The Tycoon's Secret Wife's Escape

Eliot delivered the news with a grave expression. "She jumped off the bridge. There's no current information about Ms. Charlotte Prescott's whereabouts"

I frowned, struggling to process his words. "What exactly happened?"

"Based on our gathered details, the vehicle transporting Charlotte Prescott to prison reported a mechanical issue. Shortly. after, the driver apparently lost control-the tire blew out without warning. The vehicle slammed into the bridge railing. and that's when Ms. Charlotte seized the opportunity, opening the door and jumped into the depths of San Francisco Bay" The reality of the situation slowly sank in, leaving me numbs. I could hardly believe it!

"Several witnesses posted videos online, and nearby CCTV cameras captured the entire sequence. Now, the police have heightened security across all neighboring towns."

I clenched my jaw, my thoughts racing, Charlotte-calculated and resourceful-had clearly planned this. But how? And more importantly, who helped her?

Lucas? No. After everything that had come to light, he made it unmistakably clear that he wanted nothing more to do with Charlotte.

My parents weren't a possibility either. Mom was still in the hospital, and Dad was buried at work. Given their principles, they would never lift a finger for Charlotte after the disgrace she brought to the family.

I considered my wider circle of acquaintances, but who among them would dare defy the police for her?

A dull ache spread across my temples as I massaged them, the pressure of unanswered questions growing unbearable.

"Is Grayson still tied up?" I asked, glancing at the clock.

"Yes, ma'am," he replied.

"Let him know I'll head to his office shortly." I closed my laptop and gathered my belongings, preparing to leave.

As I finished my conversation with Eliot, I sighed deeply, my mind still consumed by the mystery of Charlotte's escape.

The incessant buzzing of my phone pulled me back to the present. Message after message poured in, each demanding answers about Charlotte's disappearance.

Scowling, I slipped the phone into the bag. I don't have time for this!

I left the office and headed to Grayson's.

On the way, I watched the news segment about Charlotte. Her earlier threat lingered in my mind, filling me with unease 1 couldn't shake.

When I arrived at Grayson's building, the atmosphere was heavy. Eliot's staff had already left for the day, keeping the place quieter.

Grayson's assistant opened the door to his private office. The lights were dim, and the faint glow of his laptop screen illuminated his face, casting soft shadows.

It was the same somber ambiance I remembered from the night. I found him in

the kitchen after discovering the truth about Landon's identity.

"Is there something I should know?" I asked Eliot, my voice shaky with worry, my heart racing with an unexplainable fear.

The assistant avoided my eyes; his apologetic look and silence only worsened my fears. He wouldn't say a word before Grayson did.

I stepped inside, my chest tightening as Eliot quietly shut the door behind me, leaving us private.

"Gray?" I called softly, my voice hesitant.

His eyes met mine. The corners of his stormy gray eyes were red, evidence of a silent struggle he couldn't hide. My heart constricted at the sight.

"Uh, we can just go home if you're exhausted." I offered, forcing brightness into my voice. "I'll prepare the dinner." "Bella..." The way he spoke my name held a weight that tightened my chest. "I think... we need some time apart." His words felt like they sucked all the sound out of the room. My lips trembled as I tried to find something to say.noveldrama

I'd once told him I'd give him time and space if he needed it-after learning about his relationship with Landon and my unwitting role in his brother's death. Deep down, I'd known this moment might come, and I felt myself drowning in it.

Had his claimed workload been nothing more than an excuse to distance himself?

I should have been prepared, but the pain was unbearable-too much to contain. Tears spilled down my cheeks.

"The contract gives you final authority over our relationship." I managed to say, my voice trembling as I tried to hold myself together.

The word 'but tried to escape my th

I should have braced myself for this, knowing he held the power to decide the fate of our marriage. Yet, no amount of preparation could dull the ache of this moment.

"How long?" I asked him, my voice trembling.

One month, two months?

Was there even any point in holding onto hope?

I'd been through separations before, even broken up with Gabriel several times,

but the pain in my chest now felt like it was burning me alive.

"I used to be with you, Gray Fine! I'll pretend you're just on a business trip. The only difference is that I can't talk to you." I sobbed, the weight of it all crashing down. “But please, don't leave me without answers. Please tell me what you're feeling Do you hate me?"

"Bella. His hand clenched into a fist

I couldn't stop the sobs wracking my body.

He finally broke his silence with words that stopped my heart. "Charlotte was right.

I hate your family!"

The harshness in his voice stopped me dead in my tracks as he continued, "I became ruthless after Landon's death-and because of your family. I never should have married you."

"How can you say that?" I whispered, my voice breaking with pain.

"There's something you need to know, Bella" His voice became cold and detached like he was speaking to a stranger.

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"I'm the producer of the last series you acted in. I intentionally cast you and Gabriel Sterling, along with Sabrina Morrison: My plan was to get you, close to you, but then you offered me marriage... I didn't expect that. I was planning to hurt you, to make you pay for what your parents did to me."

Each word felt like a spike through my heart, making my breathing harder. "What did my family do?" I asked, feeling lost and confused, though it didn't really come as a surprise.

"Your family reported me for having a relationship with a minor!" Grayson spat, his anger evident. "Charlotte gathered the evidence herself, showing how close I was to you. Your family built the entire case against me and slapped me with restraining order."

So, that was it! That's what Charlotte was trying to say when she found out about my relationship with Grayson.

My legs felt weak, and I struggled to stay upright.

How could I have never known about this? Why hadn't anyone bothered to tell me the truth, the real reason Grayson had

vanished like a ghost all those years ago?

"Now, hate me, Bella!" his voice cold and final, like he was enforcing a restraining order.

He stood up abruptly, walking toward the adjoining room, severing what was left of our relationship,