Chapter 7
Kaela twirled around the living room, her laughter echoing through the grand halls. “Finally, the witch is gone!” she exclaimed, throwing her arms in the air. “Kael can now marry Liora, and we can all move on.”
Her joy was short-lived when the sound of heavy boots stomping on the marble floors reached her ears. She froze, her smile fading, as a group of guards stormed in, their faces grim.
“What is the meaning of this?” she asked, her voice laced with unease.
The head guard stepped forward, his expression devoid of emotion. “We’re here to retrieve any belongings left behind by Lady Zorina.”
Kaela’s heart skipped a beat, but she quickly regained her composure. “Fine. Her room is upstairs, third door on the left. Take everything and get out,” she said, waving them off.
The guards nodded and headed upstairs. Kaela huffed, muttering under her breath, “Good riddance. She didn’t deserve half the things she owned anyway.”
Minutes later, the guards returned, carrying trunks and boxes. Kaela watched with a smirk, but her smugness turned to shock when the guards marched toward her room.
“Wait! What are you doing?” she demanded, stepping in their path.
The head guard remained stoic. “We were instructed to collect everything belonging to Lady Zorina, and that includes the items in this room.”
Kaela’s eyes widened. “This is my room! None of this belongs to her!”
The guard’s gaze was unwavering. “Lady Zorina gifted most of these items to you, including the wardrobe, furniture, and clothing. By her right, they are hers.”
Kaela’s mouth opened, then closed, as if searching for words. Her mind raced as she recalled the beautiful gowns, the jewelry, and even the antique vanity table—gifts she had always assumed were purchased by her brother.
“You’re mistaken,” she stammered. “Those were from Kael. He bought them for me!”
The guard raised an eyebrow but said nothing as the others began packing. Kaela stood frozen, her breaths coming in short gasps as her room was emptied piece by piece.
“This can’t be happening,” she whispered.
When they entered her mother’s room, Kaela’s fear turned to fury. She bolted after them. “You have no right to touch anything here!”
One of the guards replied without looking at her, “These were also gifts from Lady Zorina.”
Kaela’s fists clenched as she watched her mother’s jewelry boxes, shoes, and designer handbags being taken. She ran to the study, where her father was seated, his face buried in a book.
“Father!” she cried, bursting into the room. “You have to stop them! They’re taking everything!”
Lord Veridan didn’t look up. “Let them.”
Kaela blinked, her jaw-dropping. “What do you mean, let them? They’re taking my things, Mother’s things! Zorina doesn’t need them anymore—she’s gone!”
Her father finally raised his gaze, his eyes tired and distant. “Kaela, sit down.”
“I don’t want to sit! I want you to do something!”
At that moment, her mother entered, her face pale. “Husband, what is going on? Why are you letting them take everything we own?”
Lord Veridan exhaled deeply and closed his book. “Because it’s not ours to begin with.”
Both women stared at him in confusion. Kaela laughed nervously. “What are you talking about? Of course, it’s ours. This is our house. Our things.”
“No,” he said firmly, standing up. “This house, the money we use, the food we eat—it’s all Zorina’s.”
