From “Clingy” to Gone My Independence Was His Biggest Regret novel Chapter 44

Chapter 8

The Rockefellow mansion blazed with lights, the streets clogged with guests.

My father arrived with young men from our family and his students in tow.

Ars. Cornelia sneered, ordering them away.

ut Father’s men unrolled the New York marriage statutes and read aloud:

A man may not remarry without his wife’s consent.”

Should he do so, her family has the right to reclaim her dowry.”

ne trunk after another was carried out from my private quarters.

very heirloom tallied, every jewel listed.

hen Father produced the divorce papers.

With force, Theodore’s hand was pressed to the ink pad and onto the page.

t last, Father exhaled, heavy and long, and handed Theodore a small dark wooden box.

This is the Vanderbilt family’s wedding gift to you. Take it.”

he guests froze.

heodore, furious, flung the box open.

fell to the ground, spilling its contents–flesh and blood.

asps, shrieks, horror.

Irs. Cornelia clutched her chest, pointing a trembling finger.

This–this–

heodore stood rooted, eyes locked on the lifeless remains.

ather’s voice rang out like a blade.

That is your heir, Theodore Rockefellow. Your very firstborn son.”

From this day forward, Rockefellows and Vanderbilts are enemies to the death!”

irs. Cornella collapsed in a faint.

heodore, red eyed, tried to reach for me–only to be beaten down by Father’s men.

erena appeared in her wedding gown, rushing to shield him.

Stop this! You’re being cruel!

Theodore and I were childhood sweethearts–we’ve loved each other since we were young”

Why must you persecute me?”

The room went silent.

From “Clinge to Cone. My Juddenvendance WN HI Riggest RAMNE

Chapter 8

Then a man’s voice cut through.

“And what of Captain Thomas?”

“Did he force you to marry him? Or was it all a lie?”

The man stormed out, leaving Serena pale and speechless.

One by one, guests shook their heads and began to leave.

When I awoke, my parents were by my side.

Father placed the divorce decree in my hands.

I pressed it to my chest, breathing at last.

“From now on, I am Scarlett Vanderbilt again. No longer a Rockefellow.”

I shut myself away, as though I’d never been married.

Only when word of Theodore and Serena reached me did the memories return.

The child I killed.

The years wasted.

Rumors spread–Theodore adored Serena, indulged her every whim.

They called her his true love.

And me? An imposter.

threw myself into building a girls‘ academy on the outskirts of town.

he Duchess of Marlborough invited me to her garden party.

ut I hadn’t expected to face Serena there–her belly swollen with child.

he smirked, thrusting it forward as though to mock me.

walked past, stony–faced–until I heard it.

Scarlet Theodore’s voice, hoarse, dazed.

froze, then glared.

Have some dignity, Duke. You don’t get to call me that.”

erena rushed in front of him, defensive.

laughed bitterly.

Clutch too hard, and in the end, you’ll hold nothing.”

he Duchess drew me away, offering counsel, even a capable governess to help run my school

he academy grew, though at first only a few students came.

ut with the Duchess’s support, things slowly flourished.

y year’s end, the snow promised a good harvest.

Chapter S

Serena bore a daughter. Mrs. Cornelia was furious–she had wanted a grandson.

Soon. Theodore strayed, accepting other women into his bed.

Serena raged. Their marriage rotted.

Worn down, aging faster than her years, Serena was no longer the radiant rival I once hated.

And then–Captain Thomas returned.

Alive. Victorious.

All New York celebrated.

Theodore and Serena were stunned.

Thomas, hearing the truth from my Aunt Agatha, stormed into the Rockefellow house.

The once–grand mansion was hollow, stripped bare.

le beat Theodore bloody.

heodore whimpered. “Stop! Stop! You can have Serena back.”

You disappeared for months without a single letter–what did you expect?”

homas’s gaze burned, full of contempt.

You faithless woman,” he spat at Serena. “You ran off? Let her run.”

heodore cried, “Then why hit me?”

Because I thought you were a man of honor. But you’re a coward. A hypocrite.”

e struck him again.

ook at your sins–every one deserves a beating!”

nally, Thomas relented.

ou poisoned your mistress, then made your wife arrange your wedding?

u drove her to kill her own child. You’re damned, Theodore Rockefellow,”

seodore broke, sobbing

nd Serena–terrified–lost the baby she carried.

fter that, Theodore began haunting me.

‘aiting outside my school. Following me at a distance.

y father, worried, sent two young guards to watch over me.

he first time Theodore tried to approach, he raged at the men.

Who are they?”

only laughed coldly.

hen he begged forgiveness.

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hapter 8

looked him dead in the eye.

Can you bring my child back?”

le choked, eyes red, speechless.

le dropped to his knees, slapping his own face, sobbing apologies.

ut I only felt disgust.

Duke, you’ve already lost your honor. Don’t make me lose mine. Stop following me.”

e crumpled, crying at my feet.

walked away.

nd for the first time in years, I felt free.

nother year passed.

he academy thrived.

planned to travel, to see the world for myself, to write of what I saw–so women everywhere could know life was more than gilded cages.

ather even secured a quiet position so he could accompany me.

t last, we would chase the dream of my childhood–together.

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