Adrian stopped moving.
“And kisses you at Bellmere International Airport?”
The room went silent.
HIS FACE CHANGED
All color disappeared from Adrian’s face.
He stood so quickly his knee hit the coffee table.
The scotch glass rattled.
“What?”
I pulled out my phone.
“What are you talking about?”
I unlocked the recording.
Then pressed play.
Adrian’s own voice filled our living room.
“When the transfer goes through, she’s finished.”
Then Celeste.
“And the house?”
Adrian again.
“Already handled.”
Then:
“No accounts. No access. I’ll file immediately.”
Adrian stared at the phone.
His mouth opened.
Nothing came out.
The polished businessman disappeared.
What remained was a frightened man realizing the victim had heard the plan.
“Claire.”
His voice shook.
“Listen.”
“That isn’t—”
I held up one hand.
“Don’t.”
“Please.”
“You’re misunderstanding.”
I laughed once.
“Am I?”
“Celeste and I—”
“Save the affair explanation.”
His face tightened.
