Chapter 516
Chapter 515:
Carmen pressed her forehead against the cool glass. Outside, the city moved on, indifferent to her crisis. Somewhere out there was the person who had destroyed her life. Who had forced her to destroy Justin’s. Who had stolen seven years, a child, and everything she might have become.
“I need to go out,” she said. “Alone. I need space. To think p>
Justin was quiet for a long moment. Then: “Of course. Take the car, or don’t. Whatever you need. Just be careful. And come back p>
She turned to look at him — this man who had married her twice now, who had built a cage of love and money around her, who claimed to want the truth while keeping secrets of his own.
“I’ll come back,” she said. And meant it.
Not for him. For answers. For justice. For the life that had been stolen from her.
She was halfway to the door when his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, frowned, and she caught a subtle shift in his expression — something that looked almost like satisfaction, quickly smoothed over.
“What is it p>
“Nothing important.” He pocketed the phone and smiled at her. “A colleague. I’ll handle it. Go — take your time p>
𝗥𝗲𝘢𝘥 𝗳𝗿𝗈𝗺 у𝗼𝘂𝘳 𝗉ho𝘯𝘦 о𝗻.сo𝗺
Carmen left. But as the elevator descended, she found herself turning the moment over in her mind: what could make Justin Collins look satisfied on a morning when his new wife had just confessed to keeping secrets?
The answer, when it came, would change everything.
The Collins estate on Long Island’s North Shore had been built in 1892, expanded in 1920, and renovated so many times since that the original architect would have recognized nothing but the view. Tonight it glowed against the winter dark, every window lit, the driveway lined with cars that cost more than most houses.
Carmen stood at the top of the main staircase, looking down at the scene below. The reception was intimate by Collins standards — only fifty guests, family and the closest of allies — but the wealth on display was staggering. The diamonds, the couture, the effortless confidence of people who had never once worried about money.
She touched her own necklace — a simple strand of pearls Justin had presented that morning, nothing like the ostentatious pieces worn by the women below. She was playing a role: the modest new wife, the grateful outsider, the woman who had married above her station and knew it.
The performance was exhausting.
“Carmen.” Justin appeared at her elbow, his hand finding the small of her back with automatic possession. “You look beautiful p>
“Liar. I look terrified p>
“That too.” He smiled, the expression reaching his eyes for the first time that day. “But mostly beautiful. Come — Father wants to introduce you properly p>
Elbert Collins was holding court by the fireplace, a glass of scotch in one hand, the other gesturing broadly as he told some story that had his audience laughing. He broke off when he saw them approach, his face warming with genuine pleasure.
“Carmen, my dear. Welcome to the family. Again.” He embraced her — a bear hug that smelled of tobacco and expensive cologne. “I have something for you. A small token p>