chapter 7
Before his self-surrender date, he made one final, desperate attempt to see me.
He managed to track down the address of the Vanguard coastal estate in Newport, Rhode Island. He didn't have a car anymore; he had taken a greyhound bus and walked three miles in the pouring rain to reach the massive iron gates of the property.
I was sitting on the enclosed glass veranda, holding Mason, while Julian watched over Ethan and Lucas in their playpen. The gate security intercom buzzed.
"Ms. Vanguard," the guard's voice came through. "Adrian Vance is at the main gate. He is soaked to the bone and refusing to leave until he speaks with you. Should we call the local police?"
I looked at Julian, then down at Mason's peaceful face. "No. Let him up to the courtyard. Let him see what he threw away."
Ten minutes later, Adrian stood in the cobblestone courtyard, shivering in a cheap raincoat, water dripping from his matted hair. The security guards stood five paces behind him, their hands near their holsters. I stepped out onto the sheltered porch, wrapped in a thick cashmere shawl, holding my son close to my chest.
"Elena!" Adrian cried out, taking a step forward before the guards stepped in to block him. "Elena, please! Look at me! I’m going to prison next week! They’re taking everything! I don't even have enough money for a decent meal!"
"You had enough money for a luxury handbag three months ago, Adrian," I said, my voice carrying over the sound of the crashing waves below the cliffs.
"I was stupid! I was blind!" he wept, falling to his knees on the wet stones, his hands clasped together in prayer. "Chloe left me the second the money stopped. She took the remaining jewelry and ran off with some guy from Miami. I don't care about her, Elena! I care about you! I care about our family! Please, use your father's connections to get my sentence commuted. I’ll be the husband you always wanted. I’ll wash the dishes, I’ll take care of the boys, I’ll do anything!"
I looked down at him, feeling a deep, clinical pity. He didn't love me; he didn't even love his sons. He loved the safety, the luxury, and the power that my family's shadow provided. He was a parasite who had accidentally bitten into a titan.
"You told me that your lawyers would bury me, Adrian," I said softly. "You told me I had no savings, no paycheck, and three newborn babies. You tried to use the most vulnerable moment of my life to destroy my dignity."
"I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!"
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"The boys will grow up knowing you only as a legal footnote," I continued, my voice steady and unyielding. "You will never see them, you will never hold them, and you will never benefit from a single cent of the Vanguard name. You wanted a future without us, Adrian. Now, you have exactly what you asked for."
I turned around and walked back into the warmth of the house, the heavy glass doors closing behind me, sealing out his cries forever.
