Chapter 5 - The Final Test
Mara proposed a private dinner with Adrian.
No families. No attorneys. No wedding planners.
She chose the small Italian restaurant where they had celebrated their first anniversary.
Adrian arrived forty minutes late.
He spent the first ten minutes answering messages from Camille. Then he ordered wine without asking Mara what she wanted.
Mara waited until he put down his phone.
“Are you happy about marrying me?”
Adrian looked surprised. “What kind of question is that?”
“One that deserves an answer.”
“Of course I’m happy.”
“Then why do you allow your family to treat me like an intruder?”
“They’re adjusting.”
“They’ve had three years.”
Adrian sighed. “Is this about the agreement?”
“It’s about us.”
“Everything is about the agreement now.”
“No. It’s about whether you respect me when you believe I have less power than you.”
Adrian leaned back.
“There it is.”
“What?”
“The insecurity.”
Mara stared at him.
He continued, “You think my family looks down on you because of money. But maybe they’re concerned because you constantly challenge people.”
“When they mistreat me.”
“You always need to prove you’re the smartest person in the room.”
Mara felt the last of her hope disappearing.
“I never wanted to compete with you.”
“Then stop turning everything into a battle.”
She asked him one final question.
“If your family publicly disrespected me, would you defend me?”
Adrian did not answer immediately.
He picked up his glass.
“It depends on the situation.”
Mara nodded.
That was enough.
The next morning, Vivienne announced an exclusive family lunch supposedly intended to welcome Mara formally into the Vale family.
Mara learned from the event coordinator that journalists, investors, and company executives had also been invited.
It was not a welcome lunch.
It was a demonstration.
Vivienne intended to establish Mara’s place beneath the Vale family before the wedding.
Mara decided to attend.
She confirmed the restructuring documents, transferred the wedding cancellation notices into Adrian’s envelope, and instructed her board representative to attend the lunch as a guest.
May you like
Adrian wanted an audience.
Mara would give him one.
