The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 438

Chapter 438

As much as it pained her, she had no choice.

Just as Nicolas was stuck in a dilemma, a sharp voice rang out from outside the door. “What is all this nonsense?”

Eloise burst in with a group of maids and matrons.

She strode quickly into the room, first going to Nicolas. Seeing the red slap mark on his face, she was furious. “As the wife, how dare you strike your husband? You are utterly…”

She stopped mid–sentence.

She saw the blood on Fiona’s face and the wound on her forehead.

“How did you get hurt?” Eloise asked, puzzled.

Sirena rushed forward, pressing a cloth to Fiona’s injury, heartbroken. “Madam, how could you be hurt like this? Even though you’re not from a noble family, the master and madam treated you like a treasure when they married you in.”

“If they saw this, their hearts would break.”

Sirena’s wailing made Eloise frown. This servant was getting bold.

She thought, ‘How dare she insinuate that duke’s estate mistreats Fiona?‘

“Outrageous!” Eloise scolded harshly, her tone ice–cold. “You’re a servant! How dare you sow discord and slander Henry’s household? You deserve death.”

Sirena fell to her knees in fear. Fiona shielded her and said flatly, “What wrong did she commit? Did she not speak the truth? Henry’s family is a household of scholars, yet your actions are utterly shameful. A husband striking his wife. You’d be hard- pressed to find many such cases even among the nobles.”

As she spoke, Fiona stared directly at Nicolas.

His expression was cold, his jaw clenched tightly.

Eloise inhaled sharply. Now she finally saw that something was off with Fiona.

This usually meek daughter–in–law now spoke with razor–sharp words.

That tone, that gaze was exactly like Athena.

Eloise thought bitterly, ‘What sin has our duke’s estate committed to be cursed with two such ungrateful vipers?‘

Though inwardly displeased, she had to temper her tone given that Nicolas was at fault. She softened and tried to coax Fiona, “I’m sure he didn’t mean it. Why must you cling to this matter? Couples fight all the time.”

She took off her bracelet and tried to slip it into Fiona’s hand. “You’re both parents now. You should learn to give way. A man values his pride. Even if you’re upset, you mustn’t slap him. I’ve raised Nicolas all these years without ever lifting a finger against him.”

Fiona replied calmly, “A mother has every right to dote on her son. But I’m not his mother.”

Eloise was stunned. “You…”

1/2

Chapter 438

She never imagined this quiet daughter–in–law would say something so brazen.

But Fiona didn’t care how outrageous her words sounded. She had endured enough. From now on, she would not endure anything ever again.

Fiona said, “Lady Eloise, you came at the perfect time. Please bear witness. Have Nicolas write the mutual separation agreement.”

“Mutual separation?” Eloise was shocked, finally noticing the divorce letter on the table.

She had thought it was just a lovers‘ quarrel. She hadn’t expected it to escalate like this.

Furious, she tore the divorce letter to shreds and slammed her palm on the table.

Eloise said, “This is utter nonsense. You’ve only been married a year, and you’re already talking about separating. Do you want to become a laughingstock?”

She added, “Can’t you sit down and talk things through? Must you resort to such extreme measures?”

She turned to Nicolas, her tone heavier. “Nicolas, you’ve always been steady and mature. Even if you’re angry, you should know your limits. How could you push your own wife?”

Nicolas stayed silent, his face cold. He had never actually intended to separate.

It was just Fiona making a mountain out of a molehill, embarrassing him.

Since Eloise wanted to smooth things over, he wouldn’t argue.

She said, “Fiona, you’ve always been gentle and well–mannered. Even if Nicolas has made mistakes, you should be the one to compromise. How could you speak of separation so easily? Look at it another way. Have you done nothing wrong yourself?”