Chapter 6 - THE GALA THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
The following evening, Margaret Mercer hosted the annual Mercer Foundation gala at a hotel overlooking the Chicago River.
Emily did not want to attend.
Adrian did not pressure her.
That was why she went.
For the first hour, everything was tolerable.
Then Vivian Cross arrived.
Tall, elegant, and wearing enough diamonds to finance a small hospital wing, Vivian had dated Adrian for two years.
Margaret greeted her like family.
Emily immediately understood.
“Mrs. Mercer,” Vivian said warmly.
“Emily is fine.”
“Oh, I meant Margaret.”
Vivian smiled.
Adrian appeared beside Emily moments later.
His hand settled lightly at her back.
“Vivian.”
“Adrian.”
The former couple looked at each other.
Emily felt something unpleasant tighten in her stomach.
Vivian turned to her.
“You must be the bride.”
“The legal documents suggest so.”
Adrian coughed to hide a laugh.
Vivian’s smile thinned.
“I was surprised when I heard. Adrian always said marriage wasn’t for him.”
“He was surprised too.”
“Emily.”
Margaret’s voice interrupted them.
Several board members stood nearby.
Margaret raised her champagne glass.
“I think we should acknowledge Adrian’s birthday next week and the stability his marriage brings to the Mercer family.”
Emily felt Adrian stiffen.
Stability.
Not happiness.
Not love.
Compliance.
Margaret continued.
“After a rather unexpected courtship, I’m sure we’re all relieved Adrian has finally fulfilled his grandfather’s wishes.”
The nearby conversations grew quiet.
Emily’s cheeks burned.
Adrian stepped forward.
“Mother.”
But Emily touched his arm.
“No.”
She faced Margaret.
“I think you should finish.”
Margaret blinked.
“I beg your pardon?”
“You were explaining why my marriage matters to your family.”
“Emily, this isn’t the place.”
“Actually, you made it the place.”
The ballroom had gone almost completely silent.
Emily’s heart hammered, but her voice remained steady.
“You’re right about one thing. This marriage began because other people had plans for us.”
Margaret’s mouth tightened.
Emily continued.
“But Adrian is not married to his grandfather.”
A few people shifted uncomfortably.
“He isn’t married to his board. And he certainly isn’t married to you.”
“Emily,” Margaret warned.
“I am.”
She turned toward Adrian.
“And if he chooses to stay married to me, it will be because of what happens when no lawyers are present. Because we eat terrible scrambled eggs at one in the morning. Because he sits on tiny chairs reading books to children even though his knees hurt. Because he finally learned that people are not pieces on a board.”
Adrian’s eyes glistened.
Emily looked back at Margaret.
“And if I stay married to him, it will be because he learned that lesson before it was too late.”
The room was silent.
Then Adrian took Emily’s hand.
“My wife is right.”
Margaret stared at him.
Adrian addressed the board members around them.
“Since everyone appears interested in my grandfather’s trust, let me save you the gossip.”
Emily looked at him sharply.
Adrian continued.
“I will not make business decisions based on preserving the inheritance.”
Gasps moved through the room.
“If those shares transfer to Daniel, we will deal with it. If I lose my position as CEO, the company will appoint another.”
“Adrian,” Margaret whispered.
“But my marriage will no longer be treated as a corporate asset.”
He looked directly at his mother.
“Not by you. Not by the board. Not by me.”
Then he turned to Emily.
“Would you like to leave?”
She smiled.
May you like
“Desperately.”
They walked out together.
