Chapter 4

Steve's arrival cut off whatever Mom had been about to say. He was still as courteous as ever. However, he exuded that innate sense of superiority. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Asher and Helen," he greeted. I let out a quiet sigh of relief. At least he hadn't made my parents feel embarrassed or made things awkward for them. Mom quickly replied, "Oh no. We just got here. We were chatting with Zara, so we didn't wait long at all." Dad added, "If you still have things to do, go on and attend to them. We can just talk here." I lowered my head and said, "Come on, Mom. Let's eat first." At the dining table, Steve sat in the seat of honor. My parents and I sat beside him. Dad hesitated, stealing cautious glances at Steve's expression. He began carefully, "Steve, there's something I'd like to ask of you…" His tone was so humble that it was almost painful to hear. Steve replied evenly, "I know the Yaxley Group has run into some difficulties recently. You don't need to worry about the funding. Did you bring the contract?" "Yes, yes! I did," Dad answered quickly. Steve said, "I'll sign it later and have Zara mail it back to you tomorrow. The funds will be transferred to Yaxley Group no later than Friday." With just one sentence, he made both my parents visibly relax. Relief spread across their faces as they thanked him again and again. "Zara is my wife. If the Yaxley family is in trouble, it's only right that I help," Steve responded. That single remark completely dispelled Mom's earlier doubts. She had always been straightforward and was never one to beat around the bush. Smiling brightly, she said, "Seeing you and Zara doing so well puts my mind at ease. I saw the news yesterday about the man backing Isabel. There wasn't a clear photo, but I thought the silhouette looked a bit like you. I worried so much that I didn't sleep all night!" As her words fell, both Steve and I stiffened slightly. We steered the conversation elsewhere. After my parents left, I slipped the prepared divorce agreement into the back of the contract and took it with me to the study. ... In the study, Steve was seated at his desk, handling work emails on his computer. The warm yellow light outlined his sharp, cool features with striking clarity. I used to love this version of him. He looked focused, composed, and serious as he worked. I let out a soft sigh and walked over with the contract. "This is the contract my dad asked me to hand to you. Could you sign it?" He glanced at me. When he saw that I was no longer kicking up a fuss, he smiled faintly. "So you do know when to stop," he remarked. I replied, "Thank you for agreeing to help just now." I swallowed the bitter sadness I felt inside and thanked him. Before signing, Steve added casually, "Oh, there's something else I should tell you. There's been too much media attention lately. I'm planning to bring Isabel and Dorothy to live here. Halcon Bay is the most private neighborhood in all of Hevark. It'll be safer for them." My breath caught, and I felt suffocated. How could I have forgotten that Steve was a shrewd businessman? Every favor he gave came with a price or an exchange of equal value. He hadn't helped the Yaxley family for free. I forced out a single word in response. "Okay." He continued, "I'd like Dorothy and Isabel to stay in the master bedroom. After all, we want to give Dorothy a sense of—" "That's enough. You don't need to explain. I understand. I'll move to the guest room. You can have the master bedroom." I cut him off before he could finish. Steve himself no longer belonged to me. Would I still care about a bedroom? After agreeing to his conditions, I handed him the contract. "Can you sign it now? My dad needs it urgently." Steve said nothing and began signing. The farther he went toward the back of the document, the more tense I became. At the very last page was the divorce agreement I had prepared in advance.