Chapter 12 - The Truth That Could Destroy Their Marriage|
Roman did not sleep that night.
Sadi found him in his study shortly after three in the morning.
He sat behind his desk with a stack of old contracts spread across the polished wood.
The room smelled faintly of coffee and rain.
Outside, thunder rolled across the city.
Sadi stood in the doorway.
"Come to bed."
Roman looked up.
"I need to understand exactly what Gerald gave the investigators."
"Your attorney will help you."
"Some of these documents are real."
Sadi stepped inside.
"Then tell me what they mean."
Roman stared at the oldest agreement.
"Five years ago, I approved financing for the acquisition of several waterfront properties."
"I know."
"Some owners complained about being pressured."
Sadi waited.
"Gerald assured me his representatives were following the law."
"Did you believe him?"
Roman looked away.
"I wanted to."
The answer hurt more than a denial would have.
"Why?"
"Because I was desperate to move my family business into legitimate investments."
His voice became quieter.
"And because the returns were enormous."
Sadi sat across from him.
"So you ignored warnings."
Roman lowered his eyes.
"Yes."
The word settled heavily between them.
Sadi remembered the frightened women at Harbor House.
She remembered what it meant to have no powerful person willing to listen.
And now the man she loved was admitting that he had once looked away from other people's suffering.
"Did you know anyone was being threatened?"
"I knew there were complaints."
"Roman."
He finally met her eyes.
"I didn't investigate as quickly as I should have."
Sadi's throat tightened.
"That's not the same as not knowing."
"No."
Silence filled the room.
Roman's hands remained perfectly still on the desk.
"I won't ask you to excuse it."
She looked at him for a long time.
"I love you."
His expression softened.
"But loving you doesn't mean pretending every choice you've made was right."
"I understand."
"Then you need to cooperate."
"I will."
"Even if it costs you money."
"Yes."
"Even if it costs you your companies."
Roman took a slow breath.
"Yes."
Sadi stood.
"Then we'll face the truth."
She walked toward the door.
Roman rose.
"Sadi."
She turned.
His voice was almost a whisper.
"Are you leaving me?"
Her eyes filled with tears.
"I'm going upstairs."
He remained motionless.
She took a step toward him.
"But I need you to understand something."
Roman waited.
"I can't build a safe place for vulnerable people while my own husband hides the ways his businesses may have harmed them."
He nodded.
"No more hiding."
The following morning, Roman appeared voluntarily for questioning with independent legal counsel.
He provided records from his former companies.
He identified the executives who had handled the disputed acquisitions.
And he authorized the production of relevant correspondence.
The process was uncomfortable.
Investigators examined transactions he had signed.
They questioned his relationship with Gerald Vale.
They asked about former employees with criminal records.
They also reviewed whether his companies had profited from coercive practices.
Roman did not attempt to intimidate them.
He answered through the proper legal process.
By afternoon, his attorneys informed him that several business accounts could face restrictions while investigators traced the transactions.
The news spread quickly.
Television commentators speculated about the future of the Voss empire.
Financial analysts discussed the impact on his holdings.
And social media accounts that had mocked Sadi now celebrated the possibility of Roman's downfall.
Trevor was especially pleased.
He called Sadi from a blocked number.
She answered only after Elena had advised her how to document the contact.
"Hello, Sadi."
Her body went cold.
"Trevor."
"I suppose you've seen the news."
"What do you want?"
He laughed.
"You always were impatient."
"Say what you called to say."
His tone sharpened.
"Your husband isn't untouchable anymore."
Sadi remained silent.
Trevor continued.
"My firm has documents that could put Roman in prison."
"Then give them to the investigators."
"Or I could make this easier."
Sadi frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
"Gerald wants the Harbor House lawsuit dropped."
"That's not happening."
"It might if you understood what's at stake."
Trevor lowered his voice.
"Your precious husband has a lot to lose."
Sadi tightened her grip on the phone.
"Are you threatening him?"
"I'm offering you a choice."
She said nothing.
Trevor sounded pleased with himself.
"Make a public statement admitting that Roman used you to interfere with the redevelopment."
"That's a lie."
"People will believe it."
"And then?"
"Then my firm won't pursue certain allegations against him."
Sadi stared at the wall.
Three years earlier, Trevor had controlled her through guilt and fear.
Now he was attempting to use her love for Roman in exactly the same way.
But he had forgotten something important.
Sadi was no longer the woman who apologized for surviving.
"No," she said.
Trevor laughed.
"You haven't even heard the whole offer."
"I've heard enough."
"You could lose everything."
Sadi looked toward her wedding ring.
Then she answered calmly.
"Trevor, I lost everything once."
She paused.
"And I survived you."
His laughter stopped.
She continued.
"Roman will answer for what he actually did."
"But neither of us will confess to your lies."
Trevor's voice turned vicious.
"You'll regret this."
Sadi ended the call.
She immediately informed Elena and provided the details for her records.
But later that evening, a message arrived from Trevor.
It contained a photograph of a payment authorization bearing Roman's signature.
Attached was a note.
Ask your husband who really paid for Harbor House.
Sadi stared at the document.
May you like
The payment had been issued just weeks before the disputed transfer.
And the amount was almost three million dollars.
