Chapter 5 The departure
Elara did not wait for Damien's response. She simply left him and walked towards the master bedroom.
Damien frowned irritated by her response. “Elara” he called out, “Where do you think you're going? I told you I will compensate you generously. We need to formalize the assets. You can't just walk away with nothing and expect to survive.”
Elara stopped in the doorway. “I signed the papers, Damien. The assets are yours. As I said, I only want two things. The jewelry and the passport.”
“Yes, unimportant things. But you are entitled to half the liquid funds. Or perhaps the aspen condo. We can discuss an offshore transfer if you are worries about the tax implication.”
“I don't want your money, Damien. The compensation you owe me is not something that can be calculated by an accountant. It is not financial.”
“Don't be childish. He scoffed, walking over. *You cannot survive without liquid assets. You have no professional credential. No network of your own. Think about your future. You be back in a month begging for an allowance.”
“My future is not your concern,” Elara replied. “ I have signed the papers, that part is over. Our contract is finished.”
“Is the jewelry in the safe?” She asked not looking at him.
“Yes, it is in the primary safe. The key is in its usual spot. Just take it and go. I have a major meeting tomorrow and I need this over tonight.”
Elara walked into the wardrobe and, reaching into the drawer, removed a small silver key which she used to open the safe that was hidden behind a painting in the room.
Inside were Damien's emergency cash, stock certificate, and a small velvet box that contained the jewelry. A fragile silver locket that Damien saw as insignificant.
Then she brought out the emergency burner phone Alex had given her in the hospital. It was a direct line to the Vance Group's highest security network.
She pressed the on button, then put in the access code she was told to memorize. As the phone booted, a single text message showed up. “Choose.” Elara typed in her reply. “I'm coming home.”
The response was quick. “Security sweep initiated wait for the signal.” She put the phone back into her bag, when Damien came into the room.
“Did you find the tacky jewelry?” He asked “I still don't understand why you're being so difficult about the money. Be practical, Elara.”
“I was practical for three years,” she said. “I ran this house, managed your schedule, and made sure your social identity was flawless.”
“I accepted your silence, your neglect, and your cruelty. In the practical hope that you would one day see me. That you would one day choose me over the ghost of your past.”
Damien frowned “I don't know what you are talking about. I provided for you. You had everything you needed. You lived in luxury.”
“I had nothing I needed,” Elara shouted.
“Damien. I saw the signs while we were dating, but I was just too blind to believe. I thought I could change your mind,” Elara continued, “but I no longer require your provision to exist.”
She slowly raised her hands, looking at the three-carat diamond wedding ring she was wearing and removed it from her fingers.
Damien watched her, surprised. “Elara, don't be ridiculous. Keep the ring. It's expensive. Worth more than what is in your bank account.”
“It's a symbol of a contract I no longer honor,” she stated.
She put the ring on the nightstand, under the picture of Damien and Seraphina from their high school days, a picture Elara had silently endured for many years.
“You won't need to worry about the ring or the house or your reputation any longer,” she said, facing him.
Elara picked up her passport from the dresser. “My sole focus now is to deal with the source of my humiliation.”
“Good good. You will be busy. It's better that way,” he replied relieved.
Elara crossed her hands. “It’s better this way for me,” she confirmed, “but you misunderstood. The source of my humiliation isn't an external rival. It's the man who kept me caged, then left me bleeding for a lie.”
Damien recoiled slightly. “That's enough. Elara, don't threaten me. Elara, don't threaten me. The thorne name…”
“The Thorne's name is built on a foundation of poor decision-making and blind arrogance.” Elara cut him off.
“I overheard enough of your phone calls and saw enough of your financials over the last three years to know that Damien and soon the world will know it too.”
“You think you can take me down?” Damien laughed” with what uh? Your divorce settlement? You have nothing.”
“I have everything you lack.” Elara said she put her passport into her pocket. “I'm leaving everything here,” she said, “the clothes, the furnitures, the bank account. I want no trace of the last three years on me. I want no debts to you.” She walked past a frozen Damien who was shocked at her audacity.
“I signed the divorce papers Damien,” she paused, “but that was just for your ego, I just filed the real one you will be hearing from my lawyers.”
She didn't wait for his reply. Elara walked outside, leaving the Thorne's estate completely.
Standing on the curb was a sleek blue custom-made sedan that screamed money. Alexander Vance stood beside the opened rear passenger door.
“Welcome home, Elara,” he said, nodding his head. “The board is waiting”.
Elara looked back at the Thorne's estate, a home that had been a prison for three years.
A loud voice shouted from the door, “Elara, get back here. Who is that?. You can't just leave like…” Damien stopped in shock.
Elara ignored him and entered into the car and Alex closed the door behind her. As the car pulled away with a silent, powerful speed, Elara whispered to her brother, “Execute phase one, I want Thorne corps stock weeping by morning”.
