The Stranger I Married novel · Chapter 12 of 24

Chapter 12: WH Holdings

I did not remember the elevator.

I remember Carly's hand on my back, the lobby's cold marble and the revolving door spitting me out into Michigan Avenue wind.

I remember crossing four lanes against the light with the slip crushed in my fist.

I remember the ballroom.

It was empty at noon.

The work lights were off, and the birch ring hung over the dance floor.

Elias stood alone under it with his coat off and his sleeves rolled, setting out gold chairs one by one.

He looked up when I came through the doors.

He saw my face, and the paper, and whatever he saw there made him put the chair down very carefully.

"Carly," he said. "Would you give us the room?"

"She stays if she wants to," I said.

"I'll wait outside," said Carly, and she gave Elias a look that could have sharpened knives.

The doors closed.

The ballroom was so quiet I could hear the scaffolding tick.

I walked across the parquet and held out the slip.

He did not take it.

"WH Holdings," I said. "What does the W stand for?"

"My father's initial."

"He started the company.

He's been dead five years.

I use the name for my own money."

He took a long breath.

"Maya, I'm going to tell you the truth, and I'm not going to soften it.

Will you let me finish?"

"Did you pay that man?"

"Yes."

The word dropped between us.

I had expected a speech.

I had expected, God help me, an excuse.

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