Chapter 3 - Divorce Him… And Let Your Sister Die

Evelyn

How the heck did he get my number?

I frowned, irritation rising fast. He was already too much trouble. I didn’t need anything tying me closer to him.

I blocked his number immediately.

My eyes shifted to the cake on the table. I grabbed it and threw it straight into the bin. The smell hit me and I turned my face away, my expression tightening.

My hand went to the ring. I pulled it off, a little too forcefully, and dropped it into the bin after the cake.

He really had the nerve. Giving me things his mistress picked and made.

Disgust crawled over my skin.

I turned and walked into the next room, my steps quick, tense. I pulled out my phone and called my stepmother, telling her I wanted a divorce from Sebastian.

She yelled at me, her voice sharp and unforgiving, throwing the words at me like a threat.

“Okay. Divorce him and let your sister on life support die.”

The line went dead.

Sebastian was the one paying for everything, and If I left, I wasn’t just leaving a marriage. I was deciding my sister’s fate.

The message was clear without her needing to repeat it.

My jaw tightened as I leaned slightly against the wall, forcing myself to breathe.

If I wanted a divorce, then I needed money. My own money.

That thought stayed with me as I dialed my old manager’s number, my hands not as steady as I would have liked. When she picked up, her voice carried surprise.

“Hey… it’s been a long time. We haven’t heard from you since you left after your marriage two years ago. What’s the reason for this surprise call?”

“Is it possible for me to come back to modeling?”

There was a pause, then a soft laugh. “You were one of the best we had. You could have made it big if you didn’t leave.” Her tone softened slightly. “I’ll see what I can do. I’ll try to make space and get back to you.”

“Thank you.”

When the call ended, I exhaled slowly, the tightness in my chest easing just enough for me to think clearly. If this worked, I could leave.

I freshened up quickly and stepped out of the room, only to find Sebastian already waiting. His eyes moved over me before pausing.

“This isn’t the dress we picked.”

We? The word didn’t go unnoticed.

So she picked it too.

“We?” I asked.

He hesitated briefly. “I mean… me. Why didn’t you wear the one I bought?”

“This is comfortable,” I said, walking past him without waiting for anything else.

The company party was already in full swing when we arrived. The hall was large, filled with people, the chandelier above casting a warm glow while voices blended into a steady hum. The entire Moretti family was already seated at the table when we approached.

The moment we got closer, Mrs. Moretti’s gaze landed on me, and she rolled her eyes without bothering to hide it, her expression shifting instantly the second she looked at her son.

“Hello, Mom. Dad,” I said as I sat down.

“Hey, my daughter,” Mr. Moretti replied, smiling.

“It’s been two good years and this your wife still hasn’t gotten pregnant,” Mrs. Moretti said sharply, not even pretending to soften her tone. “I warned you against marrying her, but you didn’t listen. Now look at this. What happens if your brother Damon gets married and has a child? Do you even understand what that means?”

I lowered my head slightly, my fingers curling against my lap.

Sebastian and I had been trying. We had done everything.

And now… we were waiting for the doctor’s call for IVF.

“We’re trying,” Sebastian said, his voice firm, but there was tension beneath it.

Before, hearing that would have meant something.

Now, I didn’t even know what to feel.

“Keep trying,” she said coldly. “While Damon takes everything from you, and you sit here with a barren wife.”

The word hit hard.

“Mom,” Sebastian snapped, his voice sharp, even his father reacting slightly beside him.

“Am I wrong?” she shot back immediately. “Isn’t she barren?”

Sebastian pushed his chair back abruptly, anger clear in the way his jaw tightened. “If this is how you want to be, then maybe you won’t see your son again. We’ll take our leave—”

“And you,” Mrs. Moretti cut in sharply, turning to her husband before he could move. “I hope you don’t plan on giving this company to that illegitimate son of yours.”

Mr. Moretti’s expression shifted slightly, but his voice remained calm. “That’s for me to decide.”

Slowly, Sebastian sat back down, leaning slightly toward me. “I’m sorry about my mom,” he murmured quietly.

“Hey, family.” Damon's voice cut in as he walked in with a black suit that fit him perfectly, the top buttons undone just enough to expose a bit of his chest, sleeves rolled to his forearms, veins visible, tattoos lining his neck.

Mrs. Moretti frowned instantly, her expression tightening.

“You’re late,” she said, her tone sharp with clear disapproval.

Damon didn’t acknowledge it, his attention already shifting as he stepped closer to the table.

Then his eyes landed on me, narrowing slightly.

“You look stunning.”

I glanced at him briefly, nothing more, before looking away.

Sebastian leaned slightly toward me again, his voice low but edged with irritation. “What was that? How dare he call you stunning…”

Someone calling me stunning makes him jealous…?

I almost wanted to laugh.

The irony of it sat heavy, bitter, almost ridiculous.

Damon had already taken his seat, leaning back slightly, completely at ease. I sat opposite him, aware of his gaze, but choosing not to meet it.

“Damon,” Mr. Moretti continued, “when are you planning to get married and have kids? Since your brother doesn’t seem to be giving me grandchildren, maybe you should. At least the company would be secured.”

Mrs. Moretti shot her husband a sharp look. “What do you mean by that? Are you serious?”

Damon ignored the exchange, his blue eyes fixed on me, as if seeing right through me. “I think I’ve found the one for me,” he said calmly, a smirk playing on his lips as he bit his lower lip. “She’s right here.”

Where?” Mr. Moretti asked, his gaze moving around the table, Mrs. Moretti doing the same.

Damon let out a short laugh, adjusting his tie casually, like none of it mattered.

“It was just a joke,” he said, his eyes still fixed on me. “I don’t intend to settle down…”

He paused, his gaze not leaving mine.

“…unless she comes running to me.”

The words settled, quiet but deliberate.

“Which will happen soon.”