I stared at the phone long after the call ended, Bob’s voice still
ringing in my ears.
“You owe yourselves that much.“No, I didn’t. Not anymore.
But what I did owe myself was freedom. A clean te. And that
meant ending things once and for all.
The next morning, I called Bob back. My voice was calm, firm. “I’lle,” I said. “Not for reconciliation–just to finalize the divorce. After that, I want nothing more to do with Ethan or the
Hawthrone Pack.”
There was a brief pause on the other end before Bob sighed.
“Understood.”
That was that.
When I told Mike over breakfast, he nearly dropped the pan he was flipping pancakes in. “You’re going where?”
“To the Hawthrone/Pack. Onest time.”
He turned to me, spat in hand, eyes narrowed. “Olivia, are you sure? What if this is another one of Ethan’s stunts<b>? </b>What <b>if </b>they guilt you again or pull something shady <b>with </b><b>the </b><b>divorce </b>
terms<b>?</b><b>” </b>
“That’s why I’m not going alone,” I said, calmly biting into <b>toast</b><b>. </b>“I’ve already arranged for a pair of bodyguards. Ava helped <b>me </b>with itst night. They’ll stay close the whole time.”
Mike didn’t look convinced. “And your leg?”
I gave him a look. “I’ll go in a wheelchair. Pretend the injury hasn’t healed. If they think I’m still weak, they’ll drop their guard.”
He dropped into the chair across from me, rubbing his forehead. “You’re really pulling out the spy tactics, huh?”
“Just precautions,” I said with a small shrug. “I’m done being
surprised by these people.””
Truth was, I didn’t trust a single soul in that house–except
maybe Bob. And even that was conditional.
Ethan had crossed the line too many times. I had no doubt he’d try to win me over again–beg, cry, maybe even fake copse-
but I wasn’t the same woman anymore.
This time, I’de prepared.
The Hawthrone Pack house hadn’t changed–still cold, <b>still </b>
grand, still trying to convince everyone that what went on behind those perfect walls was just as polished.
I stepped inside with two bodyguards nking me, the weight of the wheelchair adding false frailty to my posture. It wasn’t real. My leg had healed. But the performance was necessary. In this house, you were either ying the game or being yed. I’d learned that the hard way.
Bob Hawthrone was seated alone at the far end of the dining table, arms folded over his tailored suit, gaze locked on me like I’d arrivedte to a contract signing.
“Olivia,” he said, his voice neutral, but his eyes flicked to the tall bodyguard behind me. “Do you really think you’re in danger
here?”
I gave him a polite smile. “No offense, Alpha Bob. But your son
has a history of doing things when he’s angry. I’d rather not take
any chances.”
His jaw ticked, just slightly. “You think Ethan would harm
you?”
“I think he’s already harmed me in every way that counts.”
Bob exhaled and gestured toward the seat across from him. I nodded at the guard to roll me closer.
“Let’s talk directly then,” I said, before he could begin. “I want
Ethan <b>to </b>file for divorce, I want the partnership <b>dissolved</b><b>. </b>
cleanly<b>. </b>No drama, no press. Just signatures and silence”
“You came all this way just to demand that?” His tone was <b>even</b>,
but I could see the restraint behind it.
“I came here because you asked. Now I’m saying what I came <b>to </b>
say.”
He paused and studied me for a moment. Then he leaned
forward.” Olivia, a man makes mistakes – it’s natural. We all
must forgive sometimes, selflessly. And also, you’re aware that
Ethan still loves you.”
I snorted. “That’s not love, Bob. That’s obsession. Control. Guilt.
Regret. Call it anything but love.“”
“He made a mistake. One that he regrets deeply.”
I blinked at him slowly. “So I’m supposed to spend the rest of my life with a man who would keepmitting mistakes? That’s
your pitch?”
“No.” He shook his head. “I’m offering you more than that. Stay with Ethan. Be the Luna you were meant to be. We’ll make it official. You’ll have full status, power, protection. And three
hundred million in assets to your name.”
The number didn’t shake me. The man sitting across from me did–because he truly thought that was a fair trade.
<b>Chapter </b>59
<b>I </b>smiled calmly. “That’s generous. But <b>no </b>
He arched <i>a </i>brow. “You’re sure?”
“I’d be selling my soul for a title and <i>a </i>bank ount. Ethan <b>had </b>
his chance. He didn’t just cheat–he humiliated me. Publicly. Repeatedly. And now I’m supposed to overlook that because you threw money on the table?”
A
Bob narrowed his eyes, voice a touch cooler now. “I’m giving you an option to retain power and security. Women in your position would kill for this.”
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