Page 66 of Seizing Control: Part Two

The prospect on sentry duty offers him a respectful nod in the early morning light.

It’s an incongruent action that doesn’t make sense.

How deep does my first love’s new role go in the underworld?

Understanding that my questions for Lazarus are meant for another day—not one where I have been emotionally drawn and quartered on the altar of my husband’s jealousy—I push my suspicions to the back of my mind. Right now, I have bigger issues. The contents of the envelope spill out onto my lap.

As I suspected, it’s legal paperwork.

The divorce papers are at the top of the pile.

I scan them briefly.

It’s exactly as he said.

I keep the house, the furniture, his stock portfolio, and his vehicle.

Retain sole custody of Garrett and our unborn child.

It kills me that he doesn’t even know that I’m carrying twins.

In return, my husband strips me of the last name Hudson.

“Damn.”

Although, based on his threats, I was anticipating the dissolution of our marriage, it still hurts. I’ve underestimated him for the last time. Slash’s pride is going to drive me to breaking point if I let it. I need to be stronger for my babies. A proper mother. Putting them first is the important thing I can do—and so far, Lazarus has proven the safer bet in that respect.

My useless heart has led me to this crossroad.

It needs to be put in its place too.

Different but equal might be doomed to failure...

“What is it?”

I shoot Lazarus a tight smile. “Divorce papers.”

To his credit, he doesn’t allow his delight at my husband’s defection to show on his face. Instead, my first love takes holds of my hand and squeezes. “He’s a fuckin’ idiot, sweet thing, and he’ll realise that sooner rather than later.”

Speechless in the face of Lazarus’ succinct observation, I riffle through the other documentation. My eyes widen as I read them, one page at a time, the first orange rays of the sunrise adding a surreal glow to the information I’m absorbing.

My husband has replaced the money my father stole.

Mine, Sander’s, Everett’s, Wyatt’s, and Nate’s.

Every single penny has been restored, and then some.

This accompanying documentation steals the final vestiges of my control.

He has set mine up as a perpetual fund to which he has no claim or access.

Coupled with the divorce, Slash has made it clear that he wants nothing tying us together.

It shatters my heart, splinters the part of my soul that belongs to him into a million pieces.

How can he be so kind yet walk away so easily?

“Slash has restored the trust accounts Brutus stole,” I tell Lazarus. He shoots me a look filled with surprise. His shock deepens into something darker when I continue. “He quadrupled them, in fact... made mine untouchable to anyone but me.”

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