Do not confuse recognition with rescue.”
Twenty-three minutes later, Adrian entered the ballroom.
His hair was damp with melted snow.
He wore the charcoal suit Isabella had bought for their anniversary, but his tie was crooked and there was a faint streak of makeup near his collar.
He stopped when he saw Lorenzo seated beside her.
Then he noticed the folder.
Fear crossed his face before he replaced it with irritation.
“Isabella,” he said, approaching the table.
“What is going on?”
She looked at his collar.
Adrian touched it instinctively, then dropped his hand.
“You said Lorenzo needed me.”
“I needed you to come,” Isabella replied.
His eyes narrowed.
“You lied?”
The accusation was so shameless that Lorenzo’s fingers tightened around his glass.
Isabella remained calm.
“Where were you?”
“At work.
I told you.”
“Which office?”
“A client’s place.”
“Name the client.”
Adrian glanced at Lorenzo.
“Why are we doing this in front of your boss?”
“Because you came when you thought he called.
You ignored me twice.”
People at nearby tables had become very interested in their desserts.
Adrian leaned closer.
“You’re embarrassing yourself.”
The old Isabella would have lowered her voice.
She would have moved the argument somewhere private to protect him from consequences he had created.
This Isabella opened the folder.
She placed the first photograph on the table.
Adrian’s face emptied.
“Who gave you that?”
“Is it false?”
“It’s not what it looks like.”
She placed the second photograph beside it.
“Then tell me what it looks like.”
“She’s a consultant.”
A third photograph.
“Do you hold all your consultants like that?”
Adrian’s voice sharpened.
“Lorenzo had me followed? Are you insane? Do you understand what kind of man you work for?”
Isabella looked at the photographs.
“I understand the kind of man I married.”
Adrian reached for the folder.
Lorenzo placed two fingers on it.
The gesture was small.
Adrian froze anyway.
“Take your hand back,” Lorenzo said.
Adrian obeyed.
“This is between me and my wife.”
“Then speak to your wife,” Lorenzo replied.
“You keep speaking about me because the evidence has left you with nothing useful to say.”
