SWNOVELS Chapter 76
Elizabeth’s frown deepened, memories tugging at her like an unwanted tide.
In the early days of her marriage to Elijah, Oliver had practically hounded her, calling incessantly.
He’d shamelessly invoked their shared bloodline to demand favors, whether it was insider stock tips, business deals, or invitations to high-society galas for Yara to snag a wealthy husband.
But Elizabeth had never been one to dance to anyone’s tune, least of all Oliver’s.
Her refusals were firm and final.
When it became clear he couldn’t use her as a pawn, Oliver dropped the pretense of fatherly affection.
Two years had passed without so much as a word between them.
And yet, here he was, calling out of the blue.
The timing wasn’t lost on her.
Their recent encounter, coupled with news of her impending divorce, had likely stirred his interest.
The phone buzzed persistently, on the verge of stopping.
She hesitated, weighing her options, before finally answering.
Her tone was frosty, the warmth of civility stripped away.
“What is it?”
Oliver began with a façade of paternal concern, his words subtly laced with criticism.
“Two years without returning home, and now that you’ve ascended the social ladder, you’ve forgotten your father.
You truly have a cold heart…”
As Oliver’s harsh words filled the phone, Elizabeth subtly moved the device away from her ear, her gaze drifting to the car window.
On the sidewalk, an elderly man approached a young woman emerging from a store, her arms laden with grocery bags.
With gentle care, he offered her an ice pop and took the heavy bags from her hands, allowing her to enjoy her treat while walking beside him.
Their striking resemblance would leave no doubt about their familial connection.
Though the daughter appeared to be around Elizabeth’s age, her father’s eyes still saw her as a child needing protection.
Unlike this tender scene, Oliver was nothing like that caring father.
Elizabeth withdrew her gaze indifferently.
On the other end of the line, Oliver’s tone shifted, growing less caustic, though the undertone of calculation remained.
“Yara told me you and Elijah had some sort of public spat about the divorce.
Is it because of his ex?”
He paused briefly, then continued, more as if pondering aloud than speaking to her, “You know, I’ve been thinking… Marrying into a wealthy family isn’t as glamorous as people think.
At the end of the day, one can only rely on their own blood and flesh.
We’re the ones you can truly count on.
You’ll probably get a nice settlement, right? Speaking of which, Yara’s been eyeing a Porsche 911.
It’s not that pricey.
If you buy it for her, I’m sure she’ll be grateful.”
Elizabeth clenched her jaw, a bitter laugh threatening to escape her lips.
She had anticipated this call would be unpleasant but hadn’t braced herself for this level of audacity.
Her family’s shamelessness knew no bounds—they were practically salivating over the money they assumed she’d receive from the divorce.
Oliver’s feigned concern, wrapped in the guise of family love, was nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to manipulate her.
It was grotesque.
Hypocritical.
At that moment, she found herself questioning if she truly shared the same blood as Oliver.
The sun poured through the car window, bright and golden, yet an icy chill crept through her veins.
Her mind drifted to Elijah, and a memory surfaced unbidden.
Once, he had stood between her and her family’s barbs, shielding her from their relentless demands.
Back then, she had seen him as her last refuge after her mother’s passing.
But now, even that had crumbled to dust.
Elizabeth inhaled deeply, pushing the wave of sentimentality into a locked corner of her mind.
Her voice, when she finally spoke, was as cold and sharp as a blade.
“Yes, Elijah and I are divorcing.
And I’ll leave with nothing.
So don’t bother wasting your time on me.”