Page 128 of The Truth of Us

Theo says Elliot has officially lost his mind.

That made me pause.

In what way?

Her response took longer this time.

The good kind.

Three dots appeared, disappeared, and then reappeared .

The Happily Ever After kind.

I stared at the message for a long moment before locking my phone and setting it face down on the desk. I wasn't sure such a thing existed.

I waited until that evening. The townhouse was quiet; my father was still at the foundation finishing meetings that had run hours longer than planned, and I had changed into leggings and one of his old university sweatshirts that swallowed me whole. The city glittered beyond my office window. I opened my laptop. The interview was everywhere. Every network, social platform was circulating a clip of his interview at the entrance of the foundation. I chose the full version. Because if I were going to hurt myself, I might as well commit.

The video started; I was being jostled, surrounded by security and all the reporters who had gathered outside the foundation. I had barely been in the office when security decided it was safer for everyone if I worked from the townhouse. Then Elliot showed up seemingly out of nowhere and stepped into the frame. I braced myself for the polished smile and practiced answers. For the version of Elliot Vale that could charm a room while saying absolutely nothing. Instead… He looked tired. Like someone who hadn't slept properly in weeks. I knew that look. I was wearing it myself.

The questions started immediately.

Did you know?

Was it strategic?

Did she pursue you?

Did you pursue her?

Was it real?

I had heard pieces of it before security hurried me into the SUV. But it was fragmented, and I was trying my best to keep my panic at bay and stay strong. What I hadn't heard was everything in between.

Every moment ‌Elliot could have chosen himself, but didn't.

"I pursued her."

The words settled heavily inside me.

"I hurt her."

My throat tightened. I paused the video and stared at the frozen image of him. I took a deep breath and then hit play again from the beginning. When the reporter suggested I had attended events with him because I wanted access to Northwell, I watched something change in his face. Like he'd suddenly realized just how ugly people could be. Then came the part that finally undid me.

"If you want someone to criticize..." He paused. "...criticize me." I blinked hard, as I watched and listened with every part of me. "If you want a villain..." Another pause. "Use my name."

I hadn't expected that. Not because Elliot wasn't capable of taking responsibility. Because the Elliot I had known would have spun the story in his favour, deflected so the damage landed somewhere else, and he never would have put himself in a position where it could cost him something. This… this had the potential to cost him everything.

The interview ended. The suggested videos beneath it were already speculating about Northwell's losses. I clicked on one, and the financial analyst spoke excitedly.

"Northwell stock has dropped nearly six percent since Mr. Vale's statement this morning..."

I closed the laptop and rested my forehead against my folded arms.

My chest ached because this wasn't fair. None of it. It would have been so much easier if he'd stayed exactly the man I'd left.

The days that followed settled into a strange rhythm. Every morning there were more articles. Some defending me, or defending him, some insisting the relationship had been fabricated, and others insisting we'd secretly become engaged. Apparently, anonymous internet strangers knew far more about my love life than I did. I stopped reading them, mostly. Instead, I worked. I threw myself into everything that I wanted to be a part of, the reason for me stepping up beside my father. Foundation meetings, grant proposals, budget reviews, and community partnerships. Every day I stood beside my father. Every day he treated me less like someone he needed to protect and more like someone preparing to lead. It felt… Good. Purposeful. Real. I focused on that and tried to block out all the unnecessary noise, which is easier said than done.

Then I started noticing something else. Northwell started to show up. Not officially. There were no announcements, partnerships, or press releases. Just… Them.