Chapter 14 - Nadine Castellano Takes the Stand
Carver opened the note.
YOUR FATHER CHOSE HER FAMILY OVER HIS OWN. YOU WILL TOO.
The nurse was Gideon’s daughter.
Carver’s niece.
Her name was Celeste.
Gideon had raised her on the belief that the Reigns family had been robbed by Nadine’s father.
She believed Ada represented the final transfer of everything Gideon considered his.
Celeste was arrested outside the courthouse the next morning.
She carried no weapon.
Only another forged biometric reader.
The threat ended without bloodshed.
Then Nadine entered court.
The defense attorney tried exactly what she expected.
“You stole confidential financial records after discovering your husband with another woman.”
“I copied suspicious transactions before I discovered the affair.”
“You hated Mr. Castellano.”
“I loved him.”
The courtroom went quiet.
Nadine looked toward Dominic.
He sat behind his attorney.
“That was why leaving hurt.”
The attorney changed tactics.
“You then married Mr. Reigns within days of giving birth.”
“Yes.”
“A rival crime figure.”
“Yes.”
“For protection?”
“Initially.”
Carver’s eyes lifted.
The attorney smiled.
“So your relationships with powerful men are convenient.”
Nadine did not flinch.
“My first relationship taught me that power without respect becomes a cage.”
“And your second?”
Nadine looked at Carver.
“That remains my decision.”
The answer ended up quoted in newspapers.
But Nadine cared about something else.
The evidence held.
Her accounting work connected every shell company.
Every payment.
Every false authorization.
Numbers finally did what she had always trusted them to do.
They told the truth when people would not.
Elias was convicted.
Gideon was convicted.
The stolen assets entered restitution proceedings.
Dominic accepted responsibility for financial offenses and received a reduced sentence for cooperation.
Nadine did not celebrate his imprisonment.
She also did not mourn the fall of his empire.
Amber began rebuilding her life.
Elena moved nearby but did not assume she was entitled to a place in Nadine’s.
They started with coffee.
Then lunch.
Then one afternoon with Ada.
Slowly.
No secrets.
No manipulation.
Carver filed annulment papers.
Nadine discovered them on the kitchen table.
Unsigned.
She carried them to his office.
“You filed these?”
“I prepared them.”
“Why?”
“The danger that justified our arrangement is over.”
“And?”
“You deserve the choice.”
Nadine looked at the signature line.
“You really would let me walk away.”
“Yes.”
“Even now?”
His voice became quieter.
“Especially now.”
Nadine put the papers down.
Then she removed her wedding ring.
Carver’s expression barely changed.
But she saw the pain.
Nadine placed the ring beside the papers.
“I won’t stay married because I needed protection.”
“I know.”
“I won’t stay because Dominic hates it.”
“I know.”
“And I won’t stay because you rescued me.”
“I didn’t rescue you.”
Nadine’s eyes filled.
That answer mattered.
“You gave me somewhere safe enough to rescue myself.”
Carver said nothing.
Nadine pushed the annulment papers toward him.
“Sign them.”
His jaw tightened.
But he reached for the pen.
He signed.
Then he slid the papers back.
Nadine signed too.
Carver looked down.
Their marriage was over.
Nadine picked up the ring.
Then she walked toward the door.
His face went still.
She opened it.
Stopped.
May you like
Turned around.
And said, “Now ask me properly.”
