Chapter 16:

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Going through a divorce was something that might have shattered Allison three years ago, but now? Now, it felt like little more than brushing off an old coat she should have discarded ages ago.

Not that there wasn’t any sadness. Of course, there was. Three years pretending to be someone she wasn’t—for a fleeting crush from her younger days. She had foolishly believed that Colton might recall their shared past, but even if he did, what difference would it make now?

Colton already had his true love, and in the process, he’d morphed into someone she found utterly repugnant.

Now that it was all behind her, Allison found the divorce surprisingly trivial, as if it held no more weight than choosing what to have for breakfast. Instead of the crushing heartbreak she once feared, she felt a sense of release, like shackles had been unlocked.

Maybe it was because those three years had been nothing but a cascade of disappointment. By the time the truth finally settled in, her heart had hardened, grown numb.

How had she not seen it before? How had she missed just how vile Colton truly was?

She tilted her head back and muttered quietly to herself, “This is my fresh start.”

That night, Allison drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep on the bed, the weight of her past slipping further away. The following morning, she made her way to the Stevens family’s old estate, nestled halfway up a hill with breathtaking views that would make any visitor pause. Allison had expected to meet Keanu directly. But to her surprise, it was Colton’s mother, Lindy Stevens, who greeted her.

“Allison, you’re here,” Lindy said softly, taking a delicate sip of her coffee.

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Despite being over fifty, Lindy carried herself with the grace of someone untouched by time. She wore a fitted brown cheongsam, adorned with pearl earrings, her every movement poised and refined.

As she glanced up, her gaze lingered on Allison for a moment. Surprise flickered in Lindy’s eyes. Gone were the plain, loose clothes Allison once favored, and the rigid clip that held back her hair. Today, she wore a light green dress, flowing softly, like a willow tree swaying in a gentle breeze. There was a newfound elegance, a quiet allure that hadn’t been there before.

“Good morning, Mrs. Stevens,” Allison greeted politely.

Keeping her tone respectful, Allison replied. No matter how messy things had gotten with Colton, she maintained the courtesy ingrained in her upbringing.

“There’s no need for such formality, dear. Come, sit with me,” Lindy said warmly, standing to take Allison’s hand. Yet, beneath the warmth, she couldn’t help but sense a shift in Allison’s demeanor.

Allison’s expression remained serene, her manner calm. But there was something else now—a cool detachment, a stark contrast to the docile girl Lindy had once known.

“Don’t call me Mrs. Stevens, just Lindy as usual,” she sighed, a trace of weariness in her voice. “It’s Colton’s loss, you know. I can only imagine how hard these years must have been for you.”

Allison met Lindy’s words with a polite smile. She allowed herself to be guided to the couch, but her stance remained firm.

With a calm yet unwavering tone, Allison replied, “It wouldn’t feel appropriate. It’s just a title, after all, so there’s no need to overthink it, Mrs. Stevens.”

Her response was tactful, yet it left no room for negotiation. It was impossible to find fault in her words. Lindy’s eyebrow twitched ever so slightly, her frustration barely perceptible. But she quickly masked it with a gentle, motherly smile.

“I’ve told Colton how furious I am with him. Believe me, I gave him an earful last night. If his grandfather weren’t so ill, I would’ve insisted on involving the whole family.” Lindy was used to controlling situations with charm and grace, but she hadn’t anticipated this sharper side of Allison. Just by sticking to a formal title, Allison had created a distance between them—subtle, but unmistakable. It wasn’t cold, exactly, but the message was clear.

Lindy sighed dramatically, dabbing at her eyes with a finger as if wiping away unseen tears.

“You’ve had such a hard life, my dear. No family to support you, and now this divorce. How do you plan to manage on your own?”

With that, Lindy slid a hollow enamel gold bracelet off her wrist.

“My son may have been in the wrong, and I can’t control him, but I’ve always thought of you as a daughter. If you don’t mind, I will still treat you the same way as usual. That way, we can preserve the bond we’ve built. You’ve always been like family to me.”

She tried to press the bracelet into Allison’s hand, but Allison didn’t budge, gently pushing it back.

“Thank you for the kind offer, Mrs. Stevens,” Allison said softly, “but I’m doing fine on my own.”

Allison knew all too well that no woman in this household was to be underestimated.

And Lindy, with her decades spent navigating the intricate webs of high society, was a master at saying one thing while meaning another. Her words, as sweet as they sounded, were carefully constructed, each syllable dripping with unspoken intent.

Behind the kind offer was a clear message: Keanu’s health was failing, and as an orphan without strong backing, Allison would be wise not to make waves. She’d better take the bracelet, maintain her ties with the Stevens family, and avoid causing trouble.

Beneath the warm remarks was a premeditated approach. It appeared kind on the surface, but it was a warning. Lindy’s methods were leagues ahead of Melany’s crude attempts.

Lindy’s voice stayed quiet as she said, “Don’t be shy. If I say you’re still a part of our family, Colton has no say.” Even while Lindy was still smiling, the rejection of the bracelet caused her gaze to turn colder.

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