Dimitri handedme a glass of wine, his fingers brushing against mine soothingly. Then he sat in the seat beside me and dug into his food. He ate quickly, and I could tell he was hungry. These past weeks had taken a toll on both of us, and he’d been a steady presence ensuring we were safe.
When he noticed I wasn’t eating, he looked up at me, worry etched across his face. “What’s wrong, honey?” He picked up a napkin, wiping the side of his mouth. “Is it the food? Don’t you like it?”
I chuckled softly, feeling my heart swell at his concern. “The food is fine,” I said with a laugh. “I can tell it’s delicious from the way you’re eating it.”
Dimitri smiled, but it quickly disappeared. “Then what’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It’s just—I saw the news,” I said, my voice soft. “The recording exposing Selene and Ethan.”
Dimitri's eyes relaxed, visible relief flooding them. "You were supposed to hear it from me first. Not from some sensationalized news anchor.”
"So, it's true?" I asked, needing to hear it from him. "They were Fated Matesall this time?"
"Yes," he confirmed. "They hid their bond for years. Probably since before our… marriage.” There was a bitterness in his voice as he said the word “marriage”.
I looked toward the stairs, toward our sleeping daughter. “I want them to pay, Dimitri,” I said, the words laced with a quiet ferocity. "Not just exposed. I want them to feel the terror they put in our little girl."
Dimitri’s hand reached across the table, covering mine. His touch was warm and solid. "So do I, my love," he said, his voice low and steady. "So do I."
"I know you have people searching," I said, turning my hand to intertwine our fingers. “But the thought that they’re still out there…it's a constant chill. I mean, what if they try to come for Adele again?”
He proceeded to tell me of Selene's escape and Ethan's disappearance, his thumb gently stroking my knuckles as he spoke. The simple gesture was a comfort.
“So, we can't reach them physically. Not yet,” I summarized, taking a sip of my wine.
“Not immediately. But I have people searching. Eventually, they’ll slip up. Show themselves. And when they do—”
“It might be too late... ” I set down my glass.
“Which is why I’ve tripled security. Why we’re staying here until I’m certain they’re neutralized.”
“That’s good, Dimitri. But I don’t want to sit here waiting,” I said slowly, my mind searching for another path. I looked at our joined hands, then back to him. “We know they can hide. But what they can't hide is their finances.”
Dimitri leaned forward, his focus entirely on me. "What are you thinking?"
“I know that Thorpe Industries is on the brink. The Ashworth holdings are vulnerable, which is why they needed the marriage alliance in the first place,” I said, the plan forming from a need to protect, not just to punish. “If we can't make them face us, we can ensure they have no power left to ever hurt our family again. We take their weapons. Their money.”
A slow, understanding smile touched his lips, and I saw pride in his eyes.
“You want to break their foundation,” he stated.
“I want to make sure our daughter's world is safe,” I corrected gently. "They tried to take everything from us. Twice. I won't give them a third chance.”
He was quiet for a moment, just looking at me. Then he picked up his phone, his movements decisive.
“Edmund," he said, his gaze still locked with mine, “I need a complete financial breakdown of Thorpe Industries and Ashworth Holdings. Everything. I want it comprehensive, and I need it in the next six hours.”
He listened briefly, a grim smile gracing his features. “Because we're ending this. For good.”
He ended the call and leaned closer, his hand cradling my face. His touch was incredibly gentle. “You'll have everything you need by tonight.” He searched my eyes, his expression filled with awe and solidarity. "And Isabella?"
"Yeah?" I breathed, nuzzling into his touch.
He shook his head, a low chuckle escaping him. "You're incredibly smart, you know that? Running them out of business in a week? Note to self: do not get on the bad side of the new VP of Crane Internationale. My board wouldn't survive it."
I felt a genuine smile finally grace my lips. "Noted."
His expression softened into a tender, wry smile. "Seriously, though. Remind me to always, always be on your side.”
