HEIRS OF THE HIDDEN FLAME

SPITEFUL FAMILY

He turned to Karina one final time. "Give me the jade ring pendant I gave to you." He asked politely. Since Karina had no idea what Tinder was, he has hidden it from her over the years. Now that they are divorced, he couldn’t hide it with her anymore and would need it back.

“Why should I give it to you? After all I’ve done for you, all you can think about is taking back the jade ring pendant you gave  me. Karina bombarded him with questions. Since he was not interested in collecting the settlement on the divorce papers, she wondered why he would ask for something as small as the jade ring pendant.

"Please, I would need it back. I know you might not see the pendant as important, but it has been in my family for generations since you divorced me; it’s best you give it back to me,” Nathan pleaded.

Karina felt that she shouldn’t make a fuss about it, so she removed the pendant and gave it to him. With that, he left the office, feeling a complex mixture of relief and heartache. The words and actions in the room had left him with more questions than answers, and he couldn't help but wonder if he had made a mistake.

***

He left the building and walked out into the open air. He knew that the road ahead would be fraught with challenges, but he was determined to find a way to heal and move forward, to rebuild his life in the absence of the love that had once been his anchor.

In the confines of the elevator, he replayed the bitter exchange that had just transpired, each word a piercing reminder of the love that was now shattered.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of deep disappointment in Karina. The woman he had once believed to be the love of his life had chosen the allure of the corporate world over their shared history and the love they had built together. It was a choice that left him feeling betrayed and abandoned.

The memory of Karina's cold words echoed in his mind. "The company is more important." Those words, uttered without a hint of remorse, had struck at the core of his being. He had believed that their love could conquer all obstacles, but it had been a naive and idealistic notion that now lay in pieces.

Nathan's heart ached with the realization that he had lost not only his parents but also the woman he had once hoped to spend the rest of his life with. The dream of a peaceful and happy life with Karina had been replaced by the harsh reality of their separation.

As the elevator dropped, he felt a growing sense of shame. He was ashamed of ever having believed that their love was invincible and that they could weather any storm together. He was ashamed that he had let himself be blinded by the illusion of a perfect life with Karina.

But amidst the pain and disappointment, there was a fierce determination that welled up within him. Nathan knew that he couldn't dwell on the past any longer. He couldn't continue to chase a love that was no longer reciprocated. His parents' deaths had been a painful reminder of the darkness that could lurk behind the facade of a seemingly perfect life, and he couldn't afford to be complacent any longer.

With a renewed sense of purpose, Nathan resolved to prioritize one thing above all else: finding the real culprits behind his parents' tragic plane crash. He was determined to unearth the truth, no matter how deeply it was buried, and bring those responsible to justice. The memory of his parents and their smiles and laughter fueled his determination to seek the truth.

‘I am going to make sure that finding the person behind my parent’s death is my only focus from now on,’ he thought with a serious look on his face.

As Nathan stepped out of the elevator, he was met with an unexpected encounter. Karina's mother, a formidable woman with an air of aristocracy who was in her early 60s, and her brother, a younger version of their mother who was in his early 20s, stood waiting in the hallway. They had always been critical of Nathan, and today was no exception.

Nathan greeted them both with a polite nod and a forced smile. "Mrs. Blackwood, James, it's good to see you."

However, the warmth in his greeting was met with an icy reception. Mrs. Blackwood's expression soured, and her tone dripped with condescension. "Nathan, you're always so persistent. You're still here, pestering my daughter even after she's made her decision. I hope you have signed the divorce papers."

James, Karina's younger brother, chimed in with a smug grin. "You just don't seem to get it, do you? Karina deserves better. You should realize you're not even close to being worthy of her."

Nathan felt a surge of anger and frustration, but he maintained his composure. He couldn't let their insults get the best of him—not now, not when he had a more significant purpose driving him. "I understand your concern, but this is between Karina and me, and I have signed the divorce papers." He made sure that they knew that he had separated from Karina.

Mrs. Blackwood's tone grew even more caustic. "Karina deserves someone with a future, someone who can match her ambition, someone like Alex Atwood. Not someone who's stuck in the past. I am glad you understood that and signed the papers."

Nathan's jaw clenched as he fought to hold back his retort. He had been stripped of his family and the love he had once shared with Karina, and now he had to endure the scorn of her family. He was determined to focus on the task at hand, but their insults stung deeply.

James chimed in once more, relishing the opportunity to demean Nathan. "I am glad you signed the papers, Nathan. Karina has moved on, and it's time you did the same; you don’t deserve my sister at all."

Nathan took a deep breath, his resolve unwavering. "I respect Karina's decision. It's her choice, and I won't stand in her way; I will move on." Even though he doesn’t mean it that much yet.

Mrs. Blackwood's expression softened, and for a moment, it seemed like there might be a hint of understanding in her eyes. "It's for the best, Nathan. You should find your own path and leave Karina alone."

Nathan nodded, acknowledging their words with a strained smile. He knew that their insults and disapproval were not what mattered most at this moment.

But then, Mrs. Blackwood’s expression hardened into one of ferocity. She leaned closer to Nathan and demanded, "Is that divorce agreement the one with the three million dollars in compensation?"

Nathan nodded, but his response was tinged with a quiet resolve. "Yes, it is. But I haven't taken a single dollar; I don’t need her money."

The disbelief in Mrs. Blackwood's and James eyes was evident, and she motioned to James to search Nathan. They wanted to be sure that Nathan didn’t take a copy of the divorce papers and compensation page. “If you are telling us the truth, raise your hands.” James said it in a cold tone. Nathan didn’t know why he asked him to do that, but he did it anyway, as he knew he had nothing to hide. James scoured his pockets, determined to find any evidence of the supposed compensation.