The Bride Who Wouldn't Leave
Chapter 08 - The Bride Who Wouldn't Leave
Madison had spent three months telling herself she wasn't a bad person.
She had found the letters by accident.
She had confronted Evelyn.
And Evelyn had given her a choice.
Tell Nathan and lose him.
Or stay silent and let the past remain buried.
"Elena made her decision years ago," Evelyn had said.
"The children are happy."
"Nathan is happy."
"Why destroy four lives to satisfy your conscience?"
Madison had wanted to believe her.
So she did.
Now, sitting across from Elena in a small coffee shop two days after the ruined wedding, Madison looked like a woman who hadn't slept.
"Why are you here?" Elena asked.
"To tell you the part Evelyn won't."
Elena's hand tightened around her cup.
Madison slid a folder across the table.
Elena didn't touch it.
"No more mysterious documents."
"It's not evidence."
"What is it?"
"A contract."
Elena opened it.
The Whitmore Foundation.
A transfer of voting power.
Madison explained.
Six months earlier, Nathan had considered resigning from the family property company to start his own architectural restoration firm.
Evelyn had panicked.
Nathan leaving would reduce her control over the board.
Then Madison entered the picture.
Her father owned the largest outside voting block.
Their marriage would consolidate the families.
"You weren't marrying Nathan," Elena said.
Madison looked ashamed.
"I loved him."
"But?"
"But Evelyn loved what our marriage would protect."
Elena leaned back.
"And you agreed."
Madison's eyes filled.
"At first I didn't know."
"But once you did?"
Madison had no defense.
"I was afraid he'd leave me."
Elena laughed quietly.
"That's what everyone around Nathan keeps saying."
Madison flinched.
"His mother was afraid of losing control. His sister was afraid of losing her mother. You were afraid of losing your fiancé."
She leaned forward.
"And somehow, every one of you decided that fear gave you permission to steal his choices."
Madison cried silently.
Elena didn't comfort her.
Finally Madison whispered, "There's something else."
Elena closed her eyes.
"There always is."
"Yesterday, Evelyn called an attorney."
"For what?"
"She wants to challenge Nathan."
Elena frowned.
"Challenge him how?"
Madison looked directly at her.
"She's trying to have him removed from the company."
"Why?"
"Because Nathan told the board this morning that he's selling his shares."
Elena stared.
Madison swallowed.
"And he told them the money is going into three trusts."
Elena already knew the answer.
But she asked anyway.
"For whom?"
May you like
Madison's voice was barely audible.
"Noah, Eli, and Sam."
