Chapter 613
“Juniper must be struggling on her own,” Amelie murmured, her voice laced with a gentle reproach. She focused on the task at hand, carefully dabbing moisturizer onto Noah’s soft cheeks. “You should have given her a few more days, Gabriel. Finding a decent place to live isn’t something that can be done in a single afternoon p>
Gabriel stood by the window with a rigid posture. “I have to return the sword to its original place,” he stated.
Amelie paused, looking up at him with a frown. “You intend to return to Aurevalis just to exhume the late King’s grave again? That is nothing but an unnecessary ordeal, Gabriel. Keep the sword safe here. I truly believe the late King would have wanted his legacy to remain in the hands of those who can protect it p>
Gabriel remained silent, his gaze fixed on the horizon as he weighed her words. After a long moment of contemplation, he gave a curt, reluctant nod of agreement. On the bed between them, Noah grunted with effort, flipping onto his stomach and using his elbows to commando-crawl toward the edge of the mattress, away from the sticky scent of the lotion.
“Juniper made terrible mistakes, I know,” Amelie continued, her tone softening as she watched the toddler. “But look at how she was raised. She was essentially an orphan in her own home; no one loved her there except for her mother, and when she was gone, Juniper became alone. She became a product of her environment, a person shaped by neglect and coldness p>
She sighed, reaching out to steady Noah before he crawled too far. “In hindsight, Brother Casaio and Zilia were always going to have to answer to the people eventually. The truth Zilia carried was a ticking bomb; in a way, the revelation was inevitable. Please, Gabriel… Let’s find it in ourselves to forgive what she said about Noah. I am certain that in the silence of that empty house, she is drowning in regret p>
Amelie watched as Noah gave an indignant little huff, wriggling with all his might to escape her hold. Smiling, she climbed down from the bed and gently placed him on the thick, warm carpet. Freed from the constraints of the mattress, Noah took off with renewed energy, his tiny hands and knees padding softly against the plush fabric as he began his exploration.
Gabriel moved away from the window, his shadow falling over her as he came to sit at her side. He watched his son for a long moment, the hardness in his eyes finally beginning to melt into something more vulnerable.
“Fine. If you say so… I will try to make my heart big enough to forgive her this time p>
Amelie looked up at him, a spark of relief shining in her eyes. “Thank you, Gabriel. It’s not just for her sake; it’s for yours. Carrying that much anger is a heavy burden p>
“Noah, come to us!” Gabriel called out, his voice softening into a playful lilt.
The little boy paused, his head tilting as he processed the command. With a wide, toothless grin, he began the clumsy process of reversing, his tiny knees shuffling backward across the carpet before he pivoted toward them. He moved with a determined focus, occasionally losing his balance and tumbling onto his side, only to push himself back up with a burst of giggles and renewed spirit.
“Oh, my boy!” Gabriel laughed, leaning down to scoop the toddler into his arms. He hoisted Noah high into the air, the boy’s joyful shrieks filling the room. “You’re going to be a big man soon, aren’t you? That felt wonderful, right? Go on, try once more p>
He lowered Noah back onto the warm carpet, watching with pride as the child immediately began his next mission.
Karmen brought the car to a smooth halt after passing the final security checkpoint within the palace inner courtyard. Juniper was out of the door.
Lester was already waiting for them near the entrance, having been briefed by Karmen on their arrival. He offered a somber, professional bow. “Please, follow me this way,” the old man said, his voice echoing slightly in the vast, marble-clad hall.
He led them toward the Western Wing, the most private and fortified section of the palace where Dominick had established his quarters.
When they reached the towering double doors of the royal chamber, Juniper’s feet felt like lead. She stopped, her breath hitching in her throat.
“Please, go in,” Lester told her gently, pulling one of the heavy doors open just enough for her to pass.
Juniper looked back at Karmen one last time, seeking some shred of courage in the Beta’s steady gaze. He gave her a firm nod. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she stepped into the room.
The chamber was bathed in the soft, golden glow of the morning sun. Dominick was near the window, drinking the morning coffee to start his day.
“I heard you wanted to talk about alimony,” Dominick said. “I thought you wouldn’t want a single penny from me, considering you don’t deserve it p>
His cold, obsidian eyes met hers, devoid of the warmth that used to settle there whenever she entered a room. “But it is my legal responsibility to give you what you desire after the divorce. So, what is your price? Write it down on that paper and it will be delivered to you p>
Juniper’s fingers curled into tight fists at her sides. The sting of his words was sharper than any blade. She knew she had paved the road to this bitterness, but seeing the shell of the man who once looked at her with such devotion was agonizing.
“I don’t want… Anything Juniper said, her voice trembling and broken by brief pauses.
“Then why the fuck did you come here?” Dominick erupted in fury. “I don’t understand your intentions. I never have. I don’t want you lingering in the shadows of my life, bothering me. I’ll give you what I deem appropriate, assets, a monthly stipend, and a house. You have nothing, Juniper. Don’t play the martyr now p>
“No! If I take those things, you’ll just use them as weapons,” Juniper cried out, the tears finally spilling over. “You’ll remind me every day how I took your money, how incapable I am of surviving without your charity. You’ll be just like my adopted family, Nick p>
She took a shaky step forward. “I lied to Karmen about the alimony because I just wanted to see you… To see if you were actually well. But I see it now. You’re even more terrible than the people who raised me. At least they were honest about their hate. You… You lied when you said you’d never leave me p>