Part 2 – "The Woman He Thought Was Powerless"
Part 2 – "The Woman He Thought Was Powerless"
Adrian didn't answer Vanessa immediately.
His eyes remained locked on the red mark across my face.
For twelve years...
He had never raised a hand to me.
Now another woman had done it...
Inside the company carrying his own name.
Vanessa frowned.
"Adrian?"
"You know this woman?"
The entire executive floor waited.
Employees stopped pretending to work.
Even the security guards stood perfectly still.
Adrian slowly walked toward me.
One step.
Then another.
Vanessa smiled confidently.
"I've already taken care of it."
"She stole your water bottle."
"She was taking photos."
"I called security."
She expected praise.
Instead...
Adrian stopped in front of me.
His voice was barely audible.
"Claire..."
"Who hit you?"
I didn't answer.
I simply looked at Vanessa.
That was enough.
Adrian turned.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
"You?"
Vanessa blinked.
"I was protecting your office."
"She claimed the bottle belonged to her."
"It was ridiculous."
Adrian looked down at the bottle.
Then back at me.
"I gave that bottle to exactly one person."
"My wife."
Silence.
Vanessa laughed nervously.
"Your wife is in Boston."
I quietly removed my employee badge.
Then slipped my wedding ring back onto my finger.
The diamond caught the morning sunlight.
One receptionist gasped.
A junior accountant nearly dropped his laptop.
Vanessa stared at my hand...
Then at Adrian.
"No..."
"No, that's impossible."
Adrian finally spoke.
"Everyone..."
"This is Claire Bennett."
"My wife."
The room exploded into whispers.
Vanessa took two stumbling steps backward.
"You never told anyone..."
Adrian closed his eyes.
"No."
May you like
"I didn't."
"And that may have been the biggest mistake of my career."
