Chapter 16 (+25 Bonus)

Barrett wandered outside, attempting to borrow money from acquaintances. He only managed to secure a thousand silver coins, far short of the over ten thousand needed for betrothal gifts and the wedding party.

He could easily have borrowed twenty or thirty thousand from prestigious families; his recent victory made him a rising star at court, with many eager to curry favor. But he couldn't bring himself to do it. Borrowing such a sum felt awkward and sensitive; he wished to preserve his dignity.

After much deliberation, he decided borrowing from Carissa might be less humiliating than asking others.

On his way home, he saw Bryan riding toward him. Before his brother could speak, Bryan exclaimed, "Barrett, hurry home! Your wife is driving Mother to her death!"

Hearing Carissa was causing trouble again, Barrett sighed irritably. "What has she done now?"

"She told Sebastian not to treat Mother anymore," Bryan explained.

"There are many physicians in the capital. If Sebastian won't come, we'll find another. If that fails, I'll ask for the royal physicians' help," Barrett replied, unconcerned.

To Barrett, Carissa's actions revealed her true character. She had interfered with his mother's health, employing despicable and cunning methods to hurt others. She was unlike Aurora, who was always straightforward and honest.

Bryan urgently added, "That won't work. Mother fell ill shortly after you left for the expedition. Carissa did invite some royal physicians, but they couldn't alleviate her condition; it worsened. Later, she secured Sebastian, who prescribed expensive pills that saved Mother's life and gradually improved her condition."

Barrett's eyes flashed with anger. "She's trying to force my hand by threatening Mother's life."

Bryan nodded. "Exactly. She went to the palace to plead with His Majesty. When he refused to rescind the marriage edict, she resorted to this to pressure you into abandoning your marriage with General Yates. That woman is evil."

Barrett immediately spurred his horse home, heading straight for Grace Mansion. As a general, he possessed formidable combat skills; the gates couldn't stop him. He kicked open the doors and stormed in to find his wife enjoying a bowl of watercress soup—freshly made by Lulu using watercress she'd picked to calm Carissa's nerves.

With one hand, Barrett swept away the porcelain bowl, sending it crashing to the floor. "Carissa!" he gritted. "Will you ever stop? How far will you take this?"

Carissa calmly looked at the broken bowl and spilled soup, seeming only to regret Lulu's wasted effort. "Lulu, clean up the broken pieces and soup. I need to speak with the general. You don't have to stay."

Lulu fetched a broom and obeyed before leaving.

Carissa looked up at her furious husband. "Is this about Sebastian?"

"You still have the nerve to ask?!" Barrett spat.

Carissa smiled, her beauty captivating. "Why wouldn't I? You should ask yourselves why Sebastian refuses to treat your mother. Perhaps you should examine your own conduct."

Barrett retorted coldly, "Stop pretending. You stopped Sebastian. You're using this to blackmail me into not marrying Aurora. You're despicable. Even if I don't marry Aurora, I won't treat you any better. You disgust me. If I had known you were so manipulative and wicked, I would never have married you. I deeply regret it. I must have been blind."

"Then why don't you divorce me?" Carissa asked, looking up at him.

Barrett was caught off guard. "What?"

Carissa stood, mockery evident on her beautiful face. "Since I disgust you so much, why don't you divorce me? If you love Aurora so deeply and want to be with her, then I'm useless to you. Since you dislike me, why don't you divorce me?"

"I" Barrett hesitated.

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Divorce her? He would never do that.

Carissa took another step closer, her expression still mocking. "Is it because you don't have a reason to divorce me? I can give you plenty. I'm jealous, disobedient, useless, and wicked. I speak out of turn and argue with my elders. Any one of these reasons is enough for you to divorce me."

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