Chapter 13

Zephyr kicked his sister away from me and then helped me to my feet. He stroked my hair gently, as if trying to take away the pain.

“Are you hurt?” Zephyr asked worriedly.

I grimaced as I touched the bruises on my arms. The golf club had left a red line on my pale skin, reminding me of the bruises Rowan often gave me.

“I’m fine. It will fade soon,” I reassured him.

Veronica stood up and laughed at me.

“Don’t pretend you’re innocent! You’re the one who hurt my son’s feelings!”

I glared at her.

I felt disgusted by her, especially since she had always blindly defended Rowan.

“Your son has abused me more than a hundred times,” I said coldly. “But you never wanted to admit it. Now you call me a slut, but the truth is your son is the one who acts like one.”

He had spread his pheromone all over town, letting so many women use him.

If Veronica wanted to insult someone, she should have started with her own son.

“Don’t make up things that aren’t true!” she snapped. “And what’s wrong with a little slapping or spanking? It’s discipline! He wouldn’t do it if you could behave!”

I clenched my fists.

I didn’t understand how she could think violence was normal.

What was wrong with her?

“Veronica!”

Zephyr’s voice roared through the room as he stepped between us.

“You dare barge into my house, attack my mate, and justify your abuse as ‘discipline’? You’re out of your damn mind!”

Veronica rolled her eyes.

“Oh, come on. Everyone knows a little abuse is normal in marriage. Even our fathers did it to our mothers.”

She continued, “And what do you know about discipline? You’re Father’s favorite son. Of course you never experienced his ‘discipline’ like I did.”

Zephyr clenched his fists, looking like he was trying his best not to strangle her.

“The past is no excuse,” he said. “What our father did was wrong, Veronica. And deep down, you know it. Don’t you dare pretend it was normal.”

“You talk as if your actions aren’t as disgusting as Father’s,” she shot back. “He marked two mates at the same time, but you…” She laughed bitterly. “You marked your nephew’s wife. You’re no better than a dog, Zephyr.”

Slap!

My hand moved before I even realized it.

I swung as hard as I could across her cheek.

The sound echoed through the room.

For a moment, everything froze.

My chest rose and fell heavily.

My hands trembled.

But my voice was steady.

“Don’t you dare speak of him like that,” I said coldly.

My eyes burned with fury.

“You can insult me. You can accuse me of anything you want. But Zephyr has done nothing wrong.”

Veronica turned her head slowly, holding her red cheek, momentarily speechless.

“You and your son poisoned me for years,” I continued. “Made me believe I was worthless. Made me live in fear.”

Zephyr stepped closer and placed a hand on my back, silently supporting me.

I lowered my voice.

“You call him disgusting… but what about you? What kind of mother raises a son to treat his wife like garbage?”

My voice cracked slightly.

“But you’re right about one thing. Zephyr is not like your father. He’s better.”

Veronica’s lips curled into a snarl.

“You little—”

“Don’t be mad at me for slapping you,” I cut her off. “Didn’t you say a little slap is necessary to discipline someone who’s misbehaving?”

Veronica raised her hand to slap me back—

—but Zephyr pushed her away.

“You’ve overstayed your welcome, Veronica. Get out before I forget you’re my sister.”

She smashed a nearby vase to the ground in frustration.

After releasing her anger, she turned to me.

“Remember this, Samantha. If you divorce my son, you’ll leave empty-handed.”

I lifted my chin.

“Have you forgotten who I am? I am Samantha Cole.”

I looked at her with pride.

“I can rebuild my fortune in no time.”

Honestly, I wasn’t even sure…

But I wanted to say something that would shake her.

Her eyes widened in disbelief and anger.

“How arrogant—”

“Leave,” Zephyr said coldly.

His voice carried a warning that ended everything.

Veronica’s nostrils flared as she looked between us.

Finally, she sneered.

“You will regret this.”

“I won’t,” I said simply.

Her heels echoed as she stormed out.

The broken vase and shattered pieces were left behind.

I took a shaky breath.

The moment she was gone…

My confidence disappeared.

My knees gave out, and I fell to the floor.

My hands trembled in my lap.

“She’s gone, Samantha.”

Zephyr crouched in front of me and pulled me into his arms.

“It’s okay. You’re safe now.”

I clung to his shirt, inhaling his scent to calm myself.

“Please… help me,” I whispered. “I just want this to be over.”

I was exhausted.

Completely tired of Rowan.

Tired of his mother.

And he didn’t even show up himself.

From that alone…

I knew.

He didn’t want a divorce because he loved me.

He wanted control.

“I’m really… really tired of him,” I murmured.

If I could go back in time…

I would rather die than marry Rowan.

Zephyr looked up at Arthur, who had been standing outside the door the entire time.

Arthur said nothing when Veronica attacked.

But his sharp eyes followed her every move, ready to act if needed.

“From now on,” Zephyr said firmly, “Veronica is forbidden from entering this manor.”

Then his voice deepened.

“If she tries to hurt my mate, you have my permission to act.”

Arthur lowered his head.

“I understand, Leader.”