already leaving."
I looked at him and felt nothing but disbelief.
"I laid a hand on her?"
"Richard, I wouldn't dirty my hands."
He raised his voice, sharp and accusing.
"If not you, then who? You hired people to kidnap her. To humiliate her!" His jaw clenched. "If I hadn't gotten there in time, Brenda would've been destroyed!"
His gaze was cold, his lips curled in contempt.
"You did swear once that you'd ruin her."
He was right. Once upon a time, when I was desperately in love with Richard and half out of my mind, I'd vowed to tear Brenda apart.
But that woman was gone now.
I shifted my gaze to Brenda. She cowered behind Richard, whimpering softly, the picture of a wounded bird. But the eyes that met mine over his shoulder were bright with provocation.
And just like that, I understood everything.
Brenda had never intended to leave the country. She'd never planned to go anywhere. Her retreat was nothing more than a calculated advance. The kidnapping, the humiliation, all of it was a performance she'd staged herself.
Richard was the only one who'd bought it.
Brenda tugged gently at Richard's sleeve.
"Richard, please don't fight with Miss Sullivan." Her voice was barely above a whisper. "I'm fine. This is all my fault. I got too close to you, and that's why she's upset." She sniffled. "Don't worry. I'll leave. I promise."
Richard cut her off.
"Brenda, don't be afraid!" His tone shifted, fierce and protective. "I won't let you leave. You'd be alone in a foreign country where you don't know anyone. Who knows what could happen to you."
After soothing Brenda, he turned back to me.
"Vera, I'm going to arrange a position for Brenda at one of the branch offices. She won't be anywhere near us." His voice was matter-of-fact, as if he were discussing a business transaction. "Consider it compensation for what you did to her."
"Drop the scheming. I told you, you'll always be Mrs. Weiss."
Then his tone softened, almost gentle.
"I'll let this one slide. I know you only acted out because you care about me. People do reckless things when they're in love."
"The partnership between Weiss Group and Sullivan Corp will continue. I'll hold a press conference to stabilize things."
"We're about to become parents, Vera. Let's just... stop fighting. Please?"
