Page 13 of Claiming His Wife
"From what?" The words were sharp and edged with icicles.
Five years ago, Kalilah would have jumped to remedy her error, now she tossed a bland smile in her mother's direction and cut into her cake.
"Wives belong under the same roof as their husbands." It sounded like a statement but coming from her father it was nothing short of an order. Her mother's discreet nod followed immediately.
Katherine never disagreed or argued with her husband. Was it love, she wondered, or was her mom aware of the hand that fed her, and wrote her cheques? "I still think it was foolish for him to allow you to attend college in another country, but to each man his own. This business of a married woman recuperating anywhere except with her husband is hazy at best and will not be done under my roof," he continued, his booming voice filling the room.
Kalilah became aware that she wouldn’t be able to stay here for six months, as she’d hoped. Not when what she wanted was in direct opposition to her parents’ desires. She wished Kaiya was here. At least supper would’ve been more tolerable. She remembered plenty of occasions when Kaiya would secretly text her during supper to mock their parents. Those were good times.
"Go home to your husband, dear; men tend to misbehave when left to their own devices," her mother remonstrated, trying to head off her father's temper.
Is that why you cling to your husband so desperately?The thought, not the words came to Kalilah. Such disrespect would not be tolerated at the table.
"He has been alone for five years."
"More reason to go home to him," her mother insisted.
"Mother, it's hardly been a marriage, and there is no reason to pretend otherwise. Finn would no doubt be more interested in me leaving him to his devices. Apparently, he has done well for himself." She shoved the last fork full of cake into her mouth and cleaned her mouth with the napkin.
"What the boy has done with the company is nothing short of genius; he has the board in his lap. There’s no doubt he’ll be CEO after I retire." Her dad boasted, like a proud father.
"You’re quite right, darling, and Finn has not suffered any lack of social engagements, but you are here now," her mother supplied. The implication was clear.
A wave of jealousy descended on her so sharply her vision wavered. It was too much to believe that a man as handsome or as virile as Finn would play the patient male and wait for his runaway, reluctant bride to return.
Of course, he had mistresses stashed in every corner of Quebec,she surmised; more fool she was for allowing herself fall into that five-month game. No biggie. Soon she would return to Jonathan.
Jonathan!Clarity descended with a good dose of shame. Here she was jealous of her husband's social life when she had a boyfriend of her own.
"His social life is his own and will continue to be after I am gone. I did not come home to resume my marriage." It was time to bring her mission to light.
"What are you home for then?"
"I came home to get an annulment." Saying it the second time was easier. Reactions were varied.
Her mother gasped. Her hand flew to her delicate throat and when Kalilah turned to her father, she wished she hadn’t.
His brown eyes, much like hers, glittered with barely suppressed anger, and were filled with disbelief. Richard Anderson was not used to having his wishes opposed. He had wanted a competent heir to lead his empire when he no longer could and had married off his first daughter to get one. Now she was blathering foolishness while seated at his table.
"You cannot do that!" Her mom said. The irony did not escape her; she had said the same thing to Finn earlier today.
"I can, Mother. I met someone new and I want freedom to marry him," she announced calmly.
Her mother was shocked into silence, but not her father.
"Found yourself a smooth-talking gold-digger who’s going to take you for all you’re worth, girl? I will not allow it!"
"Richard!" her mother gasped again.
"Please, Mother,” Kalilah said, and then she turned to her father. "You would know about gold-diggers since you married me to one. Jonathan isn’t interested in my money. In fact, he is the best man I’ve ever met in all my life. Honest to a fault, and kind.”
Her father ignored what she had just said and stared at her murderously.
“Finn will never agree to this. That boy loves you too much."
What did her father know about what Finn felt for her anyway? She decided to not offer a response concerning Finn’s feelings.
"He already has. In three months’ time, I will have my uncontested annulment."
