Chapter 3
Mavis's words, "Did he ask you for anything?" smashed Caelan's carefully crafted mask.
His face went from angry red to deathly pale instantly.
Panic and disbelief filled his eyes.
He likely couldn't believe my distant aunt understood him completely.
Looking at him, all my last feelings as his wife vanished.
"Yes," I answered quietly.
I kept my voice steady as I spoke on the phone.
"He asked me to transfer an apartment to his sister for her to live in after the wedding."
Mavis laughed coldly and mockingly on the line.
Her laughter came sharply through the receiver.
She scoffed. "Figures. Typical Drake family.
"Rowan, don't worry. Once the paperwork's done, nobody can touch what's yours.
"Give him the phone. I'll talk to him."
I stayed silent and calmly handed the phone to Caelan.
He stepped back as if he'd seen danger.
"Rowan, what are you doing? This is between us. Why are you dragging family into it?" he grew desperate, reaching for my phone.
I stepped back, dodging his hand. "Now you remember they're family?
"Funny how that didn't cross your mind when you were busy plotting to get your hands on my property."
I stared at him, my gaze icy.
Mavis's voice came through the speaker, firm and commanding.
She demanded, "Caelan, did I tell you to ask Rowan for that?
"Don't bother hiding. I know you can hear me.
"Let me ask you one thing. Is your family too broke to buy Vivian a place to live? Or do you just think Rowan is easy prey?"
Caelan's lips trembled, but he said nothing.
Mavis added, "I've watched Rowan grow up since she was little. Her parents died early, so I'm like her mom now.
"If you want to marry her, go ahead.
"But if you think you're going to walk away with her property—forget it.
"If Rowan disagrees, none of you will touch anything."
Her words rang out, firm and resolute.
Every word was a slap right across Caelan's face.
He stood there, frozen, his face drained of color.
Just then, my phone buzzed.
At the same time, his phone started ringing.
It was his mother, Fiona Drake.
I silenced my phone and let the call go unanswered.
But Caelan, desperate for any lifeline, hurriedly answered his phone.
"Hello, Mom."
"Caelan. Did Rowan agree to the apartment? Vivian's been nagging me for days!" her sharp voice cut through the phone.
Though quiet, her voice sounded startlingly clear in the tense silence between Mavis and me.
The last hint of color drained from Caelan's face.
He tried to muffle the phone, but it was too late.
Mavis and I both heard it, loud and clear.
I stayed stone-faced.
Mavis let out another icy laugh over the phone.
Then she sneered. "Well, so the whole family's in on it.
"Caelan, grab Rowan and get back here now."
Fiona, clearly hearing Mavis's voice on the other end, froze for a second.
Then she exploded like a lit firecracker. "Who's that? Who's talking? Caelan! Who are you with?
"What do you mean, 'get back here'? Bring Rowan home! I want to see how high and mighty she thinks she is—acting up the minute she's married into this family."
Caelan stood in the middle, sweating and miserable.
"Mom, no, please, let me explain..." he stammered.
"Explain what! Put her on the phone!" Fiona's voice shot up even higher.
Watching him squirm like that, I felt nothing but bitter irony.
I hung up on Mavis and faced him.
"Let's go," I said.
Caelan looked stunned. "Go where?"
"Aren't we supposed to go to your family's house?" I shot back.
I gave him a cold, empty smile. "Your mom said she wanted to see just how high and mighty I think I am.
"Today, I'll show her my attitude."
I didn't look back and flagged down a cab at the curb.
Caelan stared at my back, hesitated, then gritted his teeth and followed.
We sat in the cab, not saying a single word.
The air was thick with tension.
I stared out the window, focused on one thing as the city rushed by.
Today, this fight was inevitable and I wasn't about to lose.
Then cab pulled up outside Caelan's apartment complex.
Barely had we stepped out when Caelan's phone buzzed—it was Vivian.
"Hey Caelan. Where are you? Mom and I are home waiting, and she made lobster bisque for Rowan!" her tone was so sweet it hurt.
Really? Lobster bisque? I laughed coldly.