Chapter 7

"Ah!" Kaelis' legs gave out, and she collapsed onto the floor with her back pressed against the icy wall. In that moment, it felt as though every drop of blood in her body had frozen. She had feared snakes all her life. Garrick knew her weakness. He used to have people clear every place she might visit of snakes, forbidding photographs of them to even appear before her. Yet, the same man who had once treated her like a treasure had locked her inside a snake-filled chamber. "Let me out!" She pounded frantically against the iron door, her palms quickly turning red. "Garrick! Please, I beg you. Let me out!" There was only dead silence outside. A dark green snake suddenly slithered over her foot. The cold and slick touch caused a scream to tear from her throat. She kicked it away desperately, but her movement only attracted more of them. A sense of fear surged over her like a tidal wave. Her breath quickened. She grabbed whatever she could reach and hurled it at the writhing mass, but it was in vain. She didn't know how much time had passed before she managed to crash open the door with all her strength. She was covered in blood when she dragged herself out, and Garrick was standing right there. A glimmer of pity flickered in his eyes for a fleeting moment before he resumed his cold demeanor. "Remember this lesson. Don't you ever bully Lyra again." He extended his hand and made to help her up. "I've told you before. If you can't stand Lyra, then find someone else. Stop placing all your attention on me." Kaelis brushed past his hand, bracing against the wall to slowly stand upright. Her voice was faint, but every word cut like a blade. "You don't need to worry about that. I already have someone." "What?" He frowned, as if he hadn't heard it. "Say that again." A bodyguard rushed over at that moment. "Mr. Ironvale, Ms. Fenvale is awake. She's asking for you." Garrick immediately turned around and strode away. She looked at his retreating figure and softly repeated, "I said, I already have someone." The sea breeze swept away her voice. "Garrick, I don't want you anymore, and I don't love you either!" However, he was already too far away to hear it. … Kaelis remained at home for the following days, recovering and waiting for the day of the court hearing to arrive. Meanwhile, Garrick and Lyra's scandals filled every headline. "Ironvale Group's CEO flaunts his love with his new sweetheart, Lyra. He booked the entire island for their romantic trip…" Kaelis calmly turned off the TV, as if it were nothing more than news about strangers. The doorbell rang at that moment. Lyra was standing there when she opened the door. "Ms. Windryn." She smiled sweetly, but her eyes gleamed smugly. "You've seen the news, haven't you? Garrick really spoils me." Kaelis looked at her faintly without saying a word. "Be smart and step aside sooner rather than later." Lyra raised her chin. Her tone carried a hint of condescension. "I'll be the matriarch of the house from now on." "Sure." Kaelis suddenly laughed. "I'll give it to you." She turned around and entered the study room, retrieving a delicate photo album from a drawer. It was a collection of ten years' memories of her and Garrick's life together. She ran her fingers gently over the photo of his gentle smile before tossing the album into the fireplace without hesitation. The flames roared to life, illuminating her pale face as every treasured memory turned to ashes. After that, she called for the gardener. "Remove all the roses in the yard." Garrick had planted them personally, as she had once mentioned she liked roses. Finally, she summoned a renovation crew and instructed them to dismantle every decoration she had painstakingly chosen for the home. The curtains she had carefully picked, the photo wall she had arranged herself, and the antique ornaments she loved most. "Are you happy now?" Kaelis glanced at Lyra, who looked dumbfounded. "From now on, this house is yours. You may decorate it however you like." Lyra was slightly surprised. "Are you serious?" "Of course." Lyra quickly regained her senses and began barking orders at the renovation team. "This couch is hideous! Change it! The curtains are too dull. I want pink ones! And throw those paintings out!" When Garrick returned, the first thing he saw was chaos everywhere. "What's going on here?" he asked with a darkened expression. "I'm making room for Ms. Fenvale." Kaelis' voice was calm and unshakeable. "From now on, she'll be the matriarch of the house."