Chapter 204 Teaching You to Seize the Family Property
Vera felt a smug satisfaction, knowing that nothing surpassed the certainty of cold, hard cash.
"That's settled. I'll provide the funds," Vera said, waving her hand grandly. "Prenatal care, delivery costs, the postpartum center, nanny fees—every single expense is covered."
Arabella was at a loss for words. Vera, mistaking her silence for shyness, pulled her closer. "Listen, don't think you should refuse money just because Alex has it. You absolutely should take it. Whether it's from me or him, keep it as your personal stash. Make Alex reimburse your expenses. You're in love now, but if things go south later, you'll want that security. You know what I mean?"
This was the first time Arabella had seen a mother-in-law coaching her daughter-in-law in the art of being sneaky—and in such an adorable way, too.
Watching Vera map out her entire post-baby life, Arabella hesitated before finally speaking. "Actually... Alex and I are planning to get divorced."
Vera’s eyes widened as if she’d heard something horrifying. "What did you just say? Divorce? Why? Did Alex cheat?"
Arabella wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. That was quite a jump in logic.
"He didn't cheat. We just don't think we're a good match," Arabella said, picking her words with care. "I'm just not sure I can really be the partner he needs."
Vera’s eyes cleared as it clicked for her. "Oh, I see. You’re worried about all the baggage and pressure that comes with his position."
Arabella nodded. "Exactly."
She thought Vera would try to change her mind, but instead, the older woman just gave her a comforting pat on the shoulder. "That’s actually a smart move. Those worries are completely fair. When Marvin’s father offered me money to walk away, I didn't blink. I figured if I was going to leave him anyway, I might as well get a nice payout for it."
Then she leaned in close. "Did Alex give you a payout? Is there a prenup? Can you actually get any money out of this divorce?"
Arabella assumed Vera was concerned about Alexander’s wealth. "I’m not looking for his money. Whatever I’ve already taken, I’ll make sure to pay it all back."
As soon as those words left her mouth, Vera tapped her on the forehead, clearly frustrated. "Are you kidding? Why wouldn't you take it? You’re his legal wife, so you're entitled to a fair share when you split. I know getting half might be a stretch with someone in his position, but you should still walk away with a massive settlement. Otherwise, what? You're just handing him two kids for nothing?"
It never crossed Arabella's mind that Vera, Alexander's own mother, would be the one pushing her to squeeze a settlement out of him.
"I—"
Vera frowned at her. "Why pass it up? Did he pressure you into some sneaky prenup? If he did, I’m going to make sure he hands over at least a few hundred million!"
Arabella quickly cut in, "I'll handle all that with him myself."
She didn't want Vera confronting Alexander and making it look like she’d been pulling strings from the shadows.
Vera looked skeptical, but she offered some advice anyway. "Ask for more, alright? Marriage is always harder on the woman. If you don't get enough to set yourself up for life now, you'll be the one struggling later. Besides, he's rich. The FitzRoy family isn't going to miss it."
Arabella's thoughts drifted to her divorce from Anthony. She had walked away without a single cent. It really had been a foolish move, hadn't it?
Even with the prenup they had, Anthony had still offered her a settlement both before and after they split. It wasn't a fortune—just a million—but at the time, it would have changed everything for her. Still, she had turned it down.
It wasn't just about pride, though. It was mainly that she didn't want any lingering connections to the Watson family.
Seeing how Anthony was now trailing after her, pleading for a second chance, she felt a wave of relief that she hadn't taken a dime. It was a completely clean break.
---
A short distance behind, Alexander and Marvin followed at a steady pace, observing the two women as they leaned in close, whispering to one another. Both men carried a slight, knowing smile.
Marvin came to a sudden halt and looked over at him. "So, have you decided on any names for the babies yet?"
Alexander smiled. "Yeah, I've got quite a few ready. I'm going to let Arabella pick out two when the time is right."
Marvin nodded in approval. "You could always find out the genders early."
Alexander frowned. "Why?"
He didn't see the point. As long as Arabella was their mother, he would love them regardless.
Marvin cleared his throat. "Just so you can have the baby clothes ready ahead of time."
Alexander remained indifferent. "We can just buy everything after they're born. If it comes down to it, I'll just have clothes for both boys and girls ready to go."
Marvin looked let down. He turned and continued on his way.
Alexander thought about it, then asked incredulously, "You're not seriously after my daughter, are you?"
Exposed, Marvin attempted to keep his composure. "What are you talking about, 'after your daughter'? She’d be my granddaughter too."
Alexander was speechless.
"Mom mentioned that while she was pregnant with me, you were hoping for a girl. She said when I turned out to be a boy, you were so let down that you refused to even hold me for days."
Marvin rubbed his nose and remained silent, which was as good as an admission.
Alexander eyed him with suspicion. "Dad, I've never grasped this. You adore Mom—shouldn't you love whatever she brings into the world, whether it's a son or a daughter? Why is it only girls for you? Unless... your feelings for her aren't what you say? Are you just using her to get the daughters you want?"
Marvin’s face shifted. He glanced toward Vera instinctively, and seeing her still caught up in her conversation with Arabella, his posture softened. Then, he shot a sharp glare at Alexander. "What are you even saying? Of course I love your mother—more than anything! But there’s a world of difference between sons and daughters. Just look at my old friends who have girls; they stay sweet and kind even into their twenties and thirties!"
Alexander was rarely one for displays of emotion, but he couldn't stop himself from rolling his eyes.
"You're the one who only wants a daughter, yet you're taking it out on your son."
Marvin snorted. "You just weren't good enough. Out of all those sperm, why'd it have to be you that won?"
Alexander let out a cold laugh. "If it hadn't been me, Grandpa would still have you on a tight leash. You probably wouldn't have even managed to get Mom back."
The father and son traded barbs, falling back into the same rhythm they had maintained for years.
Marvin stalked ahead, his expression darkening. Alexander called after him, "If you're so obsessed with having a daughter, why don't you and Mom just have another child?"
Marvin let out a cold snort. "Do you have any idea how much pain is involved in having a child? Pregnancy is a nightmare. Giving birth is agony. Even breastfeeding is a struggle. I would never dream of putting her through that a second time."
He shot a glance at Alexander. "You're the one who should have a few more instead."
Alexander’s expression remained blank. "You feel for your wife, but you think I don't feel for mine?"
Marvin spun around, a knowing look on his face. "I'm fairly certain I just overheard your wife telling mine that she wants a divorce."
Alexander’s expression turned icy. "I appreciate the concern, but that isn't going to happen."
Marvin gave a chuckle. "It seems you're not quite the man I was in my prime."
Alexander brushed past him, his face devoid of emotion as he landed a stinging blow. "Weren't you the one who followed Mom everywhere, sobbing and pleading for her to take you back?"
Marvin stiffened, his face contorted with rage. "Who told you that? Was it your mother?"
Alexander looked back, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Just tell me—is it true or not?"
Marvin fell silent.
---
By the time Alexander and Marvin caught up, Arabella had been subjected to Vera’s entire lecture on "fighting for your fair share of the assets." She looked at Alexander, her expression one of utter helplessness.
Alexander didn't know the specifics of their conversation, but he could feel it in his bones that his flighty mother hadn't offered anything useful.
"What are we having for dinner?" he asked.
Arabella was carrying twins and had only eaten a meager lunch on the plane. She hadn't had a bite since then and was surely famished.
Thanks to his father, Alexander's mind was now racing with thoughts of pregnancy struggles, the agony of labor, and the challenges of breastfeeding. He was even beginning to feel a pang of regret for getting Arabella pregnant.
His mother had endured so much giving birth to only him. Arabella was so thin—carrying twins would be exponentially more difficult.
Marvin said, "I've invited a friend for dinner. We're having a barbecue, and I've already had the staff get everything ready."
Alexander asked, "A friend?"
Vera grinned and looped her arm through Marvin's. "I've been admiring Cartier's latest designs, so my husband invited their head designer to join us! I'm looking forward to a deep dive into next season's collection with him."
Arabella was stunned. Cartier was a premier global luxury brand. Had Marvin actually arranged for their lead designer to come here just to satisfy Vera’s whim?
This father-in-law of hers really spoiled his wife without any limits, huh?
---
That evening, the staff arranged grilling equipment on the lawn, along with sofas and picnic chairs. Everywhere Arabella looked, there was an expanse of lush green grass. In the distance stood cream-colored fences, where several cows grazed peacefully. Beyond them, the sun was setting, painting the sky in brilliant shades of red.
Arabella was captivated by the breathtaking view.
Vera said proudly, "Beautiful, isn't it? My husband and I toured countless locations before we finally found this romantic spot to settle down."
Arabella glanced over at Marvin and Alexander, who were working together at the grill. She finally realized where Alexander had inherited his culinary talent and his tender, attentive devotion to the woman he loved.
With parents this affectionate, how could he not have picked up on it?
A short time later, the Cartier designer arrived. He was a slender, middle-aged man with golden hair and blue eyes, dressed in a fashionable ensemble. Even from a distance, Arabella could catch the scent of his cologne. She instinctively took a step back, feeling a bit overwhelmed.
Marvin made the introductions. "Alex, Arabella, this is Lawn, the head designer at Cartier. Lawn, this is my son Alex and my daughter-in-law Arabella."
Lawn greeted them, then went off to discuss new designs with Vera.
Arabella had been chatting with Vera, but now that Vera was preoccupied and both Alexander and Marvin were busy at the grill, she found herself alone. She gazed at the distant scenery, her eyes gradually becoming distant and vacant.
Lawn, who'd been talking with Vera, glanced up and caught sight of her. He looked startled. "Serene, elegant, with a melancholy expression..."
He paused, his brow furrowed as he studied her more closely. "Does your daughter-in-law, Arabella, have any psychological conditions?"
Vera went stiff, then shot back defensively. "You're the one with the problem! My daughter-in-law is absolutely fine!"
Lawn watched Arabella for another moment, his concern deepening. "I'm not a professional psychologist—merely an enthusiast who has studied the field extensively. Mrs. FitzRoy, please forgive my bluntness, but your daughter-in-law's state is concerning."
He paused, his voice dropping to a serious tone. "She may be suffering from depression."
Vera glanced at Arabella, then let out a sharp sound of disbelief and glared at Lawn. "What's wrong with you? My daughter-in-law is perfectly fine! She doesn't look sick at all! If you keep spouting this cursed nonsense about her, I'll have my husband throw you out!"
Lawn immediately fell silent. "Fine, I won't say another word."
Vera huffed, yet her gaze lingered on Arabella with a hint of concern. Seeing no outward signs of depression, she relaxed, internally blaming Lawn for stirring up unnecessary worry.
She dismissed the idea that any psychologist could diagnose a person based on a single glance, without a proper evaluation. She certainly didn't believe that Lawn, a mere hobbyist, possessed any genuine expertise.
As the head designer of a luxury brand, he was undoubtedly incredibly busy and likely hadn't studied psychology in any systematic way.
Vera dismissed the entire notion and quickly put it out of her mind.
After dinner, once Lawn had left, Arabella and Alexander returned to the room Vera had prepared for them.
The estate featured a grand castle, beautifully illuminated against the tranquil grassland.
Once back in their room, Arabella finally felt herself relax. After showering, she asked curiously, "This castle must be really old, right?"
Castles were like that—they all had long histories.
But to her surprise, Alexander shook his head. "No, it was just finished two years ago."
Arabella's mouth dropped open. "What?"
Alexander found her adorable in that moment. His impulses outpaced his thoughts, and before he could even process the urge, he had already leaned in and kissed her.
A light, fleeting kiss. Before Arabella could even react, Alexander had already pulled away.
It left her frozen, unsure how to respond.
"I told you not to just kiss me whenever..."
Alexander smiled. "That wasn't 'just' a kiss. I kissed you with complete sincerity. Besides, I never actually agreed to that rule last night."
Arabella thought back and realized he had dodged the question the previous night. Now, she was truly at a loss for words.
Alexander wrapped his arms around her from behind, and they swayed together as they moved toward the couch.
With Arabella settled in his arms, he finally explained, "My mom wanted to be a princess. So my dad built her this castle. And just like that, at forty-six years old, my mom successfully became a princess."