Chapter 6
My mom, Linda, looked at me and asked, “It’s only your first day of marriage, and you’re already back home? What are you planning to do about this marriage?”
I shrugged. “Didn’t I make myself clear at the hotel? I’m definitely getting divorced. I’ll be staying right here. That family brings nothing but bad luck.”
Sure enough, later that evening, Stellan called. “Baby, why aren’t you home yet? Is Dad okay?”
I snapped at him. “Now you think to ask if my dad’s okay? What were you doing all day? Busy comforting Rowena?”
The second I said her name, Stellan’s tone changed. He said, “Can you stop always going after her? There’s nothing shady between us. It’s not what you think.”
I let out a cold laugh. “Please. If something had happened between you two, I might’ve at least respected you for being a man about it. What disgusts me is you pretending to be some moral saint, while doing the nastiest, most cowardly crap behind people’s backs.”
Stellan tried to defend himself. “She’s been widowed for years and still takes care of my brother’s memory. When I was little, whatever good food or clothes we had, my brother always gave it to me. It’s only right I take
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care of her now.”
I suddenly realized how dense Stellan really was. Such an old–school mindset, and a blockhead on top of it.
“Stellan, if you feel so indebted to your brother, then divorce me and marry Rowena. Go take care of her like a good little boy. I don’t owe anyone anything, and I’m not about to stick around and play the fool with you.” I hung up. I wasn’t wasting any more breath on him.
Not long after, the doorbell rang. Linda checked the video intercom- surprise, surprise. It was Stellan with Elysia and Dorian in tow.
I opened the door and let them in. Glancing toward the hallway, I asked Stellan, “Well, where’s your precious Rowena? Didn’t drag her along this
time?”
“She stayed downstairs,” Stellan said. “She didn’t want to upset you any more than you already are.”
My blood was boiling. “Wow. You really can’t go anywhere without her, huh? How come you didn’t invite her into our relationship when we were dating? Barely married and already showing your true colors.”
Elysia quickly stepped in to play peacemaker. “Sweetheart, don’t be angry. This is all just a big misunderstanding. Look, your dad and I, we came over with Stellan to clear things up with your parents.”
Linda sat cross–legged on the sofa, arms folded, watching their little
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performance. “Well, look at this. What an honor it is for our humble. home. Thank you, Mr. Rookwood, Mrs. Rookwood, and your golden boy for coming all this way tonight. Now that you’re all here, go ahead and make your case. I’ve got time.”
Elysia’s face tightened. “Linda, why are you being so formal? The kids are married now. If they get divorced over something like this, it won’t look good for Lyra. It’s hard for a divorced woman to remarry, you know.”
Linda didn’t even blink. She grabbed the ashtray off the coffee table and hurled it at her. “Shut your filthy mouth! It’s 2025! Who the hell still looks down on divorced women? My daughter’s got parents who’ve got her back. She doesn’t need to marry anyone, especially not if it means putting up with your crap!”
Dorian quickly pulled Elysia aside. “Linda, that was over the line! You can’t just get violent like that. Be careful or I’ll call the police.”
Linda sneered. “Go ahead and call. I haven’t even reported you people yet for pushing my husband at the wedding and causing his injury.”
Stellan turned to me. “Baby, how’s Dad doing?”
I looked him up and down. “You really came here empty–handed to check on my dad? Very classy, Stellan. Oh, and stop calling me ‘baby.‘ It’s disgusting.”
Stellan reached for my hand. “I swear, I haven’t done anything to betray you. There’s nothing inappropriate between me and Rowena.”
