Chapter 12: Step In and Set You Straight
The hall was filled with high-ranking officials, both from the government and the military, gathered to pay their respects to Lazarus Quinn.
Everyone present knew how much Lazarus cherished Selene.
So when they didn’t see her, the murmurs began to spread.
“Why isn’t Selene here?”
Zephyr Calloway, ever the master of deception, let out a heavy sigh. He wore his role of concerned father with ease, shaking his head with a practiced look of disappointment.
“She’s grown up now,” he muttered, just loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Does her own thing.”
Then, in a tone that suggested fatherly exhaustion, he added, “But hey, thank you all for coming.”
The guests, assuming Selene was simply sulking, nodded in understanding.
Selene’s Breaking Point
Outside, Selene stood at the doorway, fists clenched, seething with rage.
This was her grandfather’s funeral—the one person who had truly loved her—and Zephyr had the audacity to shut her out?
Her anger burned hotter, reaching its boiling point.
She was seconds away from storming in, ready to tear Zephyr apart in front of everyone—
When suddenly—
A warm, steady hand slipped into hers.
The touch was calming, grounding her like a steady anchor in a storm.
She didn’t even have to look to know who it was.
“I’ll go in with you.”
Caspian’s voice was smooth and low, wrapping around her like a quiet promise.
His deep, velvety tone had always had a way of soothing her, even when she didn’t want it to.
For a moment, she almost pulled away.
But then—
She let him guide her inside.
Without a word.
Their hands still entwined.
The Room Takes Notice
The moment Caspian stepped in, conversations halted.
Heads turned sharply, drawn to his presence like a gravitational force.
His voice, when he finally spoke, was light and pleasant.
“I’m sorry we’re late. Work had me tied up.”
The murmurs began immediately.
Caspian Vale had arrived.
The youngest colonel in the room.
A man who had soared through the ranks in just two short years.
No longer just ‘Dorian Vale’s son.’
No.
He had carved out his own name, his own reputation.
The officials greeted him with admiration, their voices respectful.
“Mr. Vale!”
“Colonel Vale!”
Even Zephyr, the man who had been so eager to erase Selene from the family, was forced to acknowledge Caspian’s presence.
His forced smile barely hid the flicker of confusion in his eyes.
What the hell is Caspian doing?
Celestia had told him that Caspian wanted a divorce.
So why was he here now, holding Selene’s hand like she was still his world?
Zephyr wasn’t the only one watching closely.
The entire Carter family was on edge.
After all, Caspian had arrived with Lyra today.
And while Lyra had tried to hide it, the subtle curve of her slightly bulging belly hadn’t gone unnoticed.
The conclusion was obvious.
Caspian was planning to divorce Selene.
Lazarus’s unexpected passing had only accelerated their plans.
Because if Selene and Caspian divorced, she would be powerless.
With no Vale name to back her up, the Carter family could block her from inheriting a single cent of Lazarus’s wealth.
They wouldn’t let her win.
A Funeral Turned Battlefield
After Lazarus was finally laid to rest, the guests began to filter out.
The hushed conversations faded, but tension lingered in the air.
Selene, still wiping away tears, turned just in time to see an older relative approaching.
A loud, overbearing uncle.
One she never liked.
His voice carried through the space, cutting through the solemn atmosphere like a blade.
“Selene, Lazarus’s sudden illness and passing—it’s all because of your reckless behavior.”
Selene stilled.
Her eyes, still red from crying, lifted sharply to meet his.
“Now that he’s gone,” he continued, his voice dripping with arrogance, “it’s up to us—your elders—to step in and set you straight.”
The words sent a chill down Selene’s spine.
Step in?
Set her straight?
Her grip on the funeral program tightened.
She wiped away the last traces of her tears, straightened her back, and faced him head-on.
“And how exactly do you plan on doing that?”
Her voice was steady.
But her gaze was like a knife.
Caspian Steps In
Caspian, standing close by, noticed the shift in her posture.
Without a word, he moved slightly in front of her.
It was subtle—a quiet but undeniable act of protection.
The uncle, oblivious, barely spared Caspian a glance.
Instead, he plastered on a fake smile, clearly trying to gain favor with him.
Then, turning back to Selene, he added with mock sympathy—
“Now that Mr. Vale wants a divorce, it’s time you let go. You’ve been hanging on to him for years—it’s time to grow up.”
The room froze.
Then—
Caspian’s voice cut through the air like ice.
“Who told you I wanted a divorce?”
The uncle stammered, taken completely off guard.
His eyes flickered toward Lyra, who stood not far off, then back to Caspian.
“Mr. Vale, your mother… she spoke to Lazarus and said…”
His voice wavered.
“She said you wanted a divorce. Isn’t that true?”
A Battle for Control
The mention of Celestia made Selene flinch.
Her fingers tightened for a brief moment before she instinctively tried to pull her hand away from Caspian’s.
That was when she realized—
He had been holding her hand the entire time.
His grip had been unyielding.
And now, after so long, their palms were slick with sweat.
She tried to pull away.
But Caspian’s grip only tightened.
His fingers locked around hers with quiet, firm resolve.
Then, with calm but absolute finality, he spoke.
“First of all, I had no idea my mother ever spoke to the commander.
Secondly…“
His gaze swept the room before landing directly on Zephyr.
“I decide what happens in my marriage.
And I am not divorcing Selene.”
A heavy silence settled over the room.
No one dared to speak.
Then, Caspian took it one step further.
“Since I’m Selene’s husband, that makes me part of this family.
If any of you have something—anything—to say about her,
You can come to me.
Anytime.”
His words were not a request.
They were a warning.
And in that moment—
The entire Carter family realized one thing.
They had seriously underestimated Caspian Vale.
