Chapter Four: A Leverage Out of The Storm

Silvia’s POV

I went home feeling a mix of relief and worry. Elliot had agreed to the contract marriage, but his proposal was suspicious. Why did he want to extend it by six months? Was this tied to the reason he'd approached me earlier? I had no way of knowing, so I focused on the task at hand.

“Come back tomorrow,” Elliot’s words echoed in my ears. “By then the documents would be ready… And you'd have the legal buffer to walk out of that marriage any time you want.”

If another billionaire had said that, I would have doubted them. But I knew Elliot Salvatore from years of keeping tabs on him. Well, he wasn't the only one I kept tabs on… I’d already obtained information about Winston's rivals over the years. It was a habit ingrained into my system.

When I got out of my car, I stood outside the mansion for a few minutes. I didn't know how to face people who didn't even love me. Should I yell at them? Or should I stay quiet, pretending everything was okay? It was very difficult making a decision. But I reined in my emotions... I had to consider my unborn child's future.

I opened the door and walked into the house. My mum and Jasmine were watching TV in the sitting room. They were so fixated on whatever show they were watching that they didn't notice me.

“Good evening, Mum,” I greeted, interrupting them.

Mum tilted her head at me, a complicated emotion on her face. I could tell because she'd always looked at me this way… As if I was an asset that she couldn't afford to lose.

“Silvia,” she replied, raising an eyebrow. “Where are you coming from?”

I glanced at Jasmine. My so-called younger sister didn't even bother to look up at me. How could she, when she was having an affair with my husband?

I frowned, realizing that I'd be divorcing Winston tomorrow. There was no reason to call him my husband anymore.

“I went to the hospital,” I lied.

“I thought you returned?” Mum peered at me. Obviously, she wasn't buying my story.

“I had to do a test at another hospital…” I said, lowering my head so she wouldn't see my deadly glare. “Maybe it's a mistake from the equipment… Or the data. I can't just give up…”

Mum shook her head slowly. “Silvia, you're barren… We all know it. Why are you pursuing something so vain? I mean, no one's forcing you to be a mother.”

Is that what she has to say? I raised my head, staring at her with tears in my eyes. She hadn't offered a single word of comfort in five years. All she ever did was blame me for being childless... As if my body had failed on purpose.

“I'm going to sleep,” I said flatly. “I'll see you tomorrow.”

“You sound angry,” Jasmine finally spoke up, tilting her head at me. “Is something wrong?”

I noticed how she asked if something was wrong… It was as if she was suspecting I'd found out about their affair.

“Why do you think something would be wrong?” I asked her.

Jasmine became speechless. She quickly averted her gaze, looking at the TV screen.

‘Better…’ I said inwardly as I walked off to the bedroom.

Thankfully, Winston was already sound asleep. So, we didn't engage in any fake intimate conversation. I thought I'd be able to sleep quickly, but I didn't. Instead, I spent the entire night crying.

I woke up around 8:00 a.m. and took my bath, preparing to meet Elliot. Winston was still sound asleep when I left. Knowing that he'd probably sleep with Jasmine when I was gone made me more heartbroken… But I didn't put much thought to it, because I'd be out of this miserable life soon.

I called Donna and asked her to meet me at the Salvatore family estate. I didn't have the time to explain things, because I had a deadline. There were only six days left for me to claim my inheritance…

Elliot was already waiting for me with his butler and attorney. They stood beside him with serious expressions, their eyes fixated on me.

“Good day, Mr. Salvatore,” I greeted Elliot. I also exchanged pleasantries with the butler and attorney.

“Shall we?” Elliot began, raising an eyebrow.

“Sure,” I nodded.

He glanced at his attorney, who nodded immediately.

“Mrs. Bradley, we've prepared the divorce papers,” the attorney said. “You only need to sign and pass them to your husband.”

He slid a file toward me, adjusting his glasses. I took the file and flipped through the documents, reading every clause. But I wasn't in a hurry to sign.

“Let's wait for my attorney,” I told them.

“There's no rush,” Elliot smiled.

Donna Grey arrived a few minutes later, led by Elliot's butler. I heaved a sigh of relief when I saw her.

“Attorney Donna Grey,” Elliot's attorney greeted her with a smile.

Donna replied. “Attorney Smith Lee.”

She was unsmiling. I couldn't help but feel as if these two had a history.

“Let's go straight to business,” Donna said. From her tone, I surmised that she already knew what was happening.

Smith explained everything that happened yesterday to him, including my proposal and Elliot's. Donna listened attentively, jotting down his statement on her notepad.

When Elliot's attorney was done, Donna read through the divorce papers and marriage contract.

“Everything is in place,” she finally looked up at me. “You can still read through the documents…”

“I've already done so,” I replied. “Let's sign the documents.”

Elliot nodded at me, taking out his pen from his breast pocket. He signed his own copy of the marriage contract quickly, a smile tugging at the ends of his lips.

I stared at him suspiciously, but there was no changing my mind. I signed the divorce papers and marriage contract. The clause stipulated that we'd get married in two days—a contract marriage which would last for six months. I didn't complain about anything, because I had a deadline. I had to get things done.

“How am I sure Winston will sign the papers?” I asked. “I know you've got the legal buffer… But he's a very powerful man. You should know that because you spent years trying to bring him down.”

Elliot leaned forward. “If he refuses to sign the divorce papers, tell him to remember 29th July…”

He didn't offer any explanation.

I exchanged glances with Donna, furrowing my brows. She seemed to read my expression and asked, “What happened on 29th July? And why is your client extending the contract marriage by six months?”

“My client wants to keep things confidential,” Smith smiled. “Except you want us to pry into your client’s secrets…”

“No need,” I interrupted. I already had what I needed—the legal buffer.

Now Winston wouldn't be able to stop me from leaving the marriage. He'd have no choice but to sign the divorce papers.