Helena’s fingers trembled as she clutched her teacup, trying to regain control of the conversation. Clair and Noah sat opposite her, their presence suffocating the small living room with unspoken authority.

Clair leaned forward, her gaze sharp and unyielding. "We didn’t come here to argue, Mrs. Helena. We came to ensure Anabella’s divorce from Daniel Ross is finalized. Youwillforward the papers."

Helena’s face twisted with anger. "I willdo no such thing!Do you know what that would mean for Anabella? An omegadivorcedfrom a prestigious alpha like Daniel? She’ll beruined!Her life would be over—she’d be seen asworthless!"

Noah’s jaw tightened, his eyes darkening dangerously. "Her life was alreadyruinedthe moment you pushed her into that miserable arrangement," he hissed. "Yousoldher future to that self-absorbed bastard."

Helena bristled but held her ground. "Better an unhappy wife than a rejected omega. At least she has status as Daniel’s mate."

Clair’s voice turned icy. "Do youhonestlybelieve status will protect her? Daniel already discarded her—he’s moved on. Are you waiting for him to humiliate herpubliclybefore you act?"

Helena’s mouth opened, but no words came out.

Noah stood, towering over her. "Listen carefully," he said coldly. "You either forward those papers... or Ipersonallyensure that everything you cherish burns to ash."

Helena gasped, her eyes widening in terror. The weight of his words pressed against her chest like iron chains, making it hard to breathe.

Before she could respond, the front door creaked open.

"Helena?"

Anabella’s father, Marcus, stepped inside, his expression shifting from surprise to wariness the moment he caught the sharp, dominant scent of alpha pheromones hanging in the air. His instincts flared, and he quickly assessed the two strangers standing in his living room.

"What’s going on here?" he demanded, his voice steady despite his unease.

Clair stepped back, allowing Noah to speak. "Marcus. We’re friends of Anabella. We came to discuss her future."

Marcus frowned. "What about her future?"

"We want herfreefrom Daniel," Clair said, her tone firm but respectful. "Her marriage needs to be dissolved—for hersafety."

Helena hissed, stepping forward. "Youcannotbe serious, Marcus! Anabella’s only chance at a decent life is staying tied to Daniel Ross—"

"That’s enough, Helena."

Marcus’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. He turned to Clair and Noah. "Explain."

Clair met his gaze without flinching. "Daniel has already abandoned her. He’s moved on, leaving her without protection or status. Keeping her tethered to him will only cause hermorepain."

Noah added darkly, "We’ve seen what happens when neglected omegas like Anabella are left in the shadows. We won’t let that happen."

Marcus’s face tightened with restrained anger—not at them, but at the harsh reality sinking in. Heknewthey were right. Anabella’s strained, distant calls, her refusal to come home... it all made sense now.

"She’s my daughter," Marcus said quietly. "I’ve already failed her once. I won’t do it again."

Helena’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Marcus, youcan’t!You’ll doom her—"

"No,youdoomed her the day you forced her into that hellish marriage," Marcus snapped, his voice trembling with suppressed rage. "If there’s still a chance for her to behappy,I’ll take it."

Helena recoiled as though struck, her mouth opening and closing in stunned silence.

Marcus turned back to Noah and Clair. "What do you need me to do?"

Clair handed him a neatly folded set of documents. "Sign these and forward them to Daniel’s legal representative. Make itfinal."

Marcus accepted the papers without hesitation. "Consider it done."

Helena collapsed into a chair, breathing heavily as the reality of her loss sank in. She had gambled with Anabella’s life—and lost.

As Marcus escorted Noah and Clair to the door, he paused. "Thank you," he said quietly. "For looking out for her when we didn’t."

Noah nodded solemnly. "We’ll always protect her... no matter what."

As the door closed behind them, Marcus exhaled deeply, finally allowing himself tofeelthe crushing guilt that had been building for years.

Inside the dimly lit house, Helena remained motionless, staring blankly at the empty teacups on the table,defeated.

She hadn’t just lost control over Anabella’s life—she’d lost everything she’d built her pride on. For the first time, she wondered if her daughter might be better offwithouther.

Helena forced a shaky smile, her mind racing. "I understand your concerns," she said smoothly, regaining a measure of control. "But legal matters like these take time. Allow me a few weeks to get everything in order and ensure the process is handled properly."

Noah’s gaze darkened, his eyes narrowing with sharp awareness. "Weeks?" he repeated softly, though there was nothing gentle about his tone.

Clair stepped forward, her expression cold and unreadable. "We know what you’re doing," she said bluntly. "You’re stalling."

Helena’s fingers tightened around the hem of her skirt. "Of course not," she insisted. "I’m just making sure everything is done correctly. Rushing this could cause... complications."

Noah’s jaw clenched, and he exchanged a glance with Clair. They both knew Helena’s game—delaying long enough to manipulate the situation or involve Daniel’s powerful family.

"No need," Clair said smoothly, her voice sharp as a blade. "We’llpersonallyhandle the papers."

Helena’s eyes widened, panic flickering across her face. "But—"

Noah cut her off with a predatory smile. "Consider ithandled.You’redoneinterfering."

Their unspoken warning lingered like a storm cloud as they turned to leave, leaving Helena frozen in helpless frustration. She hadlost.

One look at her husband was enough to tell her that he was not on her side. What else could she do but leave things in other’s hands now?

"Fine, I will leave it all to you." With that said, Helena quickly made her escape. She did not want to humiliate herself more than she already had.

Her face was already left in shambles and her hands were trembling. Her heart felt like it would escape her chest any second now.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com