Chapter 5
Fiona was momentarily speechless at my calmness.
"Alright, you've had your say. Now it's my turn," I said.
I picked up the marriage certificate and weighed it in my hand.
"First," I said flatly, "I married Caelan. I didn't sell myself to him, and certainly not to his family.
"I am still myself, and all I own is mine. The law supports me on this.
"Second, Caelan treated me kindly because he chose to. If his kindness was just to access my assets, I don't want that relationship."
"Third, and most important." I paused, meeting her eyes as I spoke slowly, deliberately.
I added, "My properties—not one of them, not a single brick, is going anywhere near your hands.
"Let me make this clear—If anyone tries, I'll see you in court."
My words were clear, calm, and emotionless.
But every word struck Fiona and Vivian like a hammer, hitting their pain.
Vivian's eyes filled with tears as she looked at Caelan, feeling wronged.
"Caelan..." she whispered.
Fiona was trembling with rage.
She'd probably never met a woman who talked back to her like this in her life.
"You've gone too far! This is unreal!" she shouted.
She jumped up and jabbed her finger at my nose. "You ungrateful, ill-mannered woman! Marrying you into this family has been nothing but a curse!"
"So you won't give up the apartment? Fine! Let's see if you still have a marriage to hold on to."
She saw the marriage threat as her last move.
She thought I'd be like the women she controlled, giving in to keep peace.
Too bad for her—she was dead wrong.
I met her angry glare with a defiant smile.
"Fine by me," I said. "Let's cancel the wedding, then."
Those words struck like lightning through the living room.
Fiona's rant suddenly stopped.
Vivian stopped whimpering abruptly.
Caelan looked at me, stunned silent.
Everyone was left speechless.
They likely never expected me to say that.
They saw me as a woman who would endure anything and sacrifice all for the title of 'wife.'
Divorce? It never even crossed their minds.
They thought I was obsessed with Caelan and couldn't live without him.
Seeing their shocked faces, all my tension finally faded.
I felt freer than ever before.
I stood and straightened my clothes.
Then I picked up the marriage certificate from the coffee table.
Right in front of the three of them, I held it up for them to see.
I called out their names, "Caelan, Fiona, Vivian, take a good look.
"I got this marriage certificate at 9:30 this morning—less than three hours ago.
"The ink is still wet.
"It isn't a shackle. And it's certainly not leverage you can use against me.
"Right now, it's just a piece of paper. One that can be voided any time I want."
I looked straight at Caelan at last.
His face turned pale, lips quivered, and eyes panicked as he looked at me.
"Rowan, please don't do anything rash," he said.
He finally found his dry, hoarse voice. "That's just my mom. Don't let her bother you,
"We can still talk about the apartment..."
"Talk what?" I cut him off with a cold laugh.
"Are we discussing handing my apartment to Vivian?
"Or how you'll grab my other four properties next?
"Caelan, after all this, do you still think this is just your mom's problem?"
My words sliced right through whatever act he was still putting on.
He dropped his head, unable to offer any excuse.
What could he possibly say?
Since his demand at the registry office, he's not been a bystander.
He was one of the masterminds behind all this.
Fiona snapped out of shock.
She saw threats failed, so she tried flattering me instead.
Her expression flipped, and she forced a fake smile.
"Rowan, why are you taking this so seriously?
"I was just joking to see if you really care about Caelan."
"Don't be so sensitive. Come sit. The lobster bisque is cooling."
She reached out, trying to pull me back to the sofa.
She changed her attitude instantly.
Her fake smile disgusted me.
"A joke?" I scoffed, my tone icy.