"Tell me, Mr. Knight, where exactly did you learn that technique?" Isabelle asked, her eyes still wide with amazement as she took another deep, unhindered breath.
I stood awkwardly in her grand living room, unsure how to explain something I barely understood myself. "It's... complicated. I'm not entirely sure I could explain it properly."
"Try me," she insisted, her tone gentle but firm.
Before I could formulate a response, my phone buzzed angrily in my pocket. I glanced at the screen and felt my stomach drop. Seraphina. Again.
"Excuse me," I muttered, stepping aside to take the call.
"Where the hell are you?" Seraphina's voice was like acid in my ear. "Mother is furious. You were supposed to be here an hour ago to sign the divorce papers."
"I got caught up with something important—"
"More important than finalizing our divorce?" she scoffed. "What could possibly be more important in your pathetic little life? Don't tell me you're having second thoughts."
I glanced at Isabelle, who was pretending not to listen but clearly catching every word.
"No," I said firmly. "No second thoughts."
"Good. Because Gideon is here, and we're making plans. The sooner you sign these papers, the sooner I can move on with someone who actually matters in this city."
Her words still hurt, even after years of similar barbs. But something had shifted inside me today. The knowledge I now possessed, the power I'd demonstrated – they were mine alone.
"I'll be there within the hour," I said, ending the call before she could heap on more abuse.
When I turned back, Isabelle was studying me with a thoughtful expression.
"Your wife?" she asked, though it was clear she already knew the answer.
"Soon to be ex-wife," I confirmed. "I should go. They're waiting for me to sign divorce papers."
Isabelle nodded slowly. "I see. But before you rush off..." She crossed the room to a small ornate desk and withdrew something from a drawer. "For healing me. Please, I insist."
She held out an envelope that I suspected contained a substantial amount of money. For a moment, I was tempted. God knows I needed it – I had nowhere to go after the divorce, barely any savings.
But something stopped me. Perhaps it was pride, or perhaps it was the new confidence flowing through me along with the strange energy I now possessed.
"Thank you, but I can't accept payment," I said, gently pushing her hand away. "I'm just glad I could help."
Surprise flickered across her face, quickly followed by what might have been respect.
"Most people would take advantage of my gratitude," she noted.
I shrugged. "I'm not most people, apparently."
"No," she agreed, a small smile playing at her lips. "You're certainly not." She tilted her head, seeming to come to a decision. "At least allow me to drive you to your wife's family home. It's the least I can do."
Before I could decline, my phone buzzed again with another angry text from Seraphina. I sighed, knowing I couldn't put off the inevitable confrontation any longer.
"That would be very kind," I conceded.
Twenty minutes later, I found myself in the passenger seat of Isabelle's sleek black luxury car, her chauffeur navigating the streets toward the Johnson family estate. We rode in silence for several minutes before Isabelle spoke.
"So, you married into the Sterling family?" she asked casually, though her tone suggested she knew exactly who they were.
"Three years ago," I confirmed.
"And now they're discarding you." It wasn't a question.
I stared out the window at the passing scenery. "They never wanted me in the first place. It was a marriage of convenience – for them, at least."
"Yet you seem remarkably calm about it all."
I turned to look at her. "What choice do I have? Fight for a woman who's been cheating on me? Beg for a place in a family that's always despised me?"
"Is that why you refused my money? Pride?"
"No," I said after a moment's consideration. "I refused because healing you was the first worthwhile thing I've done in years. I won't cheapen that by taking payment."
She fell silent, contemplating my answer. As we approached the Sterling estate, anxiety began coiling in my stomach. I was about to face not just Seraphina but her entire family, who would no doubt be gleeful about my final humiliation.
The car pulled up to the imposing gates, and I took a deep breath.
"Thank you for the ride," I said, reaching for the door handle.
"Wait," Isabelle said suddenly. To my surprise, she unbuckled her seatbelt. "I think I'll come in with you."
I stared at her in disbelief. "That's... not necessary."
"I'm curious," she said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I want to see what kind of family would throw away someone with your talents."
"Ms. Ashworth, I appreciate the gesture, but this will be unpleasant enough without—"
"All the more reason for you to have someone in your corner, don't you think?" She was already stepping out of the car. "Besides, the Sterling family has been trying to secure business connections with the Ashworths for years. I'm sure they'll be... interested to see me."
I couldn't argue with her logic, though I dreaded the scene that was about to unfold. As we walked up the driveway, I felt a strange mix of emotions – embarrassment at having Isabelle witness my humiliation, yet a peculiar comfort knowing I wouldn't face it completely alone.
The front door swung open before we could knock. Victoria Sterling, Seraphina's mother, stood there with a sour expression that quickly transformed into shock when she recognized my companion.
"Ms. Ashworth!" she exclaimed, her voice pitching higher. "What an unexpected honor!"
"Mrs. Sterling," Isabelle acknowledged coolly. "I hope you don't mind my accompanying Mr. Knight today."
Victoria's eyes darted between us in confusion. "Not at all, of course, but..." She lowered her voice to a stage whisper. "Are you aware of the... circumstances of his visit today?"
"Perfectly aware," Isabelle replied with a pleasant smile that held an edge of steel. "Shall we?"
We were ushered into the main living room, where the entire Sterling family was assembled like a tribunal ready to pass judgment. Seraphina sat on the sofa, her hand intertwined with that of a tall, handsome man I recognized as Gideon Blackwood, heir to one of the city's oldest fortunes. Her father, Harold Sterling, stood by the fireplace with a glass of whiskey, while her brother Marcus lounged in an armchair, a smirk already forming on his face.
All 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 Isabelle Ashworth by my side.
"What is she doing here?" Seraphina blurted out, then flushed crimson at her own rudeness.
Harold quickly stepped forward. "Ms. Ashworth, what an unexpected pleasure. Had we known you were coming, we would have prepared a proper welcome."
"No need," Isabelle replied smoothly. "I'm simply here as Mr. Knight's... friend."
The word 'friend' hung in the air like a challenge. I could almost see the wheels turning in their heads, trying to reconcile the idea of the worthless son-in-law they'd abused for years with someone worthy of Isabelle Ashworth's friendship.
Seraphina recovered first, standing and pulling Gideon to his feet beside her. "Well, now that everyone's here, we can get on with it." She nodded toward a folder on the coffee table. "The divorce papers are ready, Liam. 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?" Seraphina asked with false concern when I frowned.
"These terms," I said quietly. "They're not what we discussed."
Harold cleared his throat. "We felt these terms better reflected the... contributions made during the marriage. Or lack thereof."
"In other words," Marcus chimed in with undisguised glee, "you came with nothing, you leave with nothing."
I looked up to find Isabelle watching the interaction with narrowed eyes. Her presence gave me strength I hadn't expected to find.
"Actually," 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. I barely had enough money for a hotel room for the night.
Seraphina's face hardened. "Don't be difficult, Liam. You know how this works. You sign, you leave, and we all move on. Isn't that what you want?"
I looked at her – really looked at her – and for the first time, I saw not the woman I had desperately tried to please for three years but a stranger whose cruelty no longer had power over me.
"What I want," I said slowly, "is a fair divorce. And these terms aren't fair."
Gideon stepped forward, his expensive cologne wafting between us. "Listen, man, I understand this is difficult, but dragging it out won't help anyone. Just sign the papers."
I might have backed down once. But that was before the strange awakening, before healing Isabelle, before feeling, for the first time in years, that I had value.
"No," I said simply.
The silence that followed was deafening.
"Who do you think you are?" Seraphina finally hissed, her composure cracking. "You have nothing – no money, no family, no connections. We gave you a roof over your head for three years while you contributed nothing."
"Perhaps," Isabelle spoke up, her voice dangerously soft, "you could enlighten me on why you married Mr. Knight in the first place, if you held him in such low regard?"
All eyes turned to her, the Sterlings clearly unprepared for her intervention. Seraphina's mouth opened and closed, fish-like, before she managed a response.
"It was a family matter," she said tightly. "A... complicated situation."
"I see," Isabelle said, though her tone suggested she didn't see at all. "Well, I find it fascinating that you're so eager to discard someone with Mr. Knight's... unique talents."
The way she emphasized 'unique talents' sent a ripple of unease through the room. The Sterlings exchanged nervous glances, suddenly uncertain of what connection might exist between Isabelle and me.
"I'd be happy to recommend a good lawyer to review these papers," Isabelle continued, addressing me now. "One who specializes in ensuring fair settlements."
Before I could respond, Victoria Sterling stepped forward, her social instincts finally overriding her disdain for me.
"Ms. Ashworth, perhaps you'd like some refreshments while we sort this out? I'm sure we can come to an arrangement that satisfies everyone."
Isabelle's smile was polite but firm. "Thank you, but I believe Mr. Knight and I have other engagements. We'll be in touch regarding the papers."
With that, she turned to leave, clearly expecting me to follow. I hesitated only long enough to meet Seraphina's gaze one last time.
"I'll have someone contact you about the revised terms," I said, surprising myself with the authority in my voice.
As I turned to follow Isabelle, Seraphina's voice rang out, shrill with disbelief: "You can't just walk away! Where will you even go?"
I paused at the doorway, a strange sense of liberation washing over me. "That's no longer your concern."
Stepping outside into the sunlight, I felt lighter than I had in years, despite having no home, little money, and an uncertain future. Isabelle was already waiting by her car, an unreadable expression on her face.
"Thank you," I said sincerely. "For everything."
She tilted her head, studying me. "You realize they'll make your life difficult."
"They already have," I replied with a small smile. "I'm used to it."
"Perhaps," she said thoughtfully, "but things are about to change for you, Mr. Knight." She opened the car door and looked back at me, her eyes reflecting a decision made. "Starting right now."