Page 165 of My Big, Fat, Accidental Billionaire Husband

“Sir—”

“The settlement, Arthur. That’s all.”

I hang up before he can argue further and press the intercom. “Eleanor, call a meeting of the executive team for 11 AM.”

“Yes, Mr. Rossi. Should I include Marketing and PR?”

“Everyone. And have Jake come up now, please.”

While I wait, I draft an email to my banking team authorizing Tatiana’s settlement payment, marking it urgent. I copy Arthur, just to make sure there’s no delay. She might hate me, but she’ll have her financial freedom. I owe her that much at minimum.

A knock at my door.

“You wanted to see me, sir?” Jake stands in the doorway, professional as always despite the events of the past week.

“Come in,” I gesture to the chair across from my desk. “I need updates on two things. First, Morgan Weiss.”

Jake sits, his expression neutral. “The leak to the Wall Street Journal went live this morning. Weiss’s reputation is taking a significant hit. Three of his clients have already dropped him.”

“And the home invasion?” I ask, my jaw tightening.

“Random targeting, sir. Not connected to Weiss.” Jake’s tone remains professional. “My police contact confirms the perpetrators are known felons with a history of break-ins at high-end properties. Part of a ring that’s been targeting millionaire condos across Manhattan.”

I nod slowly, a dark laugh escaping me. “Lucky for Weiss. You just saved his life.”

Jake raises an eyebrow, but says nothing.

“The second matter,” I say. “Security for Ms. Cole.”

Jake shifts slightly. “We’ve maintained discreet surveillance as instructed, sir. No direct contact. She’s been to her apartment, her office at Blackwell Innovations, and various meetings around the city. No signs of any threats.”

“Continue the surveillance, but increase the distance. She’s not to know she’s being watched.” When Jake raises an eyebrow, I add, “It’s not negotiable. Her safety is paramount, whether she wants my protection or not.”

“Understood, sir.”

After Jake leaves, I finally do what I’ve been avoiding. I pick up my phone and dial Tatiana’s number. It goes straight voicemail.

I hang up and open my messages. Voice memo is better than voicemail. No time limit.

I press record.

“Tatiana,” I start, then pause, gathering my thoughts. “I know you don’t want to hear from me. I wouldn’t want to hear from me either, after what I did. But I owe you this much. A proper apology. Not excuses. Just the truth.”

I move to the window, staring out at the city as I speak.

“I betrayed you in the worst possible way. I set you up with my brother because I was drowning in guilt over something that happened when we were teenagers. A home invasion. I froze. I hid while he was beaten. He was permanently scarred, inside and out. And I’ve spent years trying to atone for my cowardice.”

My reflection stares back at me from the glass, hollow-eyed and unforgiving.

“But there’s no excuse. None. What I did to you was unforgivable. I used you as a bargaining chip with my brother because I was too fucking weak to stand up to him. To stand up for you. To be the man you deserved.”

I take a deep breath, feeling the pull of stitches in my side.

“After you left that night, something happened. There was a home invasion at the penthouse. Men broke in, armed. And for a moment, I thought you were still there, in the guest suite. I shouted for you to lock the door.”

I close my eyes, remembering.

“I wasn’t a coward this time. I fought. Got shot in the process, just a graze. But I fought because I thought you were there. That you needed protection. It was only after it was over that I realized you were gone.”

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