The Husband With many Identities

Ch 13 - Half The Fortune

Akeel studied Danaya's face.

"What proposal?"

Danaya folded her hands on the table.

"You want the marriage dissolved," she said.

"Yes," Akeel replied. Now his face changed.

"I want the marriage to continue."

Akeel's expression changed but remained calm.

"For how long?" he asked.

"Until my grandmother's condition becomes stable."

Akeel glanced toward the closed doors leading to the healing chamber.

Seraphine's core had only recently recovered. Even with the Core Needles removed, her energy channels remained weak. Chief Healer Odran had warned that another collapse could happen if her emotional state became unstable.

Danaya continued.

"My grandmother believes you are my husband." She said.

"I am not the man she believes I am."

"I know."

That answer caught Akeel's attention.

Danaya's voice remained steady.

"I know you are not my missing fiancé. Rowan confirmed it."

Akeel leaned back.

"Then why do you want me to remain?" He asked.

"Because she does not know that. And if she knew..."

Danaya looked toward the door.

"She spent months waiting for the man she believed would become her grandson-in-law. When he disappeared, her condition worsened. Today, when she saw you, she believed you had finally returned."

Akeel remembered Seraphine's unconscious body. He remembered the dying core. He remembered the ten Core Needles glowing beneath her skin.

Danaya continued.

"If she wakes and learns that the marriage has already ended, the shock could affect her core."

"That is possible." He said.

"I need time." She told him.

Akeel looked back at her.

"How much?" Akeel asked without looking at her.

"I don't know. I cannot give you a fixed number. I know you're smart."

Akeel remained silent.

Danaya pushed the dissolution agreement toward him again.

"Remain married to me until my grandmother is stable. Continue living in the estate. Appear beside me when necessary. You do not need to pretend in private."

"And what do I receive in return?"

Danaya answered without hesitation.

"The same legal share you were about to claim."

Akeel's eyes narrowed slightly.

"All of your income?"

"Half of everything I earn while the marriage continues."

Rowan's face changed.

Cael looked toward Daren.

Neither man spoke.

Danaya continued.

"The marriage seal already recognizes us as husband and wife. As long as it remains active, every new earning that falls under the law will be divided equally."

Akeel understood the offer.

This was not a five-million Energy Credit payment. It was not even the hundreds of millions he could claim from the short period of their marriage.

Danaya was offering him an ongoing share of one of the largest fortunes in Asterra.

Every energy contract.

Every eligible business earning.

Every qualifying payment.

Half would legally belong to him.

Akeel looked at Danaya.

"You are offering me half of your future income?" He asked. But then again, his expression never changed.

"Yes." Danaya replied. "For appearing as my husband. For as long as the marriage stays" She continued.

Akeel glanced at Rowan.

The man's face was almost expressionless. But his eyes revealed enough.

He thought Akeel had just been handed a fortune.

Cael and Daren looked no different.

Akeel returned his attention to Danaya.

"Why are you willing to give away so much?"

"Because my grandmother's life matters more."

Her answer came without hesitation.

Akeel studied her.

That was the first answer she had given him that he believed completely.

Danaya was not bargaining for herself.

She was trying to protect Seraphine.

Akeel understood that.

But understanding her reason did not mean he would accept.

Danaya waited.

She expected him to negotiate.

Perhaps he would demand a larger share. Perhaps he would request additional property. Perhaps he would ask for a permanent residence, a business, or protection from the Valcrest family.

Instead, Akeel simply shook his head.

"No."

Silence filled the room.

Rowan's eyes widened.

Cael stared at Akeel.

Daren looked at Danaya as if waiting for her to correct what he had just heard.

Danaya herself remained still.

"You refuse?" She asked.

"Yes."

"You understand the offer?" She asked again.

"I understand it."

"You would receive half of everything I earn while the marriage continues. You would become one of the wealthiest men in Asterra."

"I heard you." He said.

Akeel looked at her.

"But that is not what I want."

Danaya's expression hardened slightly.

"Then what do you want?"

"My life back." He replied instantly.

The answer was simple.

Akeel looked toward the window.

"My workshop is still closed. My customers are waiting. My life existed before your guards entered my shop."

Danaya said nothing.

Akeel continued.

"I did not come to Asterra to become part of House Valcrest. I did not come here for your wealth. I did not ask to be married." He said.

"I want the marriage dissolved." He continued.

Danaya stared at him.

Akeel reached for the parchment.

"Tomorrow."

Danaya's hand tightened against the table.

"Tomorrow?" She asked with eyes wide open in shock.

"I have work waiting for me in Havenrock."

"You intend to leave immediately?"She asked again.

"Yes."

The room became colder.

Akeel had just been offered half of Danaya Valcrest's future income.

He had refused it.

Not because the amount was too small.

Because he did not want the chain that came with it.

Danaya slowly released the dissolution agreement.

Akeel pulled it toward himself.

He picked up the pen.

Then Danaya spoke.

"Where will you go after the divorce?"

Akeel paused.

"Havenrock. Tomorrow."

"What time?" She asked back.

Akeel looked at the clock.

"I need to catch the noon train."

Danaya's eyes narrowed.

"You have already made arrangements?"

"Yes." He said casually.

"With whom?" She asked.

"My future wife."

Danaya went completely still.