Megan’s POV
Chapter 170
“You’ll ruin everything. The press will dig up everything, about Mellan, about the forged documents, the stolen accounts…” Jane continued with begging eyes.
“Then maybe they should,” I snapped.
Jane’s lips parted, like she didn’t know how to argue with that. Like the truth was finally louder than her control.
She stepped toward me like she was going to take the file from my hands.”
My lawyer blocked her, calm and composed. “Do not touch her.“”
Jane’s hands shook at her sides. “Megan,” she said again, voice soft now, almost pleading. “I know I messed up. I know we did wrong. But you don’t have to burn it all down.”
“You already did,” I said. “I’m just done pretending I can live in the ashes.”
Her expression crumbled. She looked between me and my lawyer like she couldn’t decide who to argue with.
“You think your family would’ve done better?” Mr. Cross scoffed suddenly. Loud. Defensive. “The Sages begged us to take you in. Begged us to marry you off to Jaxon. Because Mellan was too precious and you-”
“Was obedient?” I cut in. “Palatable? Easier to parade around?”
He flinched but didn’t deny it.”
“Let me remind you,” I added, voice sharp, “my family didn’t give me to you. They trusted you. They believed I’d be protected. But you didn’t protect me. You used me.”
Mrs. Cross stepped up beside him. “We did what any family would’ve done, we protected our name. We gave you a place here. You should be thankful.”
“Thankful?” I repeated. “You think I should thank you for what? For making me a shameful wife in your family? For making me invisible?”
“We gave you a life,” she snapped.”
“No,” I said. “You gave me a lie. And you expected me to live inside it quietly.“”
“Watch your tone,” Mr. Cross warned.\
**
My lawyer didn’t even blink. “She’s not your daughter–in–law anymore. You don’t get to threaten her.”
Jane looked like she was about to break.
“! was good to you,” she said, her voice cracking. Tears slipped past her pride.
I almost laughed at what she said, “Good?”
さ
“You had me assaulted, Jane. You tried so hard to humiliate and make me disappear for three fucking years,” I said, reminding her what she’d done to me for the past years.
That cracked something in her. She stepped forward like she might physically stop me.”
My lawyer moved in between us again, firmer this time. “That’s enough.”
“Don’t let her sign it,” Jane snapped, turning toward my attorney like this was still negotiable. “She doesn’t understand what she’s about to start!”
my
“She understands perfectly, er said. “Now leave.”
“She’s making a mistake!” Jane’s voice
press will tear us apart+”
Shot up, full hysteria now. “This will destroy everything! The board will collapse, the
Mr. Cross raised his voice. “You don’t get to shut us out like this. You are nothing without this family.”
“I was nothing because of this family,” I
Jane reached for the folder.[
said.
Security was already at the door. I don’t know who buzzed them. Maybe my lawyer. Maybe the front desk saw this coming. Two guards stepped inside. Calm. Professional. Like they’d seen this kind of meltdown before.N
“Maam,” one said, looking directly at Jane. “You need to go.”
“You’re letting her destroy everything!” she screamed.
“She’s protecting what you tried to steal,” my lawyer answered coolly.N
