Chapter 6
The next day. Declan brought Vanessa and Camden to the funeral home.
The staff told them I’d already taken our baby’s ashes.
Declan frowned:
“What the hell is Raven up to now? First she has our baby cremated early, now she’s running around with the ashes.”
“I used to think she was at least a good mother. Turns out she’s so hell-bent on spiting me, she’ll even ruin her own daughter’s funeral. She’s completely lost it!”
He called me, but I hung up.
Declan’s face darkened as he told his assistant:
‘Raven’s definitely hiding at home. Go get her, and tell her my patience is limited. If she keeps acting crazy, I won’t let our baby into the Morrison family plot!”
Minutes later, the assistant rushed back, pale-faced:
Mr. Morrison, we have a problem. The guard says your wife left yesterday and never came back. She left this for you.”
eeing the divorce papers, Declan’s eyes widened in disbelief:
Raven wants to divorce me? On what grounds?”
anessa leaned over, unable to hide her joy.
This is great, Dec! Raven finally got lost. Just sign the papers and officially bring me and Camden home…”
he gentle Declan she knew suddenly turned cold:
Vanessa, I promised you Camden would be my only heir as compensation for not giving you my name. But I never said I’d marry you.”
Raven will always be my wife. You’re my mistress at best-basically just a homewrecker. Don’t forget your place!”
‘anessa’s face went white. She bit her lip pitifully:
Dec, you misunderstood. I just think Raven’s making a scene over yesterday’s little incident, embarrassing everyone. She’s being childish. I feel bad for you.”
Raven’s always been stubborn. If you give in to her once, she’ll walk all over you forever. I thought maybe if you divorce her first and marry me, she’ll get
ealous and come crawling back…”
Enough, Vanessa. I indulge you, but I’m not stupid. Drop the act, or I’ll make you and Camden move out and reconsider the whole inheritance thing.”
anessa opened her mouth but didn’t dare say more, though hatred flashed in her eyes.
Men’s promises change so easily.
Declan felt irritated beyond measure.
Before this, Vanessa had always said nice things about me in front of him.
But the moment she saw I wanted a divorce, her true nature showed.
Seemed he’d spoiled Vanessa too much, let her get ideas above her station.
Though he could’ve taken Vanessa with him, he said coldly
“I’m going to find Raven now. Take a cab home with Camden.”
After telling his assistant to cancel the funeral, Declan ignored Vanessa and Camden, driving off without looking back.
On the road, Declan floored the gas pedal, inexplicably panicked.
He kept seeing yesterday’s scene-me kneeling on the floor, collecting bracelet fragments while Vanessa stomped on my hand.
Declan could tell Camden had done it on purpose, knew Vanessa wanted revenge.
Both were important to him-he couldn’t look biased in front of the kid.
So he’d felt this weird anger at me for hitting Vanessa, leaving him with no excuse to protect me.
Even angrier that I’d crawled on the floor collecting pieces of that damn bracelet.
Back then, Declan didn’t understand where the anger came from, or why he hadn’t had the guts to stay in the living room when he’d had those men destroy my
uterus.
But this panic made it clear.
There was no “both are important.”
He’d always loved me, which is why seeing me kneel and get hurt pissed him off.
When had his wife ever been so pathetic?!
But Declan was confident-he didn’t believe I’d actually leave him.
After years of marriage, we’d fought before. I never had the heart to really walk away.
Raven, I know you’re just mad at me, went out to cool off. You’re probably home crying right now. I’ll make it up to you…”
Declan figured with all my family gone, I had nowhere to go except the home he’d given me.
But walking through the front door, he realized he was wrong.
hose divorce papers weren’t just spite.
All my things were gone. Our baby’s too.
‘d really left.
Declan stood frozen, feeling helpless for the first time.
Vanessa texted:
Dec, Camden and I are home. Where are you? I made your favorite dish.”
Sorry for saying those things earlier. Won’t happen again. I’m worried about Miss Carter disappearing too. Dec, talk to me. Don’t handle this alone-at least let ne be there for you…”
Declan softened. Maybe Vanessa had some ambition, but she was fundamentally kind. He’d been too harsh earlier.
le went upstairs to apologize to Vanessa.
ust as he was about to knock, he heard Camden complaining loudly inside:
Mommy, is daddy coming back? I better wash my hands again so I don’t stink him out.”
That little bitch’s bone bracelet smelled so gross! I washed my hands forever and it still reeks. Good thing you stepped on it on purpose, mommy. That mean ady looked so ugly and funny when she cried, hahahhah…”
