The Kane estate gates were barely behind them before Adrian's sharp voice cut through the air.
"You're not supposed to speak to my mother like that in public."
Elena froze in the foyer, still clutching her handbag. "I didn't say anything rude. I only"
"made it sound like I forced you into this marriage," he bit out, his jaw tight. "Do you know what that does to our family image?"
The butler quietly slipped away, sensing the tension.
Elena's fingers curled around her purse strap. "I didn't ask for this marriage. You did. And if you're so worried about your image, maybe you shouldn't treat your wife like a prop."
That was all it took.
Adrian's hand slammed against the wall beside her, his shadow falling over her. "Watch your words, Elena. I can make your life far more miserable than it already is."
She swallowed hard, refusing to back down. "You already have."
His eyes flickered, something unreadable, but before he could speak, the front door burst open.
A camera flashed.
Then another.
"Mr. Kane! Mrs. Kane! Look here!""Are you two fighting?""Mr. Kane, are you divorcing already?"
Security rushed forward, but it was too late. The paparazzi had caught every second, Adrian's hand on the wall, his face inches from hers, her defiant glare.
Adrian stepped back, his expression an icy mask. He straightened his tie and muttered low enough for only her to hear.
"Congratulations, Elena. Now the whole city knows our marriage is a disaster."
The reporters swarmed closer, cameras clicking like gunfire."Mr. Kane, is this the end for the two of you?" one shouted.
Adrian didn't answer.
Instead, he turned toward the crowd with a smile so practiced it looked carved from stone. But before he could speak,
A reporter's voice rang out, cutting through the chaos.
"Mr. Kane, are you divorcing already?"