Vaughn Manor hears you.”
Felicity’s expression twisted, and her voice dropped a few notches. “Selene, what’s gotten into you? You never used to be so aggressive!”
Seeing Felicity on the defensive, Dames sprang down from the couch like a little soldier, planting himself protectively in front of her.
“Mom, can’t you just be reasonable for once?”
He crossed his arms over his chest, scowling. “Dad works his tail off, and when he finally comes home, all he gets is your attitude. You’re an outsider–what right do you have to claim any of his money?”
His words hit Selene like a punch to the chest. She met his eyes and said, “Because I gave him children. Because I ran this household and raised
you both.”
But Dames scoffed at her answer. “You stay home all day and barely do anything! If you really want a divorce, then just get out! There’s no way I’m leaving this house with you.”
He lifted his chin defiantly, fully aware of Selene’s soft spot. After all, when had his mother ever been able to say no to him? Whenever he threw a tantrum, she’d drop everything to soothe him.
“Damien,” Selene called him by his full name.
“I never planned to take you with me. From the day you were born, you were raised as the Vaughn family heir. But I’m done revolving my life around you.”
She turned to Harrison, her tone resolute. “It’s all in the divorce agreement. I only want custody of Daph. I’m not fighting for Dames.”
Dames folded his arms, lips jutting out in a stubborn pout.
Yeah, right. Like he’d ever believe Mom would actually leave him behind. She just wanted to save face. If she tried to take him, he’d refuse to go. That’s why she was pretending she only wanted Daph–who was basically a mama’s girl anyway, with zero backbone.
Harrison’s gaze was cold. “Selene, do you really think you can manage that much. cash on your own?”
“What I do with my share after the divorce is my business, not yours.”
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Her reply made Harrison laugh, though there was no warmth in it. “You? Handle that kind of money? Give it a few months and you’ll be begging to come back.”
“Just sign, Harrison. I don’t want to argue anymore. Can’t we end, this cleanly?”
Felicity piped up, voice tight with indignation. “Selene, how can you be so greedy? You’re walking away with half of Harrison’s estate–what will people think of us? What will that say about the Thompson family?”
Selene shot her a wry smile. “If you’re so above money, then keep your hands off my purse in the future.”
“I would never!” Felicity shot back, but the words felt hollow. Somehow, she had the nagging sense Selene was outmaneuvering her, though she couldn’t quite see how.
Harrison’s tone softened, as if offering a compromise. “If you’re tired, take a break. Use my platinum card, go to Europe, shop until you drop. When you’re ready, come
home.”
He thought he was giving Selene a dignified way out, expecting her to take the hint and back down.
But Selene just lowered her lashes, exhaustion etched into every line of her face. “Harrison, I don’t love you anymore.”
For seven years, her job had been to run his household, keep the Vaughn family in order. At the end of each year, she’d hand over the expense reports to his mother for inspection. At random intervals, her mother–in–law would drop in, combing through the family’s finances with a fine–tooth comb.
Europe? The last time she so much as mentioned applying for a visa, her mother–in–law was on the phone within the hour, insisting she stay home with the
kids.
She’d been drowning in the Vaughn family’s quicksand for years, suffocating, always hoping Harrison would throw her a lifeline. But at the bottom of the pit, all she found were the jagged words of her own son, cutting deeper than any blade.
She was done waiting for rescue
If anyone was going to save her, it had to be herself.
Harrison gave a bitter laugh–the most she’d ever seen from him in all their years together. “Fine. As you wish. I’ll sign. I’m curious to see how you manage on your
own without me.”
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Chapter 13
