Chapter 18: The Elder’s Demand
Chapter 18: The Elder’s Demand
(Samantha’s POV)
William Pierce drove silently as we made our way back to Blackwood Manor. The sleek car glided through the night, its engine barely audible.
“Thank you for the ride,” I said, breaking the comfortable silence. “And please thank Hector again for his hospitality.” William nodded, his eyes remaining on the road. “Mr. Grayson was pleased to have you as his guest, Luna Reed.” The formal title made me wince slightly. I wasn’t sure how much longer I’d hold that position.
As the car approached the manor gates, I reached into my purse and pulled out Hector’s handkerchief. I’d washed it in his bathroom before leaving.
“Would you return this to Hector?” I asked, holding out the neatly folded square of fabric. “I’ve cleaned it, but I’m sure he’d want it back.”
William accepted it with a slight bow of his head. “Of course.”
The car came to a stop in the circular driveway. William stepped out to open my door, but I was already sliding out. “Good night, William,” I said with a small smile. “Drive safely.”
I turned toward the house, then froze. Ethan stood in the courtyard, his tall figure illuminated by the moonlight.
His eyes were fixed on William’s retreating form, his jaw clenched tight. I could practically feel the tension radiating from him.
“Who was that?” Ethan asked, his voice deceptively calm.
“A friend’s driver,” I replied coldly, walking past him toward the front door.
Ethan fell into step beside me. “A friend? The same one who’s been sending you text messages?”
I stopped abruptly. “Have you been checking my phone?”
“James checked the flight manifests,” Ethan said, ignoring my question. “Ryan Zhao arrived in Ravenwood City yesterday.”
The name caught me off guard. Ryan was an actor I’d worked with briefly before meeting Ethan. We’d remained casual acquaintances, nothing more.
“What does Ryan have to do with anything?” I asked, genuinely confused.
Ethan’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “You tell me, Sam.”
“Don’t call me that,” I snapped. “And stop investigating my friends. We’re getting divorced, remember?”
His smile vanished instantly. “About that-”
“I’m filing the papers tomorrow,” I interrupted. “You need to move out.”
“Sam, please,” Ethan’s voice softened. “I’ve taken care of everything. Rebecca is being relocated to another territory.”
My blood ran cold. “Taken care of? Like she’s some problem to be disposed of?”
“That’s not what I meant,” he backtracked. “I’m just trying to fix things between us.”
“There’s nothing to fix,” I said firmly. “It’s over, Ethan.”
F7
Chache 18 The Elder’s Derma
He stepped closer, his familiar scent washing over me. “You don’t mean that. We belong together.”
I backed away. “Don’t touch me.”
“Sam-
“I want a divorce,” I repeated, each word precise and clear. “Nothing will change my mind.”
I turned and walked into the house, leaving him standing alone in the moonlight.
(Ethan’s POV)
+15 Puntos
I remained in the courtyard long after Samantha disappeared inside. The sandalwood scent lingered in the air, making my
olf bristle with territorial rage.
That scent. I’d smelled it before, but couldn’t place it. Definitely not Ryan Zhao–his scent was more citrusy.
1 pulled out my phone and reviewed the security footage from the gate cameras. The lighting was poor, and the angle made it difficult to identify the driver clearly.
But based on the build and height, it could be Ryan. My jaw clenched at the thought of him spending time with my mate.
I dialed James. He answered on the first ring.
“Make things difficult for Ryan Zhao,” I ordered without preamble. “I want him to understand the consequences of
trespassing on what’s mine.”
*Consider it done, James replied. “How difficult are we talking?”
‘Use your imagination,” I said coldly. “Just make sure it can’t be traced back to us.”
I ended the call and lit a cigarette, something I rarely did except in moments of extreme stress.
The smoke curled upward toward the night sky as I stared at the moon. “No one can take you away from me,” I murmured.
‘No one.”
Later that night, I settled on the sofa in the den. I could have used one of the guest rooms, but I wanted to be visible.
Wanted Samantha to see me making this small sacrifice.
She’d always had a soft heart. In the past, she’d forgiven me for far less dramatic transgressions–working late, missing
anniversaries, the occasional harsh word.
This was different, I knew. But Samantha’s capacity for forgiveness had always been her most predictable quality.
I waited, listening for her footsteps on the stairs. She would come down eventually–to get water, to check if I was
comfortable, something.
She didn’t come.
As midnight passed, then one AM, then two, disappointment settled heavy in my chest. But still, hope remained.
“Sam,” I whispered to the empty room. “You will forgive me someday.”
(Samantha’s POV)
I sat on my bed, phone in hand, scrolling through my contacts until I found Marcus Bennett. We’d dated briefly before I
met Ethan, and he’d since become one of the territory’s most respected attorneys.
My finger hovered over the call button. It was late, but this was important.
I pressed call. He answered on the third ring, his voice alert despite the hour.
“Samantha? Is everything alright?”
Chapter 18 The Elder’s Dema..
“I need a lawyer,” I said without preamble. “For a divorce.”
There was a brief silence. “I see. When would you like to meet?”
“Tomorrow, if possible,” I replied. “I want to move quickly.”
“I’ll clear my morning schedule,” he said. “Come to my office at nine.”
+15 Puntos >
After hanging up, I opened my email and found the message from Diana Grayson about the film project. I’d been hesitant about returning to acting, but now it seemed like the perfect opportunity.
A chance to reclaim my identity beyond being Ethan’s mate. Beyond being the Luna who failed to produce an heir.
ed a quick response expressing my interest in the role, then set my phone aside.
would mark the beginning of my new life. A life focused on healing and my own passions, not on meeting
s expectations.
protective hand over my still–flat stomach. “We’ll be okay,” I whispered. “Just you and me.”
The next morning, I slept later than usual. Pregnancy fatigue was hitting me hard, and I’d tossed and turned most of the night.
When I finally made my way downstairs, I was greeted by an unwelcome sight. Margaret Blackwood sat in my living room, dressed in a designer suit that probably cost more than most people’s monthly salary.
Her fingers were adorned with multiple rings, and a top–grade emerald jade necklace hung around her neck. Excessive jewelry had always been her weakness.
“Finally decided to grace us with your presence?” she said by way of greeting. “Do you know your husband slept on the sofa last night?”
I ignored the barb. “Would you like some water, Margaret?”
Her eyes narrowed at my casual tone. “Water? Is that how you treat family? No tea, no coffee?”
“I didn’t realize you were coming,” I replied calmly. “The maids haven’t prepared anything yet.”
“Typical,” she sniffed. “Always unprepared.”
I sat across from her, maintaining a neutral expression. “What brings you here so early, Margaret?”
She leaned forward, her jewelry clinking softly. “Let’s not pretend, shall we? You’ve been a disappointment from the beginning.”
“Have I?” I kept my voice steady.
“You disrespect your in–laws, you’ve failed to bear children, and you live off my son’s wealth while contributing nothing.” she spat.
I let her words wash over me without reaction. “Is that all you came to say?”
Margaret’s lips curved into a cruel smile. “No, actually. I brought you something.”
She reached into her designer handbag and pulled out a document, sliding it across the coffee table toward me.
“A divorce agreement,” she announced triumphantly. “One million dollars compensation. Ethan keeps everything else.”
I glanced at the papers without touching them. “How generous.”
“More than you deserve,” she snapped. “In the old days, women like you would be cast out with nothing but the clothes on their backs.”
Chapter 18 The Lider’s Dema
I couldn’t help but laugh. “One million for five years of marriage? For enduring countless fertility treatments? For supporting Ethan while he built his empire?”
Her eyes hardened. “You should be grateful for my generosity.”
“If you want more from me,” I said sarcastically, “why don’t you just cut flesh from my body? That would be more straightforward than this insulting offer.”
$14 R
Margaret’s smile widened, revealing perfectly whitened teeth. “You know about Rebecca Taylor, don’t you? She’s carrying
Ethan’s child now.”
The words hit like a physical blow, but I refused to show it.
“My son loves her,” Margaret continued, clearly enjoying my discomfort. “She’ll give him what you never could–an heir,”
She pushed the papers closer to me. “Sign these and get out of his life. You never deserved to be his wife anyway.”
2
Comentarios
Mira videos gana puntos (0/10) >
Votar
48
4/4
