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