After She's Terminal The Alpha Regrets (Elaine and Lucas) novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

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Elaine froze. What was she supposed to say? She didn’t want to lie to Harriet, but telling the truth seemed out of the question. Realizing the silence was just as damning, Elaine quickly spoke.

“It’s nothing, Harriet. I got dizzy at the gala and fell. Liam was there and helped me to the hospital,” she said.

“Dizzy?”

“It was hot and stuffy, and I hadn’t had any water,” Elaine continued, hoping more details made it sound more believable. Harriet’s narrowed gaze told Elaine it did not.

“Elaine, if something is wrong…”

“The only thing that is wrong is you thought Liam and I had gone off and done something. He’s just a friend, and barely one at that. We hardly know each other!”

Harriet raised a brow, noting the way Elaine’s voice rose in pitch. She decided, perhaps wisely, not to push the matter further now. Elaine would only get more defensive. Instead, Harriet stood up from the sofa.

“Right. Well, I suppose I should let you know what I’ve come up with for your divorce,” Harriet said, crossing to the dining table, where an array of papers was laid out. (1

Elaine sighed quietly in relief. She stood as well, crossing to join Harriet at the table. “Right. Any new with the Elder Council? It’s going to be difficult to get Lucas to cooperate.” 1

“I think your strongest stance is leaning on how in seven years, you’ve not once gotten pregnant,” Harriet said, glancing sideways at Elaine.

Elaine crossed her arms, brow furrowed as she looked at the papers.

When she said nothing, Harriet continued, “But I’ve also been reviewing the compensation you should be receiving. You have proof from the servants within his house and from every event you organized and attended, of how much you contributed to the marriage.”

“And?” Elaine prompted.

“And you’ll have enough money to keep your foundation running for quite some time,” Harriet said with a smile.

Another sigh. Finally, some good news. Though this money wasn’t available to her at the moment. “I only get this after the divorce.”

Harriet’s expression sobered. “True. But I think you should have enough now to get things started with the foundation, at least. The building, initial supplies, staff…”

“Right. Well, let’s get going on that. We’ll need to get a budget figured out first.” She started toward her room, thinking of changing into something more comfortable.

“But Elaine?”

She paused, glancing over her shoulder. “Yes?”

“Your family.”Harriet closed one of the folders. “They’re going to want this money.”

Elaine straightened. She knew that, of course. Her father and stepmother would try to use it for their own means. Spend it on themselves for whatever frivolous thing they wanted.

“They won’t get it,” Elaine said. Her voice was confident, but there was a part of her that wondered just how hard her family would try.

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Chapter 23

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“You still need to be careful. As soon as they find out you’re getting something, let alone how much, they’re going to try and take it.”

Elaine knew that. She just didn’t know how they’d go about such a thing. But knowing her family, that wouldn’t stop them from trying. They’d likely say they had some sort of claim to it because they’d supported her all these years… a lie that might work in a courtroom.

Harriet was right. Elaine needed to be careful.

The next day brought warm rays of light through the curtains of Elaine’s room. Well, not her room. Harriet’s guest room. It felt freeing to wake up and not scramble to organize a household of servants to prepare everything for an Alpha who never even looked her way.

There was no rush. No planning out an entire day, organizing the details down to the minute. Just peace and the smell of Harriet’s cooking coming in from the kitchen.

Elaine got dressed and went immediately out to the dining room table, where they’d started on a budget for the foundation last night.

Last night.

What Lucas said over the phone at the hospital came to her thoughts. Her own husband had never even cared. A bitter pill to swallow, but one she should have seen coming.

She thought that maybe, just maybe, over the past seven years, Lucas might grow to feel something. Anything for her. Yet his words were clear as day. Cold as stone. He didn’t care. Part of her had known all along. Him marking Ayla should have nailed it into her stubborn head. Lucas never cared.

It hadn’t been until he’d said it that she finally accepted it for what it was. Elaine rubbed a hand at her temple, trying not to think about it.

Liam popped into her mind, unbidden.

She couldn’t entertain any thoughts of him, it was selfish to. She wouldn’t be around long enough.

How long had the doctor said? Six months.

Nearing only five.

Elaine placed a hand against her chest. She had such little time left, but so much she still wanted to do.

Despite it all, she wondered if Liam would try to reach out today.

“Breakfast,” Harriet called from the kitchen.

Thank the goddess for the interruption. “I’ll be there in a second!”

Elaine looked back down at the papers on the table. At least there was one thing she could plan that was worthwhile before she went. Something that would actually help those who needed it.

Not just benefit her own selfish family.

Her phone buzzed, dragging her from her thoughts. She pulled it from her pocket, pressing it to her ear as she walked toward the kitchen. “Hello?”

“Luna Elaine?” The voice on the other line was clipped. Not exactly panicked, but not calm either.

“This is her,” Elaine replied. Harriet gave her a look as she walked into the kitchen, plating a helping of eggs and bacon.

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Chapter 23

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