Chapter Eight: Aurielle DuVall

I found Matthias’s mother lingering far from the crowd with her husband. They seemed to be in their own world. Matt’s parents are the nicest people in my life right now. They make jokes with me, not at me. Ask how I’m doing. Invite me to family dinner. They’ve made these three years not entirely horrible.

They like me, which is a nice change from all the evil and hate in my life. I let a breathe come out as i approached them. Trying not to feel even worse than i already do. I think morning sickness is finally catching up to me. Which is... i curse internally. I need to set up doctor’s apppointments.

I’m really bad at this. Handling everything by myself.

The moment Meriam Crowe spots me. Her loving smile that she had been giving to her husband turns into a smile of adoration as she sees me. Her arms come out, and i feel relaxed immediately.

“My beautiful daughter in law.” the moment I’m close enough she hugs me. “How are you?”

I breathed in her scent. The scent of the mother i wished i had. I hugged her back, smiling at my father in law. Maxwell Crowe had a good run as alpha of the Moonveil Pack. He was amazing and people assumed his son would be as amazing, as kind and as understanding. And Matthias delivered.

He is so nice and understanding, and just the most amazing Alpha to everyone who isn’t me. I am the problem to him.

I pulled back, keeping the smile on my face. “Meriam, I’m doing just fine.” i say before realizing how that would affect what i want to ask her. So i shake my head. “I am actually feeling unwell. Would you mind if we left early?”

Meriam immediately sprung into action, she turned to her husband. Whsipering to him that he should keep an eye on their son, and offer him support while she took me home.

I love this woman. My hormones must have been activated because i almost cried right then and there. And that would have been so embarrassing.

Maxwell told me that he was here for me too, and he followed us outside to where he could call their driver. What a gentleman. Watching him give her a kiss before opening the door to the back of the car for both of us. I got in first, and Meriam joined.

“Tell me what’s wrong?” she asked the moment the driver pulled the car away from the venue. She’s a delight. I wish her son liked me, even if it was the same way she liked me. That friendliness, my parents behave around them.

And the fact that they didn’t even like Nerissa makes me feel like they are truly my people.

“What’s wrong? You’re staring off, Auri.” Her sweet tone brought me out of my thoughts. She scooted closer, moving one arm around my shoulder and pulling me closer to her. I placed my head on her shoulder, and shut my eyes as i started to talk.

“I...” I swallowed. Hoping she won’t hate me. “I’m pragnant.” her grip on me tightened, and she exhaled. A really long exhale that made me feel queasy.

“Aurielle, why aren’t you happy with this news?” this wonderful woman.

“I... how did you-”

She moved me, and my eyes opened. We looked at each other, her gaze soft and protective. “What’s going on? Tell me.”

“Matthias believes I’m trying to seek his attention by faking my pre-gnancy.”

She frowned, narrowing her eyes. “I will beat that boy. How could he say such...is he still hung up on that brat?”

“No, no there’s no point. I’ve decided what’s best for me and my child, is to divorce Matthias.”

Meriam pulled her hands back and slapped them over her mouth. Her eyes went wide. “No no, my dear don’t. My son just needs to open his eyes. If you divorce him, Matthias will never know how amazing you are.”

I gave her a wobbly smile. “I’m sorry. But i can’t bring a daughter into his home. Or a son. Someone who will hear their father shout at me that I’m nothing compared to Nerissa.”

I have never gone into details about what Matthias says to me in the privacy of his home. Or the way he treats me. They don’t know about the punishments, but they’ve seen the photos of Nerissa all over the house and they’ve heard him say things.

She looks ashamed but also very sad. I picked up her hands, and held them.

“I love you and maxwell. You’re amazing, but I’m expecting a little child that needs me. And I... I need your help.”

She nodded, closing her eyes and trying to get herself in check. “I’m going to miss you. I hope we can be in our grandchild’s life. Even if my son...” she grinded her teeth but then took in two deep breaths. “What do you need?”

“A divorce form.”

Her sad expression was still there, but Meriam Crowe is a woman I adore because she whipped out her phone and made a call right there and then before I got home.

The information we got was interesting. I’d need to come in person to the council in two days to get the form from their workers. After that, I’ll fill it out, then submit it.

People don’t get divorced every day so after the thirty day wait i should be sent a response and a time for me to make an appearance. There’s just one issue.

For the divorce to proceed without further issues, I’d need the willing signature of my husband. If I’m unable to get this. Then i would need to get a summons form instead. Fill that out, submit and wait for a reply. A summons means the council will summon me and my husband to discuss our case, then force him to sign the divorce form which they will then discuss. And after that thirty day wait, then I’ll get to know if they’ve approved the divorce or not.

That is he-ll. It seems like I’m going to have to fight to get out of this marriage. But it shouldn’t be hard. Matthias doesn’t even like me. But he is stubborn.

Meriam said she wanted to be involved and that she would set me up with her doctor to ensure the fetus grows well during my divorce.

The Crowe family have given me more love than i have ever seen from my parents. Meriam dropped me off and i went straight to my room to shower and make some notes.

I was in my room, hours later when the door opened and a drunk Matthias stumbled in. I tensed immmediately. What does he want?

"Nerissa..." he mumbled drunkenly.

I choked back my tears. Once again, he was drowning in liquor, because of her—my dead sister.  Tonight was no different. 

But this time, I forced the storm inside me to still.

Because soon I'll leave him for good.