The atmosphere becomes tense and a hush falls in the dining room. The Peters are not pleased to see Leilani. She was always the least favorite child. Even in better times, her sisters teased her and called her the bastard of the family. Now she is divorcing Waylen Bamford and bringing disgrace to the entire Peters family. They can barely look at her.
The Peters wouldn’t have even come if it weren’t for the possibility of a large settlement or the opportunity to see if somehow one of the other Peters women can replace Leilani as Waylen’s wife. Meanwhile, Leilani sits down her sisters begin to whisper:
“I knew three years ago that Waylen would kick her out. Waylen would only marry a lady who shares his status. A child born out of wedlock doesn’t deserve him.”
“I heard that they’ve slept in separate rooms ever since they got married. Waylen never lays a finger on her. No wonder she hasn’t produced an heir.”
“The news that Waylen is kicking her out will soon spread all over the city. No one else will ever take a woman involved in such a scandal.”
“I heard that she tried to jump into the sea to catch Waylen’s attention, but failed. Then she became a laughing stock. It only alienated Waylen even more.”
“Did you know Waylen gave her a knife to cut her wrists after she was pulled from the ocean? But you know what? She chickened out and threw the knife into the sea. How embarrassing is she? Like it’s not humiliating enough for us to be related to her already.”
Jumping in the sea to commit suicide? Why did that sound wrong? Leilani hazily remembered somehow falling from the deck while she was enjoying the night view at a cruise party last month. This rumor couldn’t be a coincidence. And why couldn’t she remember how she felt?
“Leilani, is it true that you’re divorcing Waylen?” Gabrielle, Leilani’s youngest unmarried sister asks her.
Leilani carefully selects a glass from the table and takes a sip. She gives her sister a coy smile. The slight upturn of her rosy lips is enticing and beautiful. Her other sisters turn to look at her.
“There’s something different about her,” they think.
She used to wear the plainest clothes and makeup. Her wardrobe was full of white and gray. She never dared to raise her head and talk to other people in public. People mocked her as Waylen’s poodle, well-kept and always begging for his attention. She was more humble than a servant. But now she’s in a ruby red with the gown, wearing a strong and prideful expression. If they didn’t know better, her sisters would believe she was an entirely different person.
Spitefully, they start murmuring amongst themselves, “Her dress is so distasteful. No wonder she’s going to be reduced to a homeless outcast.”
“She surely wants to cover the humiliation of being ejected with that flashy outfit.”
Leilani slowly swirls her wine and pretends not to hear her sisters’ taunts and questions.
“Gabby, you know how Waylen asked me about you,” she says, “He likes a young and quiet woman. Just the other day he said…”
Thin-skinned Gabrielle can’t help blushing from ear to ear at Leilani’s words
“What else did he say?” she asks with expectation in her voice.
Anyone with a clue can tell Leilani is teasing Gabrielle—she’s older and noisier than Leilani. But the second youngest Miss Peters is more concerned about Waylen. She’d rather risk becoming the butt of her sister’s joke than lose a chance with Waylen Bamford.
“What Waylen has to say is not to be discussed by anyone.”
A voice comes from behind them and they turned to the door. An old but distinguished woman leads a small group into the room. This woman is Mrs. Bamford, Waylen’s mother, the matriarch of the family.
The Peters stand up and lower their heads in shame and awe. They are terrified of creating the wrong impression and bringing even more disgrace and embarrassment to their families. No one dares to sit without her permission. They stand like soldiers awaiting inspection by their general.
Leilani just leans against the brocade chair. She doesn’t even straighten her posture. Mrs. Bamford ignores this behavior; she’s certainly not going to make a scene in front of the press. Besides, she knows Leilani will soon be gone.
“You’ve asked the media here in an attempt to get more money in the divorce, I get it,” Mrs. Bamford.
She gives a dismissive wave and advances further into the room. Despite her age, her posture is regal; her back is as straight as a pole, and she holds her head at a perfect forty-five-degree angle, emphasizing her swan-like neck.
“Mrs. Bamford, Mr. Bamford says he has some announcement to make,” Robert says nervously, “He asks us to allow the press to stay.”
Mrs. Bamford slowly raises her eyebrows, “Very well, get her to sign the agreement.” Her face turns sly as she makes a dig at Leilani, “She thought she could stay in the coop without laying an egg, but she’s learned her lesson.”
Efficiently, Robert removes papers from a folder and places them in front of Leilani. He offers her a golden pen, “Miss Peters, the papers state that you’ll get five billion dollars as compensation for the divorce.”
Leilani can’t believe the way Robert is speaking to her, using a word like “compensation” and changing “Mrs. Bamford” into “Miss Peters.” Leilani rolls her eyes at Mrs. Bamford. A butler wouldn’t dare to be so disrespectful without superior authority. Does he have to use a word as insulting as compensation? Are they going to treat her like a p.r.o.s.t.i.t.u.t.e?
“No,” she thinks with humor, “They’re offering me five billion dollars. I suppose that makes me a rather high-end call girl.”
The Peters’ eyes widen when they hear Robert announce the settlement. The Bamford family seems to pay five billion dollars as casually as they tip.
“Miss Peters, if there aren’t any problems, please sign on the blank line down here,” Robert urges.
Leilani quickly skims the agreement and chuckles, “I do have a problem.”
Her words draw everyone’s attention, including the imposing and aggressive king figure who is walking down the grand staircase. Waylen walks with one hand in his pocket and several maids trailing behind him. He halts his determined stride for a moment after hearing Leilani mention a problem.
“I seem to remember that, according to our prenup agreement, if I propose the divorce, I won’t get a settlement. So I decline,” she announces.
Everyone gasps. This woman is out of her mind. First, she implies that she’s the one who proposed the divorce, and then she refuses five billion dollars. Does she know what she’s doing?
“Mrs. Bamford, Leilani has been drinking,” Anthony, the patriarch of the Peters family explains, “She’s not thinking straight.”
His words carry a hidden warning to Leilani to stop talking nonsense. Leilani ignores him. She doesn’t want to waste any more time finalizing the divorce.
She throws the papers at the butler, “I refuse a settlement. I’ll sign the papers as long as you take that out. I don’t want anything to do with this family anymore, and I especially don’t want your money.”
The butler, hesitant, awaits Mrs. Bamford’s instructions.
“I hope you don’t regret your decision,” Mrs. Bamford says, gesturing for Robert to do as Leilani asks.
“The only thing I regret is my marriage with Waylen.”
Everyone gasps. What has happened to Leilani? Where has this newfound courage come from? When did she become so bold? Anthony exchanges a look with Gabrielle and she pulls on Leilani’s arm, but Leilani completely ignores her sister. She stares boldly and directly at Mrs. Bamford like a general who has just won a great victory.
“Miss Peters, the agreement has been modified as you requested,” Robert says reappearing at the table, “Please have a look.”
“There is no need.”
Leilani takes the pen in her fair and elegant hand and begins to sign the agreement. As soon as she begins to sign her name, there is a commotion at the door. Suddenly, the journalists rush in without any interference from the bodyguards. Dozens of them stand against the walls set up their camera equipment, but they don’t even fill the dining room. It is rumored that the Bamfords’ dining room is as big as half a football field. It turns out the rumor is true.
“How dare you!” Mrs. Bamford screams, “Who let these people in? Get them out of here.”
Outsiders aren’t allowed to intrude in the Bamfords’ private residence. The journalists couldn’t even pay to fix the floor if their equipment damaged it.
“It was me,” A commanding voice cuts through the noise in the room, and Waylen appears like a glorious god.
He slowly finishes descending the grand staircase and enters the room. As he walks, he casts an arrogant look at Leilani.
Poised mid-signature, it’s clear that Leilani would rather become a penniless outcast than spend another minute married to Waylen. The gentle and vulnerable lamb has changed.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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