I nodded slowly, the slight movement sending a sharp ache through my temples.

“He came to my apartment,” I said.

“He had the papers with him,” I continued, my voice trembling. “The divorce papers.”

Marco looked back for a fraction of a second, his expression grim in the rearview mirror.

“What did he do to you, Elena?” Luke asked, his voice barely a whisper.

I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice through the exhaustion.

“He told me he would destroy you,” I said, a tear slipping down my temple.

“He said he would strip you of everything you worked for at Mercer Holdings,” I whispered.

Luke’s jaw clutched so hard I heard the joint click.

“He promised to ruin your career,” I said. “To make sure you had nothing left.”

“If I didn’t sign,” I added, “and if I didn’t disappear forever.”

I could feel the anger radiating off him, hot and sharp in the quiet car.

“So you signed them to protect me,” Luke said, his eyes darkening.

“I had to,” I sobbed. “I couldn’t let him ruin your life because of me.”