Chapter 41

Third-Person POV

Rose stared at Stefan, the wedding invitation sample still clutched in her hand. The gold-embossed lettering seemed to mock her now.

“What do you mean, postponed?” Her voice came out too high, too tight.

Stefan loosened his tie, exhaustion etched into every line of his face. “Just what I said. We need to push the wedding back. Until things stabilize with the company.”

“Push it back? Push it back?” The invitation crumpled in her grip. “We’ve sent save-the-dates to three hundred people. The venue is booked. The deposit is paid!”

“I know.” Stefan moved to the bar, pouring himself a drink without offering her one. “My father made it a condition of his help with the company. No distractions. Full focus on saving what’s left.”

Rose watched him toss back expensive scotch like it was water. The careful control she’d maintained all these years began to slip. “Your father doesn’t control our lives.”

“He controls the board. He c