Children of the Cauldron: Book One of An Domhan

"Get out!"

Jane winces in pain, her hair forcefully tugged. She never expected that hand to grip her hair so roughly. "Austin... it hurts. Please, let go."

"How many times do I have to say it, Jane? Get out of this house."

Jane receives a shove, almost hitting the edge of the table. Luckily, her husband Austin didn’t push too hard. Yet her head throbs in pain. She feels like her hair is coming loose from the roots, maybe even left in Austin's tight, clenched fist, as if he's ready to strike her.

Jane shivers in fear but tries to maintain a smile. She doesn't care about the cake she just finished making to welcome her husband home. Jane thought there might be a little care this year in Don Austin William's heart, the man who still technically is her husband. In the past few months, Austin's emotions haven't been as evident as usual.

That's why Jane dared to hope that maybe, just maybe, Austin had changed.

"My tolerance limit has been reached, Jane!" Austin glares fiercely and mercilessly at his petite wife. He doesn’t care about the fear Jane displays in her eyes. He's sick of having this woman as his wife.

This ridiculous marriage has to end today. What reason does he have to keep Jane? None. The main instigator, Charles Don William, his father, breathed his last a month ago. The man Austin looked up to succumbed to cancer that had been gnawing at him for a long time. If it weren't for his father's request, Austin wouldn't have bothered to accept Jane as his wife.

"Maria!" Austin's voice thunders like lightning, causing the pillars of the opulent white and gold-themed house to tremble with his ferocity. Maria, a middle-aged woman who serves as the head maid in this house, hurries over, trembling in fear, her eyes glancing sadly at the woman cowering under the table. She wants desperately to help the gentle-hearted woman, but her fear of the man before her outweighs it all. He could be the most terrifying man she's ever encountered.

"Y-yes, Sir." Maria quickly bows, afraid of further provoking her enraged master. Though her eyes glance pleadingly at the woman curled up under the table, wanting desperately to assist her, her fear of the master surpasses her empathy.

"Get rid of this woman's clothes! I don't want to see her lingering around here."

"Austin," Jane immediately acts, attempting to reach for her husband's leg. "Please, don't kick me out. I... I apologize if I've wronged you. I'm willing to accept your punishment, Austin. Please... don't kick me out."

Austin doesn't care. He swiftly shakes off the hands that touched his legs. Then, with a forceful kick, he strikes the woman's arm. His eyes look down on her disdainfully as he says, "Your mistake has plagued my life, Jane. How foolish of you to accept my father's offer five years ago." He reaffirms his position with the woman who is still technically his wife.

Ah... not even twenty-four hours, and their status will certainly change. Money can expedite things, especially when it comes to divorce papers. He's been waiting a long time for the moment to divorce Jane. If it weren't for his father and mother's affection for the woman pleading before him, Austin wouldn't have allowed Jane a chance to step into this house.

Especially being a part of the Don William family.

"Never dream of being part of my life, Jane," Austin grips Jane's cheek with emphasis. Up close, Austin admits Jane has a pretty face. But Austin's the loyal type. There's only one person he loves in this world aside from his mother.

"There's only one person who will be Mrs. Don William, Jane. And it's not you. It's Calysta Abraham. You should've known that."

Jane's eyes well up. She's heard harsh, hurtful words from Austin so many times. Unfortunately, Jane always finds a way to rationalize it. She believes love will come into Austin's heart as time passes. Even when Austin openly cheats on her, Jane forgives. She's confident that someday Austin will come back to her embrace.

"Before my patience runs out, Jane, leave." Austin releases his grip on Jane's cheek. There's no mercy in his heart even as Jane sheds tears. He's seen Jane cry many times because of his words and actions.

Does he care? Not at all.

He won't forgive the girl who casually takes advantage of her parents' kindness just for status and a comfortable life filled with wealth. Pretending to be a noble and gentle figure just to catch her parents' attention. Also acting like a devoted child; caring for her father during chemotherapy until his passing.

Nope.

Austin isn't touched at all by any of Jane's actions in this house. His heart's cold and can only gaze at one woman; his lover and the apple of his eye. The one he'll make the lady of this house once Jane is gone.

"Give me three days to pack, Austin," Jane tries to stand up, wiping away the tears that won't stop flowing. "Please."

Austin firmly shuts his eyes, sighs deeply, a thunderous sound in his chest before speaking emphatically. His index finger is right at the tip of Jane's nose. Austin realizes Jane is immediately petrified by his behavior.

"One day, Jane. I don't want to see you here any longer."