Chapter 15 ‘Family‘
#Fmished
Second only to a pregnancy out of wedlock, a divorce is the most disgraceful thing in our sorry bora manage of special circumstances like mine and Elian’s, given the truth about my wealth has been revealed, and the superiority of my Velkan name still stands, the side that has the
to lose remains my husband’s family. This divorce won’t just cost them the
oppressed and never asked for what they wanted. It wasn’t until I almost died in a line that I
down and take this humiliation with my head bowed. Lam Seraphine Velkan. Three years ago, I was a force to be reckoned with. Today, I’m the wealthiest woman in the kingdoms and soon to be divorcee. After cut ties with any treacherous husband, I intend to ride to battle and hunt down the rogue assassin. I will avenge my family’s death, investigate my mother’s sudden demise and reclaim my throne as beta.
I stand in the study, ignoring all the screaming outside my locked door. Outside, Celeste hangs on the door, asking me to come talk to the doctor about the medical expenses needed for her mother’s treatment. Apparently, Rhian had refused to paay, insisting that the money he had would go towards his child’s future. Everett had suffered severely, but she’d just been diagnosed with high blood pressure and asked to maintain bediest and av
I stand in my room, watching from the window as the doctor enters his carriage and leaves, no doubt carrying the medication meant for my mother–in–law. After the party yesterday, the house had become the laughing stock of town
Elian, despite refusing to pay for his mother’s medications, had spent the last three hours in the bar drowning his sorrows His precious mate, Nyra, left an hour ago to try and track whichever bar my husband went to. Everything was going to shit, yet while all the debris fell, I was the flower left untouched in the middle of the battlefield Let them all suffer for a change
but
A small knock on my door, gentler this time, draws my attention. The scent in the hallway is new, hot familiar
“Mr. Grokon,” Emogen mumbles within me, barely hiding her excitement,
I march over and open the door, revealing the tall old man at the other side. He carries a small briefcase, squinting his brows in an attempt to see without his glasses.
“Mr. Grokon, it’s been so long,” I say to him, shaking his hand firmly.
“Four years, my dear, he smiles, stepping in. “That was the last time your family needed my services. When you bought that ranch, in the seventh pack” He turns to me, looking suddenly sad. “I apologize, time got ahead of me. I was too focused handling the will and matters of your inheritance. I never got the chance to offer my condolences for your family’s de And now recently, your mother’s
I try to act unfazed by her mention, wanting to get things over and done with first. I intend to close this chapter of my life quickly, so that I may start my revenge.
Tve called you here because I have two orders of business,” I speak, closing the door and guiding him to the seat in the study. Ever since my status as a wealthy woman was revealed, no one in the house questioned me when I locked myself in the guestroom. No one tried to kick me out or send me to the servant quarters, Unlike every day for the last three years, I wasnt woken up with cold water, I wasn’t yelled at or called stupid, no one asked me for food or to clean their plates. The house is as quiet as a graveyard.
Td like to divorce my husband, as soon as possible,” I speak. “Second, I seek to send an official letter to King Aldrich stoppin the crowning of the Dravens from ascending to the beta throne. I’d like to take him up on his offer and receive my birthright
beta of the Southern Kingdom”
Mr. Grokon removes his spectacles from his coat pocket and places them carefully on his nose. He opens his briefcase methodically, pulling out several documents.
uspected the first request,” he says, laying out papers on the small desk. “Iver since the spectacle at the party last nig word has spread faster than wildfire The divorce proceedings can begin immediately
A soft knock interrupts us. I inhale deeply, catching Celeste’s scent on the other side of the door.
“Just a moment,” I call out, nodding at Mr. Grokon to remain seated.
When I open the door, both Celeste and Everett stand there, wearing smiles so forced they might crack their faces. Everett’s eyes dart past me to Mr. Grokon, recognition flashing in them before she plasters on an even wider stile
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Chapter 15 Family
Celeste nods eagerly. “I made your favorite–roast pheasant with rosemary potatoes
I’ve never once mentioned having a favorite meal in this house.
“How thoughtful,” I reply coolly. “I’ll be down in a minute. I need to finish my business with Mr. Grokon first.”
“Of course, of course, Everett says, her voice honeyed. “Take your time, my dear. We’ll wait for you downstairs.
Celeste reaches forward and squeezes my hand. “Don’t be too long.”
Finished
They retreat down the hallway, Everett even reaching back to pull the door closed for me–a courtesy she’s never shown
before.
I turn back to Mr. Grokon, who raises an eyebrow
“Quite a change in demeanor,” he comments dryly.
“Amazing what the revelation of wealth can do, I reply, returning to my seat. “Now, about the divorce. I want everything protected–every estate, every gold coin, every asset. Not a single dime should go to Elian.”
Mr. Grokon clears his throat, shifting in his seat.
“Actually, Seraphine, there’s something you should know.” He shuffles through his papers. “According to marital law, Elian should be the one to divide wealth with you.”
I stare at him. “What are you talking about?”
“In our kingdom, the working spouse must split their earnings with the non–working spouse in a divorce. Given that you never officially worked during your three years of marriage-
“I paid for everything!” I interrupt
“Using your inheritance,” he counters gently. “But according to the law, you were a housewife while your husband was away at battle. This means half of Elian’s battle stipends rightfully belong to you.”
I fall back in my chair, stunned. “You’re telling me that not only does he have no claim to my wealth, but I have claim to his?” “Precisely.” Mr. Grokon adjusts his glasses. The irony is quite remarkable.”
I run a hand through my hair, processing this how to proceed.”
information. “I need some time to think about this. Give me the day to decide
“Of course.” He begins returning documents to his briefcase. “And regarding your second request–I’ll expedite the letter to Alpha King Aldrich immediately. He should know of your intentions to accept your birthright as beta within the week.”
“Thank you, Mr. Grokon.” I walk him to the door. “I appreciate your discretion in these matters.”
After seeing him out, I steel myself for the performance awaiting me downstairs. The scent of roasted pheasant wafts up the staircase, along with hushed, urgent voices that fall silent as I descend.
The dining room is transformed. Candles flicker on the table, fine china and a spread worthy of royalty covers the surface. Everett spots me first, rising from her chair with arms outstretched..
“Here she is My daughter, come sit beside me
I resist the urge to recoil as she guides me to a chair–the head of the table, no less. Celeste hurries over with a plate piled high with food.
“I made sure to give you the best cuts, she whispers, as though sharing a secret between friends.
“What’s going on?” I ask bluntly, looking between their smiling faces. “Why are you all being so… nice?”
Everett waves a dismissive hand. “Can’t a mother–in–law simply spoil her daughter–in–law in
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Chapter 15 Family
Family. The word they never once used to describe me before.
Just as Everett raises her glass in a toast, the front door slams open. Heavy footsteps stumble through the foyer.
Finished
Elian appears in the doorway, swaying slightly, a liquor bottle dangling from one hand. His eyes lock onto me, narrowing with undisguised hatred.
“There she is, he slurs. “The wealthy whore.”
“Elian!” Everett’s voice is sharp. “We were just having a nice family dinner-
He staggers forward, slamming the bottle down on the table so hard that plates jump and wine sloshes from glasses.
“Family” he spits. “She’s not family. She’s a thief
In one swift movement, he snatches up the bottle again and smashes it against the edge of the table. Glass shatters, sending shards across the pristine tablecloth. He points the jagged neck at me, amber liquid dripping onto the floor.
“I will kill you.” he growls, taking a step closer, “if you don’t give me the wealth that rightfully belongs to me.”
The room falls deadly silent, the only sound the steady drip of liquor hitting the floor.
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