Chapter 9 - THE MARRIAGE BUILT ON A LIEElena felt as though the air had disappeared from the room.
“My cousin?”
Alejandro nodded.
“Your father's brother had a relationship with Lucía Aranda before Adrián was born.”
Rafael stood perfectly still.
For years, he had believed Gabriel died abroad.
Now he understood why Victor had concealed the adoption records.
Adrián was not merely an adopted prince.
He was connected to the Montoya family through blood.
And the marriage between Adrián and Elena had brought two branches of that family together without either spouse knowing.
Elena looked at Rafael.
“Did you know?”
“No.”
“Are you certain?”
His expression broke.
“Elena, I would never have allowed you to enter that marriage if I'd known.”
She believed him.
But belief did not erase the shock.
Nicolás stepped closer.
“Does Adrián know?”
Alejandro shook his head.
“I doubt it.”
Clara closed her notebook.
“We need to verify this with records and independent genetic testing before treating it as established fact.”
Elena nodded slowly.
She was grateful someone in the room was still thinking clearly.
That evening, Elena returned to Rafael's home.
She stood beneath the shower for a long time, letting warm water run over her face.
She had spent years trying to become the perfect royal wife.
She had learned the proper way to greet ambassadors.
She had memorized the history of noble families.
She had attended charity dinners, hospital openings, and endless ceremonies.
She had smiled when Adrián interrupted her.
Apologized when he embarrassed her.
Excused his cruelty because he was under pressure.
And now she was discovering that their entire marriage had been arranged around secrets neither of them understood.
Her phone vibrated.
Adrián.
She stared at the screen.
Then answered.
“What do you want?”
His voice sounded different.
Less certain.
“Elena, we need to talk.”
“We've already talked.”
“No. We haven't.”
She remained silent.
He continued.
“I know about the adoption.”
“Then you know your mother lied to you.”
“She says Rafael is trying to destroy the monarchy.”
“My father is trying to expose what happened to my mother.”
Adrián exhaled.
“Can we meet?”
“No.”
“Elena, please.”
She closed her eyes.
That word had once meant something.
Now it sounded unfamiliar coming from him.
“Adrián, you hit me.”
Silence.
“You humiliated me in front of your family. You threw me out of our home. And you never once asked whether I was safe.”
His voice lowered.
“I was angry.”
“That isn't an excuse.”
“I know.”
She waited.
Then he whispered:
“I'm sorry.”
For a moment, Elena felt the old ache of loving someone who had hurt her.
But she did not surrender to it.
“I'm glad you can say that.”
“Elena—”
“But an apology doesn't undo what happened.”
He said nothing.
She continued.
“I need distance. And I need you to respect that.”
The call ended.
The next morning, Clara arrived with disturbing news.
The palace's financial records showed that Adrián had authorized enormous transfers from the royal charitable foundation.
Millions had disappeared into offshore accounts.
Elena stared at the documents.
“Did Adrián know where the money was going?”
“We don't know yet.”
“Could Victor have manipulated him?”
“Possibly.”
Clara placed another file on the table.
“But there's something worse.”
Elena opened it.
Inside were copies of contracts bearing her signature.
She recognized the signature immediately.
But she had never seen the contracts.
“What is this?”
Clara's expression was grave.
“Someone used your identity to authorize the sale of several properties belonging to the Isabella Montoya Heritage Trust.”
Elena's hands went cold.
“How?”
“Forgery.”
She looked up.
“Who signed them?”
Clara hesitated.
“The documents were witnessed by Prince Adrián.”
Elena stared.
May you like
Then Clara delivered the final blow.
“If those transactions are not challenged immediately, Elena, you could be accused of helping steal the very inheritance your mother died protecting.”
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