"It's an embarrassment," Julian said. "The press is already sniffing around. 'The Sterling Estrangement'. Do you know what it does to the stock when they think I've abandoned you?"
"You did abandon me," Elara said quietly.
Julian slammed on the brakes. He pulled the car over to the curb, the tires crunching against the snow. He shifted into park and turned to her. The dashboard lights cast deep shadows over his eyes.
"I went to Zurich to save the company. To save us."
"You went to Zurich with her," Elara shot back. "For seven years."
"Serena is a business partner."
"Is that what you call it?" Elara laughed, a bitter, jagged sound. "She kissed you. Just now."
"She's affectionate. We grew up together. You know that."
"I know she hates me. And I know you let her."
Julian ran a hand through his hair, frustrating messing up the perfect style. "I am trying to protect you, Elara. You don't understand the wolves in this city."
"I'm not a child, Julian. I don't need protection. I needed a husband."
"Is there someone else?"
The question hung in the air like smoke.
Elara's heart stopped. "What?"
"In Queens. Is that why you won't move? Are you hiding someone?"
He was so close to the truth it made her dizzy. She was hiding someone. A six-year-old boy with Julian's eyes and Julian's stubborn chin.
"That's none of your business," she said.
Julian's face hardened. He looked like she had slapped him. "I see."
"It's not what you think," she tried to say, but the words stuck.
"I'm taking you home," Julian said, his voice dropping to absolute zero. He threw the car into gear, the tires spinning on the ice before catching.
"You don't have to-"
"I said I'm taking you home. I want to see this place you prefer over your own husband."
Panic clawed at Elara's throat. "No. You can't come up."
"Try and stop me."
The drive to Queens was a blur of terrified silence. When Julian pulled up in front of her dilapidated building, he stared at the graffiti on the door, his expression unreadable.
"This is it?" he asked.
"Yes," Elara said, unclipping her belt. "Goodbye, Julian."
"I'm walking you to the door."
"No!" She shouted it too loud. "I mean... the neighbors. They talk. Please, Julian. Just go."
He looked at her, his eyes searching her face for a long, agonizing moment. Finally, he unlocked the doors.
"Go," he said. "Before I change my mind and drag you back to the Tower myself."
Elara grabbed her purse. Tears burned her eyes, hot and fast. She wasn't going to let him see her cry. Not again.
She shoved the door open and scrambled out. The wind hit her instantly. She slammed the door with all her strength.
She didn't look back until she was safely inside the lobby door. Through the cracked glass, she saw the Toyota sitting there, idling. Julian didn't leave until the light in the fourth-floor hallway flickered on.
Inside the car, Julian gripped the steering wheel until the leather groaned. He picked up his phone and dialed a number.
"I want eyes on that building," he commanded. "24/7. Find out who goes in and out. Especially who she's meeting."
---
