Chapter 48
His voice was cold and unyielding. “I can make every contract you’ve ever signed worthless. If you want to fight me in court, go ahead. Let the judge decide just how much I owe you after seven years of marriage.”
He wanted Selene to understand: all the money he’d ever given her was nothing but charity.
And when he decided to stop being generous, Selene would finally see just how brutal reality could be.
Yet in this moment, as if standing in the eye of a raging storm, Selene felt an unexpected calm settle over her.
Because her resolve had never been stronger.
“Harrison, I know the world runs on power and privilege. But don’t fool
yourself you won’t always be standing on top.”
In his office, Harrison froze, certain he’d misheard her.
He let out a short, incredulous laugh. “Still dreaming, Selene? You could work yourself to the bone for thirty years and you’d never be my equal.”
The gulf between them–the chasm of birth and status–had been carved long before either of them could choose.
He’d never thought she was good enough.
A girl from the countryside, brought to Capital City at eighteen. So what if she got into the Aldonia Institute of Technology’s elite program? Every year, kids from poor families clawed their way into Vaughn Enterprises, hoping for a miracle.
If it hadn’t been for her adoptive father’s favor, he never would have married Selene. He’d repaid his debt. And Selene? She didn’t know how to be grateful.
He was tired of playing her little divorce game. Time to end this farce.
“Selene, your ‘gold card‘ to the good life expires today.”
He laughed, a mocking, icy sound. “If you want to fight over the settlement, fine. I’ll
see you in court.”
He had the best legal team in the country. He’d make sure Selene scraped by on a measly three grand a month in child support.
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10:23
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He’d let her watch as Daph was kicked out of her private preschool, tuition unpaid, while Selene stood powerless.
Selene was forcing him to drop the mask of civility and show just how ruthless he
could be.
Harrison hung up.
Selene stood by the landline, numb, barely able to process what had just happened.
Moments later, the phone rang again.
Somehow, she knew this call was for her too.
She picked up. The voice of the building manager came through the receiver.
“Miss Thompson, per Mr. Vaughn’s instructions, I’ve changed the entry code for Azure Vista Villas. He says you have one hour to remove your personal belongings-”
“Throw them out,” Selene interrupted, her voice steady.
“I–what?”
The manager sounded taken aback.
Selene replied, “Daph and I won’t be coming back. Ever.”
She hung up and stepped outside, waiting for her ride in front of a corner store.
She bought a ripe peach, wiped it clean on the inside of her shirt, and took a big
bite.
Harrison and Dames always wanted crisp peaches, so the house was stocked with nothing but. Once, Selene had brought home a bag of soft peaches.
Gemma had lectured her, insisting no one in the family ate those. “Mom, I want them,” Selene had said.
Gemma had laughed, mocking her greed, shaming her for wasting money on her own whims.
They were a wealthy family. They’d never once treated her like she belonged.
Who was she, to think she could want things in the Vaughn household?
Selene ate the peach in big, hungry bites.
She knew that once she got through this, there would be endless peaches, sweet and soft, waiting for her on the other side.
10:23
Distantly, the roar of an engine cut through the rain. Selene looked up to see a black sports car tearing through the downpour, headlights slicing the mist.
Her heart skipped. For a moment, it felt like time was folding in on itself–a flashback to seven years ago, when she’d raced into the city, chasing her dreams.
The window rolled down. Adrian’s face appeared–eyes bright, a reckless grin dimpling his cheek.
“Get in!”
