Chapter 152
Chapter 152:
“Enough!” Beatrice slammed her hand on the table. The silver rattled. “You will show respect in this house, Skye! I invited you here to finalize the separation, not to insult our guests p>
“Then bring out the papers, Beatrice,” Skye said, extending a hand. “Let’s sign. Or did you drag me here just to show Liam what a compliant, desperate downgrade looks like p>
“Respect is earned, Beatrice,” Skye continued calmly. “And so far, all you’ve earned is my pity p>
Liam was staring at Skye. He wasn’t angry. He was mesmerized. He had never seen her like this. The Skye he married would have crumbled under Beatrice’s glare. She would have apologized for breathing too loud. This Skye… this Skye was fire. She was magnificent. He looked at Lydia, shrinking in her seat, and felt a wave of revulsion. She was so… bland. So weak.
“Mother,” Liam said, his voice cutting through the tension. “Why is Lydia here p>
Beatrice straightened her spine. “Lydia is a suitable companion. She understands duty. She understands family. Unlike some people p>
“I don’t want a companion,” Liam said. He pushed his plate away. “I want my wife p>
Lydia looked down at her lap, her fingers twisting the napkin. A flash of pure malice crossed her face, hidden from Beatrice but visible to Skye. Skye saw it. The mask slip. Lydia wasn’t just a pawn; she was a player. And she was hungry.
“I’m not your wife, Liam,” Skye reminded him. “I’m the guest you’re annoying p>
Dinner was a torture of small talk and pointed insults. Beatrice never produced the papers—it had been a trap all along. When it finally ended, Skye didn’t wait for coffee. She walked straight out the French doors into the garden.
The rain had stopped, leaving the air heavy with the scent of wet earth and roses. She heard footsteps behind her—heavy, hurried.
“Skye p>
She turned. Liam was jogging toward her. He stopped a few feet away, breathing hard.
“Did you see?” he asked, gesturing back at the house. “I didn’t ask for her. I don’t want her. Beatrice is trying to replace you, but she can’t p>
𝘖𝗳𝗳𝘪𝗰і𝘢𝗅 sоu𝗿𝘤e оf 𝘵𝗵𝗂𝘴 𝗇𝘰𝘷𝗲𝘭 𝘰n 𝘣е.𝘤om
“She can try,” Skye said, examining a rose bush. “Lydia seems eager. A bit desperate, perhaps. The Winthrop family fortune isn’t what it used to be, is it? I heard they liquidated their Boston holdings last year p>
Liam stepped closer. He reached out, grabbing her wrist. His grip was hot, desperate.
“I don’t care about the Winthrops,” Liam said intensely. “I care about us. Give me a chance, Skye. Just one chance to prove I’m not the man who hurt you p>
Skye looked at his hand on her wrist. She felt nothing but cold detachment. The man who once held her heart now only held her contempt.
“There are no chances left, Liam,” she said, pulling her wrist free with a sharp jerk. “You spent five years destroying them p>
“If I prove it…” Liam started.
“Don’t,” Skye cut him off. “Save your breath. Go inside and eat your store-bought cake with your discount heiress p>
She turned and walked toward her car, leaving him standing alone in the damp garden.
“Oh, and Liam?” she added, pausing by the Ferrari. “Tell Lydia to burn that dress. It’s embarrassing p>