Chapter 7
I ended the engagement that night.
Adrian objected.
Of course.
“You can’t decide that.”
“Correct.”
He stared.
Good.
“I can decide she does not marry from this estate, use Bellini resources, or enter Bellini operations.”
Different.
“Whether you marry her elsewhere is your decision.”
Serena looked stunned.
Maybe she expected exile from Adrian too.
No.
He was thirty.
If I controlled his heart, I would become exactly what she accused me of being.
But choices have structures around them.
If he married Serena, he would lose his current Bellini executive role for one year while trust was reviewed.
Not punishment for marriage.
Conflict.
Her family had attempted to embed business interests through the engagement.
He could choose love.
I could choose boundaries.
Adrian stared at me.
“You’re making me choose.”
“No.”
My voice stayed low.
“I’m refusing to let your choice automatically become mine.”
May you like
That distinction angered him.
Good.
