Free Web NovelChapter 8: Chapter 8 Her Worth
_Rowena’s POV_
Kaelen called a family meeting the next morning.
I knew before I arrived that it wasn’t going to be a conversation, it was going to be a performance. The long table in the formal dining room, the family arranged on one side, the implicit pressure of being asked to sit and listen and, ideally, reconsider.
I sat down across from all of them and folded my hands on the table.
Kaelen was at the head. He hadn’t looked at me directly since he’d walked out of my room two nights ago. He looked at me now, steady and controlled, with the particular flatness that meant he was managing something he didn’t want visible.
Virella sat to his right.
She had dressed carefully for this. Simple, soft colors, hair loose, and one hand resting on her stomach in that way she had, not dramatic, just present, a constant reminder of what she represented. She looked gentle and slightly tired, and I had no doubt it was deliberate.
"I’ll be straightforward," Kaelen said. "The account changes Rowena has made are disruptive. They affect vendor relationships, staff payroll, and ongoing operational commitments. I’m asking her to reverse them while we work through this as a family." freeweɓnovel.cѳm
He said as a family the way people say things they know are thin.
"No," I said.
The room went still.
"Rowena..." Elira started softly.
"The Ashthorne assets were transferred in good faith at the time of the marriage," I said. "That transfer was contingent on the terms of the marriage being honored. Those terms were not honored." I looked at Kaelen. "The accounts stay as they are."
Kaelen’s jaw tightened. "You’re punishing the pack."
"I’m protecting my family’s assets," I said. "The pack’s financial dependency on those assets is a structural problem Moonreign should have addressed years ago. That’s not my responsibility to fix."
Elvira muttered something under her breath.
Virella shifted in her seat. When she spoke, her voice was soft and careful, the voice she must use when she wanted to sound like she wasn’t stupid.
"I don’t want to be the reason this family suffers," she said. She looked around the table, but not at me. "I know my arrival has been difficult. But I want everyone to know, once Kaelen and I are formally married, this won’t be a problem anymore." A small, modest pause. "My family has connections the pack hasn’t had access to. Investment contacts. Regional alliances. I’ve already spoken to two Alpha families who expressed interest in partnership." She looked at Kaelen, and her expression was warm and certain.
"We won’t need outside funding. We’ll build something of our own."
The table absorbed this.
Maelis looked thoughtful. Elvira sat up slightly. Even Elira’s expression shifted, not convinced, but it showed she was listening.
"She’s good," Kyra said flatly. "I hate that she’s good."
I watched Kaelen. He was looking at Virella with that expression, the one I had seen in the sitting room when she’d pressed her hand to her stomach. Open in a way he was not open with anyone else.
He believed her. How foolish.
"Or he wants to." Kyra added, also unsure.
"Whatever." I muttered.
"Virella’s connections are not the issue on the table," I said pleasantly. Everyone looked back at me. "The issue is that Moonreign Pack has been operating on Ashthorne money for three years and building nothing to replace it. Whatever Virella can bring in the future doesn’t change what is owed now."
Virella’s eyes moved to mine. The warmth in them adjusted, just slightly, just enough for me to see the thing underneath it. A sly bitch.
"I don’t think anyone is disputing what you’ve contributed," she said, still gently. "We’re all grateful, truly. But surely there’s a way to handle this that doesn’t hurt the people who’ve had nothing to do with our, situation."
"That evil bitch. She’s trying to make you look cruel," Kyra growled. "In front of the family."
"I’m aware."
"The staff will be paid through the end of the month," I said. "I’ve already arranged that. No one on payroll will be affected in the short term." I kept my eyes on Virella. "My issue is not with the staff."
"Then what is it with?" Kaelen’s voice came in low and even.
I turned to look at him.
"You know exactly what it’s with," I said. "A divorce. Cleanly done. Both of us should be free to move forward." I paused. "That’s still the only conversation I’m interested in having."
The table went quiet again.
Virella leaned slightly toward Kaelen and said, barely above a murmur — but clearly enough for the table to hear — "I told you she wouldn’t let this go. She doesn’t want a fair arrangement, Kael. She wants to hurt us." A beat. "Maybe it would be easier to just let her try."
Let her try.
Said softly, sympathetically, with the confidence of a woman who had already decided she had won.
"Don’t think about it, Rowena. It’s really not worth it."
Kyra said.
I scoffed, "I wasn’t planning to."
I stood up.
"This meeting isn’t productive," I said. "When Kaelen is ready to discuss the marriage directly, without an audience, I’m available." I looked at him one final time. "Until then, the accounts stay closed. The attorney stays engaged. And whatever Virella’s connections can offer...." I gave her a brief, composed look ".....I genuinely hope it’s enough."
I left before anyone could respond.
In the hallway, Velvet fell into step beside me without a word.
Whatever Varkos family was going to face from now on had absolutely nothing to do with me or the Ashthornes. I was never this cruel to begin with. Kaelen was to be blamed for everything. There was no need to feel guilty for my actions. Right?
"Yes, you’re doing everything right." Kyra supported with a sigh.
