Chapter 6
“Kael Veridan, I need a word with you immediately,” the governor’s voice boomed through the speakerphone, leaving no room for argument.
Kael frowned, gripping the edges of his desk. “What could possibly be so urgent?”
“It’s about your upcoming marriage to Liora. Come to my office at once.”
Kael didn’t waste time. He strode into the governor’s residence minutes later, his irritation barely concealed. As soon as he stepped into the grand living room, the governor’s stern expression greeted him.
“Governor, what’s going on?” Kael asked, his voice laced with frustration as he bowed.
The governor sat down slowly, his gaze piercing. “Your marriage to my daughter is being delayed.”
Kael blinked, stunned. “Delayed? For how long?”
“A year, maybe more.”
Kael’s jaw clenched. “Why? I’ve already waited long enough to be with Liora. I can’t delay this again.”
The governor leaned forward, his tone sharp. “You will delay it because Celestina—no, Zorina—came to me seeking a divorce. And I have granted it.”
Kael’s stomach churned at the mention of Zorina. “She came here?”
“Yes,” the governor said firmly. “She requested that I give her permission to finalize the divorce before you marry my daughter. And I agreed.”
Kael’s hands curled into fists. “This is ridiculous! I love Liora. Zorina means nothing to me. I can’t believe we’re putting everything on hold for a woman I didn’t even want to marry in the first place.”
The governor’s eyes darkened. “Then why did you marry her?”
Kael opened his mouth, but no words came out. He looked away, avoiding the governor’s hard stare.
“Exactly,” the governor said coldly. “You married her because it suited you. Perhaps it was convenient. But now, you owe her dignity, if nothing else. And if you have even a shred of decency left, you will make amends for how you’ve treated her.”
Kael shook his head, his voice rising. “Make amends? Governor, I—”
“You will sign those divorce papers, Kael,” the governor interrupted. “And you will do it now. That’s not a request—it’s an order.”
Kael felt the weight of the command. He wanted to argue, to plead his case, but he knew better than to defy the governor. He drew a sharp breath. “Fine. If signing those papers means I can eventually marry Liora, then so be it.”
Marrying the governor’s daughter would give him power. It would make his family become powerful. The union was going to be a dream come true for him.
Just then, the sound of heels clicking against the marble floor echoed through the room. Kael turned to see Zorina standing tall and poised in the doorway. In her hand were the divorce papers.
She walked toward him, her expression unreadable, and dropped the documents onto the coffee table in front of him. “Here. I assume you already know what to do.”
Kael’s gaze flickered between the papers and Zorina. “So, this is how you want it to end?”
Zorina crossed her arms, her voice calm but firm. “This is how it should have ended a long time ago. Sign the papers, Kael. Let’s stop pretending there’s anything left to save.”
Kael picked up the pen reluctantly, hesitating for a moment. “You know what this means, right? Delaying my marriage to Liora because of you.”
Zorina raised an eyebrow, her voice cold. “You’re delaying it because of your own actions, not mine. Don’t try to make me the villain in your story.”
The governor, watching the exchange, cleared his throat. “Kael, this is not a debate. Sign the papers.”
With a deep scowl, Kael leaned over the table and began scribbling his signature on each page. Every stroke of the pen felt like a blow to his pride, but he swallowed it down, reminding himself of the bigger picture—his future with Liora.
“Done,” Kael said, tossing the pen aside. He leaned back in his chair, glaring at Zorina. “Happy now?”
Zorina picked up the papers and checked the signatures. For the first time in what felt like years, she let out a deep sigh of relief. “Yes, Kael. I am happy. For the first time in a long time, I feel free.”
Kael’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “Good for you.”
She ignored his snide remark and turned to the governor. “Thank you, Governor. I appreciate your understanding in this matter.”
The governor nodded. “I hope this decision brings you the peace you deserve.”
Before Zorina could respond, Kael spoke up again. “Now what? Are we heading straight to the courthouse, or do you have more dramatic entrances planned?”
Zorina didn’t miss a beat. “Yes, we’re going to the courthouse. The sooner this is finalized, the sooner we can all move on with our lives.”
Kael glared at her, but she turned on her heel and walked out of the room, her head held high.
As the door closed behind her, the governor leaned back in his chair, watching Kael’s face twisted with frustration. “You might not realize it now, Kael, but you’ve just lost something far more valuable than you ever understood.”
