8. THE UNSIGNED PAPERS

Catherine's palm remained extended between us, her eyes fixed on my closed fist.

I stared at her, my cheek burning from the slap. She had actually hit me in front of everyone and still expected me to obey her. "Open your hand, Kiera," she gritted out.

I let out a disbelieving laugh, shaking my head subtly. "You slapped me, and now you want to give me orders?" I asked, looking at her...

"Don't make this more difficult than it needs to be," she said, stepping closer with her fingers reaching for mine.

I pulled back, slipping my hand beneath my sleeve. The brass key slid against my wrist, and I pushed it up till it sat under my sleeve.

She caught my movement, but by the time she reached forward, I had already opened my palm in front of her. "Happy now?" I asked.

She stared at my palm, then looked at my face. "Where is it?" Her voice sounded hoarse, probably from old age. This woman should just take a seat and rest, I mean, fucking retire and leave me with my peace...

"Where is what?" I tilted my head, my cheek still stinging. "You should be careful, Catherine. Your imagination is going to give you a headache."

Serena rose from her seat, walking towards me. "Kiera, just give it to her. Whatever Grandpa gave you, it belongs to the family."

I turned toward her. "Then why are you so desperate to know what it is?" Her lips parted, but no answer came.

Catherine grabbed my wrist, and I immediately pulled away. "Touch me again, and I will make sure you regret it," I gritted out.

Her expression changed. "You have become incredibly disrespectful," she hissed.

"And you have become incredibly comfortable putting your hands on me." I stepped away from her, then turned to the lawyer. "Leave the documents with my secretary. I'll have my legal team review them before I sign anything."

"That won't be necessary," Catherine interrupted. "The acknowledgment is a standard procedure." She half-yelled while I swayed lazily.

"Then you won't mind waiting." I didn't give her time to respond. I walked out of the study, ignoring Serena's muttered complaints and the lawyer's attempt to call me back.

I had barely reached the staircase when another cramp twisted through my lower stomach. I stopped, gripping the railing.

"Arghh," I groaned, clutching my tummy and standing still. After several seconds, the pain passed away. What was wrong with me?

I couldn't afford to fall apart now.

I sat on my bed, leaning against the headboard. My eyes remained wide open, staring at the ceiling. Everyone was probably asleep, but I just couldn't lie down without...

Another wave of nausea hit me. I barely made it to the bathroom before throwing everything up.

This was the third time in two days. I washed my face and stared at myself in the mirror. My skin looked pale, and my eyes were tired.

I can't do this. Pregnancy is too much of a burden to carry right now, and Alex...

I shook my head, returning to the bed, but sleep didn't come easily.

By morning, I stood up with only one thing in mind: ending everything I had with Alex...

The smell of coffee turned my stomach before I reached the breakfast table.

I stopped beside my chair and watched the maid pour a fresh cup. The aroma rose toward me, and nausea crawled up my throat.

"Please take that away. Bring me water instead," I said, and the maid looked at me, surprised, before scurrying away.

I sat down and forced myself to eat a little toast. My appetite was practically nonexistent, but I needed something in my stomach.

Levi entered a few minutes later, holding his tablet. His gaze moved from the untouched coffee cup to me. I slowly lifted my glass. "Do you have a reason for sitting here and irritating me this early?"

"I haven't even said anything, but yes, I do," he said, placing his tablet on the table. "Kevin brought your schedule this morning. He was unusually eager to find out whether you'd be leaving the estate and whether you had any legal appointments."

I lowered my glass. "Why?" The words left my lips, and my head felt a little dizzy. Now even talking was a problem...

"That's what I asked myself. Then I remembered that Alex's office contacted the estate yesterday."

My expression hardened while he continued. "They asked whether you were available to meet him today."

I pushed my plate away.

"Call my lawyer. I want an update on the divorce." I continued toward my study, already planning what I would say to Alex if he showed up.

If he wanted to discuss the divorce, he could do it through his lawyers. I had no interest in another conversation where he tried to convince me that everything he had done was somehow my fault.

Inside my study, I called my lawyer myself. "Good morning, Miss Lancaster," he answered, and I cut him off before he could utter another word.

"Tell me what's happening with the divorce." There was a pause.

"Mr. White's legal team has not signed the agreement. They've raised several objections, and we've responded to each one. However, they continue to request extensions."

"On what grounds?" I closed my eyes briefly. "Forget it, just make sure he signs." I ended the call and sat back in my chair.

Alex doesn't want to sign the divorce. A smile appeared on my lips. You can keep your excuses, but I'm done asking for permission.

Several minutes later, I walked out of the study room when a voice called out, "Miss, Sir White is in the living room," Kevin said, but my eyes dropped to the white roses in his hand. "He brought these," Kevin added.

The same flowers he used to send me whenever he wanted to smooth over an argument without admitting he had done anything wrong.

I walked down the stairs, my expression cold, and watched him step closer. "Drop the filing, and I'll forgive you." What audacity!

For several seconds, I didn't move. Then the laughter burst out uncontrollably. "Forgive me for what?" I asked. "For leaving you? For refusing to stay married to a man who betrayed me? Or for finally deciding that I deserve better than whatever scraps of affection you occasionally throw my way?"

"Kiera—" he called, his voice clipped and annoyed.

"No. Keep your flowers and forgiveness; they're worthless anyway," I said, stepping around him.

His hand caught my arm, but I looked down at his fingers until he released me. "You're making a mistake," he said.

I turned back, then spoke slowly. "The only mistake I made was believing you deserved another chance for a minute." My heart ached even when my face remained distant. I walked away.

Levi was waiting in my study when I returned. "What is it?" I asked, and he smiled brightly, pushing one document towards me.

"Do you remember signing this two years ago?" he said enthusiastically, and I frowned, staring down at my signature.

I glanced at the page. It was a credit guarantee connected to when Alex's company was falling. Come to think of it, his company was always falling...

At the time, I hadn't thought much about the details. I had trusted him to handle the business side of things.

"This is still holding on due to your legal status as his wife. Once you divorce, it's invalid," Levi said behind me...

Two years ago, I had signed it because Alex had asked me to trust him when I told him that money was my life savings... That was as though.

And now the same document is what keeps his company running even while our marriage is falling apart, or it will be the thing bringing his company down...

A strange calm settled over me. "Get the lawyers to examine every clause," I told Levi. "I want to know exactly what happens when the divorce becomes final." I smirked.

He nodded and left. "What the fuck?" I hissed, clutching my tummy tighter as the cramp came in full force this time.

I didn't wait. I grabbed my bag, hurrying downstairs and into the back seat of the car. The driver glanced at me through the rearview mirror. "Where to, ma'am?"

I opened my mouth, but another wave of nausea rushed through me. I pulled out a paper and handed it to him. The driver turned around, his brows drawing together. "Are you sure, ma'am?"

I looked out the window, my fingers tightening around the strap of my bag. "Just drive," I groaned, but the driver still hesitated...