Chapter 14 Revelations
Finished
The fire spread quickly, flames licking up the walls of the small room. Smoke thickened in the air, making it hard to breathe. I pressed myself against the door, my fists pounding on the wood.
“Help! Someone help me!” I shouted, coughing as smoke filled my lungs.
I heard footsteps rushing down the corridor, then a young voice on the other side. “Is someone in there?”
“Yes! It’s Seraphine! Nyra locked me in and set the room on fire. Please, open the door!”
“Lady Seraphine?” The maid’s voice was high with panic. Hold on, I’ll get you out!”
I heard the rattle of the doorknob as she tried to open it. “It’s stuck! The door won’t budge.”
“Please,” I begged, coughing violently. “Don’t leave me.”
“I’m trying!” The maid’s voice was desperate. “The lock won’t turn. I need to get help!”
“No, don’t go- But her footsteps were already retreating down the hall.
The smoke grew thicker. I grabbed the thin blanket from the bed, soaking it in the water pitcher before wrapping it around my head and shoulders. The flames were getting closer, the heat unbearable.
Emogen stirred within me. “Break the door down.”
I slammed my shoulder against it, once, twice. The wood creaked but held firm.
Minutes passed like hours. My lungs burned. I slid down against the door, the wet blanket pressed to my face.
Then I heard muluple footsteps rushing down the corridor.
“Seraphine?” Elian’s voice, sharp with concern. “Are you in there?”
“Yes!” I shouted through fits of coughing. “Get me out, please!”
“Stand back from the door!”
I moved aside as sornething heavy slammed against the door once, twice, three times. With a splintering crack, it finally gave way. Elian stood there with two of the noblemen guests, all three red–faced from exertion.
I stumbled forward, falling right into Elian’s arms. My legs gave out as I coughed violently.
“What happened? Elian demanded, supporting my weight.
Through watering eyes, I saw Nyra standing behind him. Behind her were several noble guests from the party, murmuring among themselves.
“Why are all these people here?” I rasped.
One of the noblemen stepped forward. “We heard the servant girl screaming about a fire. We came to help.”
“She said someone was trapped,” added another, adjusting his fine jacket now smudged with soot.
Lady Everette and Celeste came rushing down the stairs.
“What’s going on? We heard there was a fire!” Lady Everette stopped short when she saw me in Elian’s arms.
“Get the maids. Tell them to bring water buckets,” Elian ordered, helping me up the stairs. The nobles followed, whispering among themselves
I couldn’t stand being surrounded by so many people in such a small place. I was still choking from the smoke, I could barely
4.05 PM ch
(Revelations
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Chapter 14 Revelations
“I never sent money, he repeated firmly.
Everett paled. Then where was the money coming from?”
I inhaled sharply, then exhaled. “Me.”
They all turned to me.
Finished
“I covered this household’s expenses,” I said slowly. “For three years. Every meal. Every bill. Every repair. I paid for it.”
Everett gasped “But–you–how?”
I crossed my arms. “My family has always been wealthy. When my father and brothers died, the inheritance passed to my mother and me. Millions in gold bullion. Estates in every pack. We were never poor.”
“You’ve been paying the bills the last three years? My mother–in–law asked, her voice small. “Every fancy dress I bought myself and Celeste, denying you. Every debt we paid, every steak we ate, every repair and furnishing we did, it was all…”
She couldn’t even finish the sentence.
“Me.” I finished it for her. The entire
room
gasped.
“Wait.” Elian’s face darkened. “You mean to tell me I’ve been married to a rich woman this entire time?”
I tilted my head. “Disappointed?”
His eyes flashed with greed. “You’re my wife. That money is mine by right.”
A slow smile spread across my lips. “No, Elian. It isn’t.”
His jaw clenched. “You carry my surname-
“I never changed my name. I am still, and have always been, Seraphine Velkan.”
“We’re married, the law requires you to have taken my sumame. What is yours belongs to me.”
“Are you forgetting that we never consummated?” I raised a brow, everyone was stunned. “I intended to take your name once you returned from battle. So we could live happily ever after. But ever since you came back, you’ve done good to show me your true colors. All of you. I’m not changing my name, and you’ll never see a cent of my money,”
The room exploded. Everett screamed about betrayal. Nyra clung to Elian like a wailing child. Elian stepped forward, teeth bared. “You think you can keep that money from me?”
I stepped back, already exhausted. “Yes. And you can do absolutely nothing about it.”
His face twisted.
He sneered. “You’re my wife, you won’t survive without me.”
I let out a breath and dropped the final bornb. “I want a divorce.”
Silence crashed through the room, and my mother–in–law collapsed.
Send Gifts
