She had encouraged the marriage.
Not because she loved me.
Because having a Bellamy inside the Holloway family gave her access to information.
She assumed I was an emotionally fragile foundation employee with no knowledge of corporate ownership.
Grant had not married me as part of the plan.
His affection, at least initially, had been real.
Mavis simply saw an opportunity after he proposed.
She spent seven years making me feel small so I would never ask why the Holloways were interested in Bellamy funds.
Grant stared at her.
“You knew who she was?”
“I knew her father had assets.”
“You told me she had nothing.”
“You would have behaved differently if you knew.”
The words struck him harder than the divorce papers.
Even his mother understood that his love depended on perceived power.
Grant looked toward me.
“Seraphina, she manipulated both of us.”
“No.”
He waited.
“She manipulated you. You chose how to treat me.”
