Chapter 139
Richard's POV
The leather seat of my Mercedes felt cold against my back, engine off, hands gripping the steering wheel until my knuckles turned white. Two fucking hours. Two hours since I'd left the hospital, and I still couldn't make myself go inside.
Mom's words kept replaying in my head. Divorce Laura immediately. Win Grace back. Whatever it takes.
I'd nodded. Said all the right things. Promised to handle it.
Bullshit.
The dashboard clock read 5:17 AM. I pulled out my phone, scrolling through the contacts until Grace's name appeared. My thumb hovered over the call button.
Blocked. Still blocked on everything.
I opened our old photo album instead—the one I'd downloaded before she could delete it. There we were, sitting on the library steps at university. Grace's head on my shoulder, my arm around her waist. She was laughing at something I'd said, eyes crinkled at the corners, completely unguarded.
When was the last time I took her on a date? I couldn't remember. After the wedding—the fake fucking wedding. Laura had always been there, waiting, and I'd convinced myself it was temporary. Just until the company went public. Just until Dad retired. Just until...
Just until I destroyed everything.
---
The first rays of dawn were creeping over the horizon when I finally dragged myself inside. The house was silent except for the soft clatter of pots from the kitchen—staff preparing breakfast.
"Richard."
I nearly jumped out of my skin. Grandmother Aria sat in the darkened living room, still wearing yesterday's clothes, fingers steepled beneath her chin like some kind of judge presiding over court.
"Jesus, Grandmother. You scared the hell out of me."
"Language." Her voice was ice. "Where have you been?"
"Driving. Thinking."
"About that woman, I presume." She stood, moving toward me with deliberate steps. "Your mother told me what she suggested."
Of course she did.
"I need coffee for this conversation."
"You need clarity." Grandmother blocked my path to the kitchen. "Come. We'll talk in the study."
---
The study smelled like old leather and Dad's cigars—a scent that used to mean power and security. Now it just reminded me of everything that was falling apart.
Grandmother walked to Dad's desk, unlocking the bottom drawer with a key from her pocket. She pulled out a stack of documents, laying them carefully on the mahogany surface.
"Do you know what these are?"
I stepped closer. Legal documents. Trust fund certificates. My grandfather's signature at the bottom.
"Your grandfather's estate," she said. "Worth approximately nine hundred million dollars. It was left to me for lifetime use, with the remainder to pass to his direct descendants upon my death."
Nine hundred million dollars. The number echoed in my skull. That money could let us start over. Could rebuild everything Grace had torn down.
"You take these funds, whether to revive the family business or use them as collateral for financing... we'll have a fighting chance."
"But Grandfather's will... I've already violated—"
"Grace destroyed everything the Harrison family built. I have no choice but to go against your grandfather's wishes." Grandmother cut me off.
She continued. "Grace has no powerful backing. She can't sustain herself in the business world alone. We have a chance for revenge."
She paused. "Even though you married her, as long as you divorce her, this fund will still be yours."
---
Laura's POV
I hadn't slept. How could I, when Richard had been gone all night? When my phone showed message after message left unread?
He promised. He said we'd face difficulties together.
But when the Harrison fortune was at stake, promises became worthless.
I heard voices in the hallway—Richard's low murmur, then that old witch's sharp tone. My hand trembled as I pressed my ear against the heavy oak door of the study.
"...nine hundred million dollars..."
"...violate the will..."
"...divorce..."
My blood turned to ice. They were talking about me. Planning to throw me away like garbage.
I shoved the door open, not caring about propriety anymore. "Old lady, you've gone too far!"
Aria's face remained carved in stone. Richard looked like I'd slapped him.
"I've put up with your family's bullying for years!" My voice cracked. "After you tore Richard and me apart, we could only marry in secret, hide my own daughter—and now you're all ganging up on us?"
"Laura—" Richard reached for my arm.
"Don't touch me!" I jerked away, tears streaming down my face. "Nine hundred million dollars? And all you have to do is get rid of the inconvenient bitch and her bastard child?"
His fingers closed around my wrist, dragging me from the study. I stumbled after him, still screaming curses, until he shoved me into the bedroom and slammed the door.
---
"How dare you disrespect my grandmother like that?" Richard's face was purple with rage.
"How dare I?" The laugh that escaped my throat sounded unhinged. "You stood there and let her threaten to take everything from us!"
"Harrison Group needs that money! Without it, we're finished!"
"So it's about the money." My voice went flat. "Not us. Not your daughter. Just the company. Or do you want to get back together with Grace?"
"...I'm sorry." Richard ran his hands through his hair.
So from the day he went to beg Grace to come back, we were already broken beyond repair.
"I'll compensate you. Whatever you want."
"Compensation?"
I sank onto the bed, mascara streaking my cheeks. The memories pulled me back to seventeen. Desperate. Alone.