Page 17 of Not His Bride

“Doesn’t matter,” Renata says. “Between Debbie Jovi’s video clip and the reporters seeing the drama first-hand, everybody is talking about the wedding debacle.”

But are they talking about how we humiliated Lilith?

Fig clears his throat. “We can leverage the fact that Debbie acted independently of her family’s wishes—”

One of the juniors types something on her laptop. The other waits, watching me for a reaction. When I don’t, Fig continues, “We’ll draft a statement that Lilith Cortez acted under considerable emotional distress at the ambush orchestrated by her sister, and the families are working together to resolve—”

“No,” I interject.

All four look up. Even Renata is caught off guard.

She recovers fast. “Gallagher, the optics are what matters here. If we don’t claim emotional duress, the press will assume you were at fault. We need to frame this as a momentary emotional response. Otherwise, Jovi Group will lean into the ‘Gallagher never picked Lilith’ angle.”

I refuse to sway. “The only thing going out is that the merger is canceled at my direction. That any failure of the arrangement is my responsibility. Lilith Jovi’s name is not to appear in any background communication, public or private, as a liability or negative actor. I want to be very clear: she is my wife, and we will not endorse any negative attention to her.”

The younger of the juniors tries a new angle. “We could soften it. Say it’s a mutual misunderstanding. Or a private family matter.”

“Absolutely not.” I look directly at her. “No language that blames or softens at Lilith’s expense. Do you understand?”

She nods.

Renata folds her arms. “This will cost you. Investors are skittish now.”

“Then it costs me.” I keep my voice level.

Fig starts to say something, but I watch as he thinks better of it.

Nobody argues after that.

I’ve just fed Gumby when my phone rings again. This time it’s Phillip Jovi.

I answer, putting him on speaker while I wash my cat’s bowl. “What?”

“Good morning to you, too.”

“I’ve had better ones.”

“So have I.” There’s movement on his end, followed by what sounds like a door shutting. “I assume you’ve spoken with your people.”

“I have.”

“Then you know we have several problems.”

“Mmm. Only one matters, though.” Betraying my wife.

He doesn’t catch on. “Lilith resigned from Jovi Group this morning.”

I stand there with Gumby’s wet bowl in my hand. Then I smile.

After what I learned yesterday, Jovi Group needs Lilith a hell of a lot more than she needs them. She’s been fixing Debbie’s mistakes, negotiating contracts, launching in new countries, and making millions for a family that still treated her like the backup daughter.

“No shit,” I say, though I can’t keep the approval out of my voice.

“She sent an email to practically everyone she’s ever worked with. Effective immediately, she’s out.”

“Good for her.”

“Excuse me? Gallagher, she walked out on her responsibilities because she’s emotional. But we can still fix this. My people called me saying that your people said the merger’s off, but hear me out.” He pauses for dramatic effect. “Debbie is available.”