Silas leaned against the counter with a drink in his hand, staring at his phone where the call with me had abruptly ended.
His brows were drawn together, his thumb hovering just above the screen as if he intended to call again.
“I didn’t think she’d just hang up,” he muttered.
Before he could place the call, Elara slid her hand around his arm with a practiced, gentle smile.
“She’s probably just tired. You said she’s always bothered if you have been out for so long. If she’s upset, I can talk to her. I can even bring a gift to make peace.”
Silas let out a short laugh, and some of the tension left his face. “You really are sweet, Elara. If only Eris were as understanding as you.”
“She is probably just overwhelmed,” Elara replied, resting her hand against her stomach. “Besides, she will be happy once she has my baby.”
Silas sighed and gave her hand a light squeeze. “You are kind, Elara. You sacrificed getting pregnant just to give me an heir. I just wish things were simpler.”
Her expression softened, warm and reassuring. “I just want to help you. I know you both are having a hard time creating one. Besides, I only want you to relax tonight. You deserve a break.”
They returned to the crowd, drinking and dancing as the music grew louder and the night blurred around them.
Cody stood off to the side, watching with a tense jaw. His phone kept lighting up with notifications, and he tried several times to get close enough to speak to Silas, but Silas was too absorbed to notice.
When it was well past midnight, Cody finally stepped forward.
“Alpha, we should head back. There have been several messages from home. I believe they are from the Madam,” he said carefully.
Silas waved him off with a grimace of irritation, the alcohol sharpening his tone. “I am in the middle of something here. I will deal with whatever it is in the morning.”
“But sir, the calls have been insistent. There could be some problem…”
“Did you not hear me?” Silas snapped. “Answer it yourself if you are so concerned.”
Cody paused, clearly unsettled, but Silas had already turned away again.
Elara spoke gently, feigning concern. “Maybe you should at least check. Maybe Eris is just distressed.”
“No. Do not worry about it. It is nothing urgent,” Silas said. “You know Eris likes to cause trouble whenever she wants. Let her wait.”
He ignored the constant ringing of his phone, choosing instead to stay with Elara. Hours passed before they finally stepped outside into the cool night air. As they exited, a figure hurried toward them.
At first, they brushed it off, but Silas stopped when he recognized his personal secretary. She was pale and out of breath, and the sight instantly sobered him.
“Alpha,” she said, struggling to steady her voice. “A lawyer came to the company. He delivered documents.”
Silas frowned. “Then give them to me tomorrow morning. You didn’t have to drive here and disturb my rest.”
“But sir, it was urgent. The lawyer said that with or without you, the divorce papers will take effect. You weren’t answering your phone, so I came here.”
Silas froze in place. His voice came out low and sharp.
“Divorce? Who would file something like that at this hour? Let me see.”
The secretary handed him the envelope. Silas ripped it open and scanned the pages, only to see my name and my signature clearly printed and sealed.
The room around him seemed to thicken. Anger erupted in his eyes. He immediately dialed my number.
Once, twice, repeatedly, but I did not answer.
“She is asking for divorce because of a few pictures?” his voice rose, cracking. “She didn’t even want to speak to me first?”
At that moment, Cody rushed forward, gripping Silas’ arm in a way that would normally be unacceptable for a subordinate. His face showed real fear.
“Alpha, there is a serious problem,” he said, breathing unsteadily.
Silas looked at him, and the expression on Cody’s face made everything inside him go still.
“The fire department called,” Cody continued. “Those messages from home were from security. Not from her.”
Silas stopped breathing. A sudden tightness seized his chest. It was painful, crushing, as if something inside him had been violently severed.
“What are you saying?” his voice came out louder, anger blending with something far more fragile. “Fire department? Security? Explain to me why they’re calling!”
Cody swallowed hard, the words heavy. “The fire department said there was a fire at your house. It burned down completely. And Madam, your wife, was inside when it happened.”
Silas’ heart skipped, stuttered, fractured.
“And what happened to her?” he asked, voice barely audible.
Cody lowered his gaze. “Sir… There were no survivors. Mrs. Eris died in the fire.”
