Claimed By My Husband's Enemy novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

(Eli)

Had it only been two days? It felt like two years already. I blinked back the tears as I watched my mom through the big screen. Creed must have grown a conscience on the way back to his house. After I showered, he brought me to his office. That’s why here I was, sitting on his executive chair, and watching my mom sleep.

I breathed heavily. “Please wake up soon, mom. I have so many stories I wish I could tell you. You wouldn’t believe how many walking red flags I’d met in all the years you were asleep. Wake up and let’s curse them together. I’m having a really tough time right now because of all of them. And yeah, I’m including your beloved red flags. Your husband and your son. Seriously, what did you see in Frederick? You don’t need him. You know what you need? Better eyesight.” I sniffled. “When you recover, whether you like it or not, I’m going to drag you to an eye specialist. I’ll get you the prettiest eyeglasses in the world.”

For that to happen, I would need money. Landon had never given me access to his money. I didn’t have even a cent under

my name.

But that was a problem meant for another day. I didn’t want to think about it now. Tonight, I only wanted to savor this feeling, the relief that Landon was no longer using mom as a leverage against me. Frederick could go to prison, and I would no longer give a damn. I was sure that if he were to get arrested, he totally deserved it. And if Easton wouldn’t get his act together, then they can have a father and son bonding in prison.

I wouldn’t tolerate them anymore.

‘Endure, Elianna. Whatever happens, you must endure. For your mother. For Easton. For me. Do you want us to suffer? To live in the streets? Think about it. If you just endure, we will all continue to live better lives.

That was Frederick’s stupid lines each time I would beg for his help about Landon. He saw the abuse I went through. Some days, he would find me in the attic. Instead of finding an ally in him, he would scold me like it was my fault that my husband locked me there. When I wouldn’t listen, he would send his son to say the same bullshit.

‘Father sent me here to talk some sense into you, sis. Don’t you think it’s better for just one person to suffer for our family than for all of us to suffer together? If you lose your husband’s favor, we’ll all go down. So, just forgive and forget, okay? Look pretty and latch onto Landon as much as you can. No one’s gonna take you like he does.’

I clenched my hands. Selling me was the last straw.

Endure? They could do that on my behalf. After I am done here, I will find a way to be freed from Landon, no, from all three of them. I was so tired of drowning for men who would sink me further into the water than lend me a hand.

I was so tired of being used.

Instead of letting myself be consumed with all these negative thoughts, I decided to talk to mom’s nurse who assured me that mom was safe and that she was in a better condition compared to the first time she’d met the patient. And I believed

her.

In all the years that mom was in the hospital, she was pale and thin. Her mouth was dry, her hair had lost its natural shine, and her cheeks were hollow. Of course, she still looked thin, but her lips started to have some color now like she was truly being taken care of.

“Good night, mom,” I said softly after almost two hours of watching her. “Sweet dreams.”

As soon as I headed out of Creed’s office, I was cornered by four very irritated werewolves who towered over me.

“We need to talk,” Lizbeth said, “Follow me.”

They brought me outside. They all sat around the bonfire and raised their brow at me afterwards.

“Are you going to just stand there?” Lizbeth asked,

I dropped on the sand beside Shanty who tossed me a canned beer. It was still cold when I caught it.

“Thanks,” I muttered and opened the can. After today, I badly needed a drink.

Silver frowned. “Anything else you want to tell us?”

“I’m sorry I ate and ran?” I answered after a sip. When the girls scowled at me, I sighed. “How about giving me a clue. instead of making me guess what exactly you want me to say?”

“The five of us left the house this afternoon, El Successfully unlocked! V you jump over that bridge, we thought we

were going home without you. You scared us!’

“When we were kids, our ancestors warned us about the Romualdez River. Hundreds of years ago, when rules and

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Chapter 18

boundaries were not established yet, some wizards tried to use their forbidden powers to turn shifters into their slaves. Naturally, the shifters fought back. It was one of our dark times. Eventually, we won. As punishment, all the wizards were thrown into the river alive and with injuries that were impossible to heal,” Shanty explained.

“They may have passed away but some said that their forbidden powers remained in the river. Some even said they cursed the river before they died, that their souls still lingered underwater, that’s why all of the people who ignored the warning and swam there were never the same again,” Carmie added. “Either they lost their ability to shift or they lost their minds. Princess Emmanuelle survived because she didn’t get to stay underwater for a long time and because of the powerful blood of the royal running through her veins. But you…”

Her voice trailed off.

“Look, I know I acted rash but I’m not sorry about it,” I confessed even if I did feel terrified now that I knew the story. Good thing I didn’t hear about it before I dived into the water or the nerves would have gotten to me and slowed me down. “The princess and I survived anyway. What can I say? I’m a lucky bitch.”

“The coolest bitch back there, I must admit,” Silver agreed with a smile this time as she clicked her can against mine.

“We saw the footage.” Shanty grinned. “Proud of you, bitch.”

Carmie handed me another can after I emptied mine. “From now on, if you have questions, you can ask us. We might not be able to tour you around because guess what? We are all grounded. But hey, we’ll be here. And we’ll answer whatever you want to know so you can survive this realm. You can also eat and drink with us like this again.”

I blinked twice. “You mean…”

“Yes, Eli,” Lizbeth answered and finally smiled which reached her eyes. “We are taking you in. Welcome to the squad, bitch.”

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