I Walked Away And He Lost His Mind (Zephyra) novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23 

A scoff echoed through the phone, followed by his cool, aristocratic voice. “Zephyra, the divorce agreement you drafted clearly states you’ll leave with nothing.” 

“It’s only been a few days. First, it was compensation for emotional distress, now it’s a settlement fee. Why beat around the bush? This has always been about money, hasn’t it? Is it so hard for you to admit you’re just a gold digger?” 

Through the phone, I could practically picture his lips curling into that smug, superior smirk. 

My eyes narrowed. “A gold digger? Steven, nothing good ever comes out of that mouth of yours. I don’t have time for your nonsense. Think whatever you want, but you are going to pay me that settlement.” 

“And why should I?” he asked coldly. 

I gritted my teeth. “Because for the past year, you’ve eaten nothing but the meals I’ve cooked and worn nothing but the clothes I’ve laid out. You may be a big shot who earns a lot of money, but I wasn’t a freeloader. I took care of everything at home, including your parents. A live–in housekeeper would have cost you a fortune. I was your personal attendant. A settlement isn’t too much to ask, is it?” 

And that was just this lifetime. Including my past life, I had slaved for him for six long years. A million dollars was a bargain. 

Steven, however, was unfazed. “That was your duty as a wife. You expect praise for that?” 

My face flushed with anger. Asking for money always puts you in a weaker position. I hadn’t wanted to take anything from him, but Uncle Julian needed the money, so I had to fight for it. 

It was true; Steven’s grandfather adored me. The old man was getting on in years but was still robust, with a venerable, almost sage–like air about him. He was the kindest member of the Lancaster family to me. He was the one who had brought Steven to my family to propose the match, praising me as graceful, beautiful, and intelligent–the only one worthy of his grandson. He even promised that if Steven ever mistreated me, I should tell him, and he would set him straight. 

Steven had mistreated me, of course, but I never dared to tell. 

“And if I don’t go?” I asked, a hint of defiance in my voice. 

His tone was cool and detached. “Over the past year, how many times have you come to me for your father’s sake? And how many times have I refused?