Family on Their Knees Heart Turned to Ice novel Chapter 1403

"The divorce is happening whether I want it or not," Bella said. "I didn't show up to the first hearing, and my lawyer said it doesn't look good. Sebastian's playing hardball. He explicitly stated he doesn't plan on giving me a single cent."

"I never knew Sebastian could be such a bastard," Sabrina spat. "Didn't you use to praise him to the skies? How did we miss this side of him?"

"He just never showed his true colors before. But it's not too late. We're legally married. I refuse to believe he can just toss me aside without parting with a dime. I won't let him go until I tear a chunk of flesh off him. He played the perfect gentleman before the wedding, and since we don't have a pre-nup, he has no right to kick me to the curb."

Sabrina gritted her teeth. "Exactly. We can't let him off the hook this easily. We have to squeeze every last drop we deserve out of him. He didn't give me an ounce of respect just now. He even had the nerve to tell me to go back and 'coax' Martin. Was he calling me a meddler?"

"Mom, don't lower yourself to his level," Bella said. "He treats his own mother like garbage; why would he respect us? He's a psychopath. Debbie Harris said it best—he's sick in the head. But what do you expect, being raised by a degenerate gambler like Debbie?"

Thinking of Debbie made Bella's blood boil. The woman was currently lying in a hospital bed, and Bella wasn't even sure if Debbie would hold up her end of the bargain to split the money. If nothing else, she needed Debbie to handle the Blood-Debt Vultures so she wouldn't be hunted down every day.

If she suggested selling his precious heirlooms to pay off Bella's debts, he would undoubtedly think she was being unreasonable.

Bella patted Sabrina's hand. "Mom, I'm not panicking. The due date isn't for a few days anyway. It's those thugs from the Blood-Debt Vultures who are playing dirty by demanding the cash early."

"Yes, they are ruthless," Sabrina agreed. "But honestly, it wouldn't be impossible to raise the principal. You have no idea how much wealth is sitting in that house. That old woman has a safe practically overflowing with priceless antiques. It's a shame none of them are willing to sell anything. I don't know why—what's wrong with selling a few things? Would it kill them? I brought it up once, and Martin acted like I was asking him to cut off his own arm. He says he loves me, but he only ever gives me worthless junk. He refuses to even touch the real treasures!"