Chapter 615
Amelie leaned against the doorframe of the guest suite, watching Mona pack the last of her belongings. “You’re leaving so early,” Amelie suggested softly, a hint of disappointment in her voice. “At least stay until the celebration party. It won’t be the same without you p>
Mona offered a small, apologetic smile as she zipped her suitcase. “I would love to, really, but Mom is worried. I ended up telling her about everything that happened here, and she won’t rest until I’m back home. But I’ll come soon, Amelie. Straight to San Ravendale,” she asserted.
“Please do. And make sure to inform me the moment you make up your mind,” Amelie told her. “I’ll see you off to the airport myself p>
“No, don’t bother yourself for me,” Mona insisted, waving her hand dismissively. “You have enough on your plate with the palace transition p>
“How is it a bother? Noah could use a small outing too,” Amelie pointed out.
Mona paused, a look of genuine concern crossing her face. “Alright… But is it okay for you to be in such crowded places? Everyone knows you. People may try to get close to you, and with everything going on p>
“You think too much,” Amelie stated with a confident smile, giving Mona’s arm a gentle, reassuring pat. “Just finish your breakfast and you’ll find me waiting for you in the car. We’ll have our security with us, so don’t worry p>
“Okay,” Mona agreed, watching Amelie’s retreating figure.
When she stepped out of the chamber, she nearly bumped into Carlos. He was leaning against the opposite wall, looking more relaxed than she had seen him in days.
“Let’s have breakfast together,” he said, pushing off the wall.
Mona raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. “What’s with this? My cousin is suddenly giving me so much priority,” she remarked.
He chuckled, though there was a hint of genuine guilt in his eyes. “Aunt is upset with me for dragging you into this mess. She thinks I put you in the line of fire. Besides,” he added, his voice softening as he gestured toward the dining area attached to the suite, “I don’t know when I’ll get to see you again once you leave p>
“I’ll tell Mom not to be upset with you. She knows it’s not your fault,” Mona murmured as they both took their seats at the small, elegantly set table.
The steam rose from the fresh coffee. Carlos served her a portion of egg omelettes.
“Carlos, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Also, start dating. Since you have decided to live among the wolves, I’m hoping you’ll build a family of your own too. Grandma wanted that too, right p>
Carlos hummed as he began eating quietly.
“Why do you have to be so harsh with Juniper?” Mabel scolded with disappointment. Dominick stood like a statue, his hands clasped firmly behind his back, staring out the window at the departing car.
“We thought you gave her alimony while finalizing your divorce,” Raidan added. “This isn’t right, Dominick. You should have handled that conversation better. She made mistakes, grave ones, but that doesn’t mean you have to strip her of her dignity and make her feel low p>
“Exactly,” Mabel agreed, crossing her arms. “Respect the years you both shared together before marrying each other p>
Dominick finally turned. “I asked her to take it. I offered her assets, a house, and a monthly stipend. But her pride won’t allow it. She would rather starve in a gutter than take a ’charity’ check from me. What am I supposed to do? Force the pen into her hand p>
Mabel didn’t look convinced. She knew the pride of a woman who felt she had lost her soul.
“Nick, this isn’t a way you should talk about your ex-mate,” Raidan told him. “This isn’t something we taught you. It was my decision to let her go unpunished. And you should have handled it in a mature way, not a childish way p>
Dominick bit his bottom lip, feeling bitter.
“Call Gabriel,” Mabel ordered Lester.
Lester bowed deeply. “At once, Your Majesty,” he murmured before hurrying away to find a secure line.
Dominick let out a harsh, dry laugh. “What do you think Gabriel is going to do p>
“Gabriel knows where she’s living,” Mabel answered firmly. “I want to meet Juniper myself. No matter what transpired after your marriage, I cannot ignore the fact that she was our daughter-in-law. I won’t have it on my conscience that she is living in agony while we sit in a palace p>
Dominick opened his mouth to protest, but his mother cut him off with a sharp gesture.
“And I want to hear her side,” Mabel continued, her voice dropping to a more somber tone. “Have you forgotten how her brother stood before us? Have you forgotten how he questioned the incompetency of this royalty? We failed to provide him justice for his dead mate. If we treat Juniper with that same cold negligence, we are proving him right. We are proving that we only care for those who are currently ’useful’ to us p>
Raidan nodded slowly, agreeing with his wife. “Your mother is right, Dominick. If we cast her out into the cold now, we are just continuing the cycle of bitterness p>
“Mom, did you call for me?” Gabriel entered the chamber, his expression guarded as he bowed to his mother.
“Yes, take a seat,” Mabel said.
Gabriel glanced briefly at Dominick, noting the tension radiating from his brother, before lowering himself into a sofa chair.
“Where does Juniper live? Take me there,” Mabel commanded.
Gabriel paused, his brow furrowing. “Umm… What happened? Why do you want to see her so suddenly p>
“I want to talk to her,” Mabel replied simply. She wasn’t ready to discuss the guilt she felt regarding Juniper.
Gabriel hummed, realizing that when his mother used that tone, it was best to comply. He pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed Karmen. On the other end, Karmen had just pulled up to the apartment complex where Juniper was currently packing her single suitcase.
“Make sure Juniper stays in the apartment,” Gabriel instructed firmly into the phone. “My mother and I are coming there p>
Karmen looked at Juniper. “Understood,” Karmen replied.