CHAPTER 3

AXELLE

Seated across the big dining hall, I stared emptily at everyone seated with me. I used to try everything in my power to make sure that these people that I am surrounded with fall in love with me, to treat me as a human with regards, but right now I don't care.

Whether they choose to like or hate me, I do not care at this point.

Dad was the first to clear his throat, pulling the attention of the rest of the family to him. "Something was brought to my attention by Adan." He stated, his attention on me. "he told me that you haven't been home in a week."

Mrs. Georgina Diablo, Adan's mother frowned. "No matter what, a woman should be able to make out time for her husband." She chastised. "How will we expect a grandchild if you aren't even at home."

Adan had made it clear that he didn't want a child yet, claiming he wasn't ready, and at this moment, I found myself profoundly grateful for that decision.

Releasing my grip on the stem of my wine glass, I leaned back in my chair and folded my arms, fixating my gaze on my so-called mother-in-law. 

She had never shown me an ounce of respect throughout our interactions, and it seemed that belittling me was her favorite pastime. "I'm not the cause of the absence of a grandchild," I deadpanned.

Her eyes narrowed into a steely glare. "Did you just talk back to me?" she demanded, her voice dripping with condescension.

"I was merely correcting a misconception," I replied in the calmest tone I could muster, fully aware that my composed demeanor was likely to infuriate her further.

Dad, who had been silently observing the exchange, decided to interject. "I don't know or particularly care about your reasons for staying away from home," he said, his tone dismissive. "What I do care about is that you spend the night there tonight."

With a slow, deliberate movement, I turned my gaze towards my father, blinking languidly as if to emphasize my disinterest at his order. "Did you even ask for the reason behind my absence from my home?"

His lips pressed into a thin line, a clear sign of his irritation. "I do not care to know," he responded curtly.

"Well, I care enough to explain," I shot back, my voice tight with frustration. I clenched my fists so hard that my fingers dug into my palms, the sting a small comfort against my rising anger. "I found Adan in our marital bed with another woman."

His expression remained unmoved, not a flicker of surprise or concern crossing his face.

Mum's reaction was even more infuriating. "And so what? Is that supposed to be an excuse for disappearing from home for an entire week?" she demanded. "Why must you always be so dramatic about everything?"

Her condescending tone grated on my nerves, pushing me further to the edge. I shifted my glare towards her, unable to contain my bitterness. "You have no right to lecture me about home when you failed to teach your daughter how to stay away from other people's husbands," I spat.

Everything seemed to happen in a swift, disorienting blur. One moment, I was hurling words at Mum, trying to make her understand my pain, and the next, a sharp, stinging slap landed on my cheek. I instinctively cupped my face, stunned into silence by the unexpected blow.

"Speak to my wife like that again," Dad snarled, his voice cold and threatening, "and be prepared for even harsher consequences."

My eyes welled up, not only from the sting of the slap, but from the deeper ache of realizing I had never truly been loved or valued by anyone here. I could barely hold back my tears as I whispered, "Shouldn't that slap be directed at Ines for having an affair with my husband?"

I glanced around the table, taking in the disapproving stares and the collective judgment from everyone, including Adan. The looks of disappointment etched on their faces made me question the very moral fabric of this family. "Shouldn't that look be directed at your son for having countless affairs with my sister?"

"And so what if he had sex with me?" Ines spat out, finally breaking her silence. Her tone was dismissive, as though the affair was inconsequential. "Even if it wasn't me, it could have been anyone else. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?"

"Why am I…" I scoffed. "You're disgusting. You and your blatant disregard for any sense of decency."

"Don't speak to my sister like that," Leo interjected, his voice sharp and protective.

"And what am I?" I retorted, my frustration mounting. "Am I not supposed to be a part of this family too?"

"You know very well what you are," he responded flatly, as he coolly refilled his glass. "No one in this family ever gave you false hope, Axelle."

Their words cut deeper than any physical blow ever could. I had been made acutely aware from the very start that I was never truly welcomed or valued here. Tears streamed down my face, and I cursed myself silently for showing such weakness.

Adan, ever the indifferent bastard, sighed softly. "Can we just wrap this up and go home?" His voice was filled with impatience. "I've given you enough time to play the role of the betrayed and angry wife. It's time to move on."

Wiping my tears away with a shaky hand, I stood up abruptly, pushing my chair backwards. "I am not going home with you now, or ever." I had given Adan an entire week to show any sign of remorse or regret, but he had failed utterly. "My lawyer will send you the divorce papers."

Throughout the past week, I had employed someone to keep tabs on Adan, hoping to catch him in moments of regret or remorse. Instead, all I received were more useless photos of his ongoing affair with Ines, a relentless reminder of the betrayal I was suffering.

Dad's face turned a deep shade of red as he slammed his hand forcefully on the table. The resounding thud that made everyone flinch. "Sit down," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "You're not going anywhere. You cannot and will not divorce Adan."

I reached for my purse. "I have no reason to do that," I replied, my voice steady and defiant.

Dad's eyes flared with anger, his expression contorted into a mask of rage. "I said sit the fuck down!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the room, leaving no room for argument. "You will stay here, and you will sort this out. You're not walking away from this."

I let out a humorless chuckle. "Says who? Infidelity is more than enough grounds for a divorce, especially when the betrayal is this blatant."

Mr. Diable's face twisted into a scowl, his eyes narrowing with frustration. "You don't understand what's at stake here, do you?" His voice grew sharper. "You think you can just walk away from Adan and this family as if nothing's at risk? We have millions of dollars under SAS—money that is not just floating around aimlessly. There are precautions and measures in place to ensure things like this don't just get swept aside."

I met his gaze evenly, the bitterness in my voice undeniable. "I think your son's mistress was quite clear about everything. If I go through with this divorce, you all will ensure I end up behind bars. You'll find a replacement at SAS to keep the illegal funding and money laundering going smoothly, won't you?"

"I'm glad you're aware of the consequences," Dad rasped, his voice low and menacing. "Now sit down and work things out with your husband."

Ignoring his command, I jabbed a finger toward Adan, who sat at the end of the table with a smirk that only added to my fury. "I know about the consequences and frankly, I don't give two craps about them. I'm still divorcing this animal, and there's nothing anyone can do to stop me."

Adan abruptly stood up, his face contorted with frustration. "What the hell is your problem, Axelle? All men cheat. Why is mine such a big deal?"

His nonchalant attitude was infuriating. Without a second thought, I lifted my hand and delivered a hard slap across his cheek. 

The sting of my hand meeting his face felt like a brief, satisfying reprieve from the chaos. "I'm more interested in knowing which comes first—our divorce or my arrest warrant."

I was done with this family. 

I turned on my heel, stormed out of the dining room, slamming the door behind me. 

Outside, I climbed into my car and, with shaking hands, pulled out my phone. I took a deep breath to steady my nerves and typed out a message to Miles, using the number he had given me that day at the bar. He gave me contact  information, including his home and office addresses.

**ARE YOU AT HOME OR AT THE OFFICE?**  

~ Axelle

Moments later, his reply came through:

**I AM AT HOME.**

Dropping my phone on the passenger seat, I drove straight to his place.

**********

As I arrived at Miles's house, the heavy security outside didn't question me, surprisingly allowing me to enter without delay. I was guided by the housekeeper through the elegant hallways to a study where Miles awaited.

Seated behind his polished desk, a glass of scotch in hand, Miles looked up with a gaze that was both intense and curious. M

"How may I help you, Axelle?" 

I licked my lips, trying to dispel the nerves that had settled in my stomach. I took a step forward, "I need your help, Miles." My voice shook slightly as I continued, "I need you."