The Hidden Heir's Revenge

CHAPTER TWO: THE ULTIMATUM

Derek led the way back to Nora's room, his expensive shoes clicking against the hospital tiles. Alex followed in silence, his humiliation complete by Derek's show just now. 

When they entered, Catherine's face lit up at the sight of her nephew.

"Derek! Thank goodness you're here."

"Aunt Catherine." Derek kissed her cheek, then shook Richard's hand. "I came as soon as I heard about Nora's accident. How is she?"

"Better, now that you're here," Catherine said, shooting a dark look at Alex. "Unlike some people who only make things worse."

"I also took care of the hospital bill," Derek added casually. "There was a small issue at the front desk with payment."

Catherine's eyes narrowed at Alex. "Let me guess. Your card was declined?"

"The situation was handled," Alex said tightly.

"By Derek not by you." Catherine stood up, her voice rising. "Your wife is lying in a hospital bed and you can't even cover her medical expenses. Do you have any shame at all?"

"Mom, please." Nora's voice was quiet from the bed. "Not now."

But Catherine was just getting started. "Do you know what your precious husband was doing while you were being attacked, Nora? Washing dishes. Wearing that ridiculous apron. Playing house while his wife fought for her life."

"That's not fair," Alex started.

"Fair?" Catherine laughed harshly. "You want to talk about fair? It's not fair that my brilliant daughter threw away her future for a man who can't even keep a job."

Derek held up a hand. "Aunt Catherine, there's something else you should know. About the situation with David Parker."

The room went still.

"He's filing a lawsuit," Derek continued. "Against Nora. Claims she assaulted him without provocation."

Alex felt like he had been punched in the gut. "That's insane. He attacked her."

"His lawyers say otherwise," Derek replied smoothly. "And unfortunately, Grandfather Davis has made his position clear."

"What position?" Alex demanded.

Catherine answered, her voice cold as ice. "That this is Nora's problem to fix. She went against the family's wishes when she married you, Alex. She made her choice. Now she lives with the consequences."

"Grandfather wouldn't abandon her like that," Alex said, but his voice lacked conviction.

"Wouldn't he?" Derek's smile was sharp. "The Davis family has worked for decades to build its reputation. Nora damaged that reputation when she married beneath her station. Why should Grandfather protect her now?"

Richard spoke for the first time, his voice measured. "There is a way the family might help with the lawsuit. But it requires Nora to prove her loyalty to the Davis name."

Alex knew what was coming before the words were spoken.

Catherine delivered them anyway, looking directly at Alex with satisfaction in her eyes.

"She needs to divorce you. Tomorrow. No delays, no negotiations. You're out of this family, Alex Munroe. Finally and completely."

The machines monitoring Nora's vitals beeped steadily in the silence that followed. Outside, someone laughed. A normal afternoon sound in a hospital, completely at odds with the destruction of Alex's world.

He looked at Nora, waiting for her to object. To defend him. To remember that they had promised to face everything together.

She stared at her hands, saying nothing.

"Nora?" Alex's voice cracked. "Tell me you're not considering this."

Her silence was answer enough.

Derek checked his expensive watch. "Well, this has been enlightening, but I have a meeting. Nora, feel better soon."

He paused at the door, turning back to Alex with mock sympathy. "Oh, and Alex? You might want to start looking for a new place to live. I doubt you'll be welcome at the Davis house much longer."

The door closed behind him.

Catherine gathered her designer purse. "Richard and I are going to get coffee. We'll give you two hours to discuss your future. Or rather, Nora's future without you."

They left without another word.

Alex and Nora were alone. The machines continued their steady beeping. Somewhere down the hall, a baby cried.

"Nora, please look at me."

She did, finally, and he saw tears tracking down her cheeks. "What do you want me to say, Alex?"

"That you're not going to divorce me just because your family demands it. That you remember why we got married."

"I remember." Her voice was barely a whisper. "I remember being young and stupid and thinking love was enough."

"It was enough. It is enough."

"Is it?" She gestured around the room. "Look where we are, Alex. I'm in a hospital because I was trying to save a business contract while you were at home. I'm facing a lawsuit from a man who assaulted me. And you couldn't even pay my hospital bill."

Each word was like a knife into his heart. Alex felt them all.

"The money situation is temporary. I'm working on something that will…"

"Stop." Nora held up her hand. "Please stop making promises you can't keep. I can't take it anymore."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying I'm tired, Alex. I'm tired of defending you to my family. I'm tired of pretending things will get better. I'm tired of being embarrassed every time you walk into a room."

"I never wanted to embarrass you."

"But you do!" The words burst out of her. "Every single day, you embarrass me. Do you know what people say about us? They say I'm a fool. That I threw away everything for a man who isn't worth it."

"And you think they're right?"

Nora looked away. "I don't know anymore."

Alex felt something crack inside his chest. Three years of marriage, of sharing a home and a bed, of believing they were building something together.

All of it was crumbling because he didn't have enough money in his bank account.

"Give me two weeks," Alex said suddenly.

"What?"

"Two weeks. If I can't fix the situation with Parker and prove I'm not the useless man your family thinks I am, I'll sign the divorce papers myself. No argument, no lawyers. I'll just go."

Nora's eyes widened. "Alex, you can't possibly…"

"Two weeks, Nora. Is our marriage worth at least that much?"

She studied his face, searching for something. Whatever she was looking for, she didn't seem to find it. But finally, she nodded.

"Two weeks. But Alex, if you fail, I'm done. Do you understand? Completely done. No second chances, no more waiting."

"I understand."

He walked to the door, his hand on the handle, then paused without turning around. "I know you don't believe me right now. But I love you, Nora. I always have. And I'm going to prove that I'm worth the risk you took on me."

He left before she could respond.

In the hallway, Alex leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. His cheek still burned where Catherine had slapped him but his pride hurt worse.

But beneath the pain and humiliation, something else stirred. Something he had kept buried for three years.

Anger.

Cold, clean anger at being treated like trash. Watching his wife suffer because of his silence, knowing he had the power to change everything but had chosen not to use it.

That choice had been a mistake.

Alex pulled out his phone and scrolled to a number he hadn't called in three years. A number he had sworn never to use unless absolutely necessary.

His thumb hovered over the call button.

Everything would change if he made this call. The quiet life he had built, the test he had set for himself, the chance to know if anyone would love him without his money…all of it would end.

But Nora needed help. And his pride wasn't worth her freedom.

Alex pressed the dial.

The phone rang three times. Then a voice answered, shocked and delighted.

"Mr. Munroe? Is that really you, sir?"

"Hello, Vincent. Yes, it's me."