AMELIE
"That's refreshing," Logan noted with a small smile on his face. "Most people would take advantage of my gratitude," he then added.
I shrugged, feeling strangely arrogant for some reason. "Well, that just proves I'm not most people, Mr. Grant."
"No," he agreed, the small smile now turning into a genuine expression of approval. "You're certainly not." He tilted his head, seemingly mulling something over before reaching a conclusion. "In that case, at least allow me to give you a lift to your pack house. It's quite a long ride from here, you know."
Before I could politely decline, my phone buzzed again with another angry text from Sam. I let out a long sigh, knowing I couldn't put off the inevitable confrontation any longer.
"I suppose I have no other choice," I finally relented. "Thank you."
Just a few minutes later, I found myself in the passenger seat of Logan's sleek black luxury car, his chauffeur navigating the streets toward the Alpha's family estate. We rode in silence for several minutes before Logan broke the silence.
"So, you are married to Samuel Crane, the future Alpha of Riverstone?" he asked casually, though his tone suggested he already knew the answer.
"Yep." I confirmed briefly. "Three long years."
"But now he wants you gone." That sounded like a humiliating blow rather than a simple observation.
I stared out the window at the passing scenery, my mouth going dry as I kept repeating Logan's words. "It was a marriage of convenience of sorts. Though now, I'm not even sure who it was convenient for."
"Yet you seem strangely calm about it all. I assume it was not as convenient for you either."
I turned to look at him, and he met my eyes without hesitation. "Do I have a choice? Should I cry over a man who has been cheating on me? Go down on my knees and beg his family to take me back, even though they hate my guts?"
"I see now... Why you refused my money."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Pride. You are a very prideful person, Mrs. Gilmore."
"No," I said after a moment's consideration. "That was different. I reversed your injury because I believed my power could help you feel better. Your recovery was the only payment I needed."
Logan fell silent, contemplating my answer as he turned away. When we approached the Crane estate, anxiety began coiling in my stomach like a hungry snake.
I was about to face my final humiliation from this family.
The car pulled up to the imposing gates, and I took a deep breath to calm my feverish nerves.
"Thank you for the ride," I said, reaching for the door handle, my fingers still trembling.
"Wait," Logan said suddenly, freezing me on the spot. To my surprise, he unbuckled his seatbelt and opened the door. "I'll come with you."
My eyes widened in disbelief. "Wh––What?! No, you don't need to, Mr. Grant. It's fine."
"I know it is," he said with a flash of a smile on his lips. "I want to see what kind of family would throw away someone with your talents."
"I apologize, Mr. Grant, but this is a bit out of line. It's already hard enough for me to––"
"All the more reason for you to have someone on your side, don't you agree?" He was already out of the car when he said that. "Besides, the Crane family has been trying to secure business connections with my pack for years. I'm sure they'll be... interested to see me."
I couldn't argue with his logic, though I dreaded the scene that was about to unfold.
As we walked up the driveway, I felt a strange mix of emotions bubbling inside me – I definitely felt better having someone as powerful as Logan Grant by my side, yet at the same time, just a mere thought of having him witness my humiliation was impossible to bear.
The front door swung open before we could knock. Amanda Crane, Sam's mother, stood there with a sour expression that quickly transformed into shock when she recognized my companion.
"Goddess! Mr. Grant!" she exclaimed, her voice pitching higher. "What an unexpected surprise! And––and a delight, of course!"
"Mrs. Crane," Logan acknowledged coolly, ignoring her attempt to shake his hand. "I hope you don't mind my accompanying Mrs. Gilmore today."
Amanda's eyes darted between us in confusion. "Uhm, no... of course. Although..." She then lowered her voice to a whisper. "Are you aware of the reason she has been summoned here?"
"Perfectly aware," Logan replied with a cold but polite smile. "Are we going to handle the matters in the doorway?"
Stung by his comment, Amanda ushered us both into the main living room, where the entire Crane family had gathered to deal me their final blow.
Sam sat on the sofa, his arm around Miranda's waist. Sam's father, Brandon Crane, stood by the fireplace with a glass of whiskey, while his brother Stephan lounged in an armchair, a smirk already forming on his face.
Their conversation ceased the moment we entered. I watched with grim satisfaction as their expressions morphed from contemptuous amusement to utter confusion at the sight of Logan Grant by my side.
"What is he doing here?" Miranda blurted out, then flushed crimson at her own rudeness.
Brandon quickly stepped forward, his hand outward for a handshake. "Mr. Grant, what an unexpected pleasure. Had we known you were coming, we would have prepared a proper welcome."
"No need for that," Logan replied smoothly. "I'm simply here as Mrs. Gilmore's... friend."
The word 'friend' hung in the air like it had been frozen in time. I could almost see the wheels turning in their heads, trying to piece together the idea of the useless daughter-in-law they'd abused for years with someone worthy of Logan Grant's friendship.
Sam recovered first, standing and pulling Miranda to her feet beside him. "Well, now that everyone's here, we can get over with it." He nodded toward a folder on the coffee table. "The divorce papers are ready, Amelie. All you need to do is sign."
I moved forward to pick up the papers, feeling strangely detached from the proceedings. As I flipped through them, I noticed several clauses that essentially stripped me of everything, including personal belongings I'd brought into the marriage.
"Is something wrong?" Sam asked with false concern when I frowned.
"These terms," I said quietly. "They're not what we discussed before we got married."
Brandon cleared his throat. "We felt these terms better reflected the... contributions made during the marriage. Or lack thereof."
"In other words," Stephan chimed in with undisguised glee, "you came with nothing, you leave with nothing. We are not doing charity here."
I looked up to find Logan watching the interaction with narrowed eyes. His powerful presence gave me the strength I hadn't expected to find otherwise.
"You know what," I said, setting the papers down, "I'd like my lawyer to review these first."
The statement was audacious – we all knew I didn't have a lawyer. Yet, as the words left my lips and sank into their minds, I felt a strange sense of calm enveloping me and steadying me further.
Sam was dying to get divorced. My game was to make him work for it.