The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 446

hapter 446

“Fiona, I heard you had a quarrel with Nicolas?” Willow felt she had established the right tone and brought up the issue.

Fiona’s hand paused mid–sip, a trace of annoyance crossing her face.

Willow was a married woman, and yet she was meddling in family affairs like this. She was taking herself too seriously.

Since Willow insisted on making things uncomfortable, Fiona decided she wouldn’t hold back. “Where did you hear that?”

Her tone was sharp, more like an interrogation than a question.

Seeing Fiona’s face turn cold, Willow realized she had struck a nerve. But she wasn’t there to gloat. She had come to mediate.

So she smiled and said gently, “Fiona, we’re family. If anything is bothering you, just tell me. If Nicolas upset you, I’ll definitely stand up for you.”

Fiona found Willow’s smile almost unbearable to look at.

If Nicolas hadn’t spoiled Willow endlessly, she wouldn’t have the nerve to say such things now.

Her confidence came from him.

“So how exactly do you plan to stand up for me?” Fiona asked, her tone mocking.

“I’ll slap Nicolas twice, hard. Let’s see if he dares bully you again,” Willow replied with a sweet, playful smile. She thought it was just a small lovers‘ quarrel.

She had no idea that Fiona’s heart had already been shattered by Nicolas.

The more she smiled in front of Fiona, the more repulsed Fiona felt.

Fiona chuckled softly. “You do care for me. Since you know I’ve been wronged and came to stand up for me, I won’t ask for much. Just help me get the divorce papers, and let me take Cedric away from this den of wolves.”

The words “den of wolves” grated harshly on Willow’s ears.

Fiona was cursing not just Nicolas, but Willow as well.

Willow’s smile slowly froze. She spoke with greater weight. “Fiona, what are you saying? Couples argue sometimes. That doesn’t mean you go straight to divorce. Besides, if you do leave, how will you hold your head up in front of others? Gossip alone could drown a person.”

Taking the child and leaving the household. How ridiculous.

Fiona’s smile remained fixed as she challenged, “Didn’t you just say you’d stand up for me?”

Willow was momentarily at a loss for words. She mumbled, “I said I’d help you vent your anger, but I never said I’d help you get divorced.”

Fiona had never expected Willow to be of real help. Her words had only been meant to toy with her.

Seeing Fiona go silent, Willow thought she had struck a chord, and kept pushing. “I don’t mean to meddle, but you really need to think clearly. Don’t let a few careless words from outsiders ruin your relationship with Nicolas.”

She added, “As for who that outsider is, I won’t name names, but I think you know. Think about how Nicolas has treated you

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since you married into this family.”

Fiona’s eyes turned sharp as she stared at Willow. “And who exactly is this outsider you’re talking about? I really don’t understand. What do you know about me and your brother’s problems? Now you’re blaming it all on someone else?”

“Willow, you weren’t this gossipy before. How is it that the moment you get married, you turn into one of those old women gossiping on the street corner?” With that, Fiona lifted her coffee again.

Willow’s eyes widened in shock, part anger, part disbelief.

She had just been scolded by Fiona. Worse, she was being kicked out.

It was as clear a dismissal as it could be.

“Fiona, are you kicking me out?” Willow’s face turned pale with anger. She had come in good faith to help, and this was what she got in return.

Fiona’s expression didn’t change. “Was I not obvious enough? Then let me make it clear. You’re not welcome here. Don’t come into my courtyard again.”