Chapter 41
Chapter 41:
“Since the board has required you to pause the divorce proceedings,” June said, each word precise, “I expect you to respect my boundaries. Unless a court appearance is mandatory, do not interfere with my private life p>
Cole’s jaw tightened. “I am still your husband, legally. I have a right to know where you’re going p>
The corner of June’s mouth lifted in a brief, humorless smile.
“A husband?” she repeated softly.
She let the word hang in the air for one long moment before delivering the final blow.
“No, Cole. You are not my husband. To me, you are nothing more than a legal acquaintance p>
The words hit him like an open hand across the face — shattering something in him that money and power could not repair.
June did not wait for his response. She stepped neatly around his frozen body, walked into the open elevator, and pressed the button.
The stainless steel doors slid shut between them, leaving Cole alone in the hallway with nothing but the crushing weight of his own regret.
у𝘰𝘶𝗿 ոе𝘹t 𝖿𝘢𝘷𝗼𝗋𝗶𝘵e 𝗿e𝗮𝗱 і𝗌 o𝘯.с𝘰𝗺
Three days later.
Eleanor Compton had been moved from the ICU to the penthouse VIP suite at Mount Sinai. The room looked more like a luxury hotel than a hospital, with panoramic views of Central Park stretching beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Eleanor lay propped against a mountain of pillows. She looked fragile, but her eyes were sharp and alert.
June sat in a leather armchair beside the bed wearing a soft, oversized beige knit sweater that concealed her bandages. She was quietly peeling an apple with a small paring knife, the skin falling away in one long, unbroken red ribbon.
The heavy mahogany door of the suite burst open.
The sharp, rapid clicking of stiletto heels struck the hardwood floor.
Alycia Beasley marched into the room carrying a massive, ostentatious fruit basket wrapped in gold cellophane. Two of Cole’s private security guards trailed behind her, visibly uncomfortable.
“I told you — I am Cole’s girlfriend!” Alycia announced loudly, trying to push past the lead guard’s broad shoulder. “I am here to visit my grandmother p>
Eleanor turned her head slowly from the television toward the doorway. The soft, tired expression on the matriarch’s face dissolved instantly, replaced by something cold and absolute.
Eleanor reached out a trembling finger and pressed the intercom button on the bedside table.
“Guards,” Eleanor said. Her voice was weak, but it carried the full weight of a woman who had run an empire. “Remove that woman from my sight p>
Alycia froze. The color drained from her perfectly contoured face.
She stood in the doorway, mouth opening and closing, before the lead guard took her firmly by the elbow and guided her backward into the hallway. The door clicked shut, cutting off her indignant gasp.
Eleanor exhaled slowly. She turned to look at June.
The old woman reached out, her frail, paper-thin hand covering June’s fingers where they rested on the paring knife.
“I am so sorry for my grandson’s stupidity,” Eleanor whispered, her eyes bright with unshed tears. “I will not allow a cheap imposter to destroy the foundation of this family p>
Before June could respond, the door opened again.