The Bride Widow
Chapter 181 - 179: 48 hours alert - Part 2

Chapter 181: 179: 48 hours alert - Part 2

The next morning, Anabella awoke to the sound of a firm knock at her door. She wasn’t expecting anyone, and the persistent knocking made her heart race.

As she peered through the peephole, she saw a well-dressed man standing outside, his demeanor calm but determined. Her heart sank when he introduced himself as Daniel’s lawyer.

"I’m here to discuss some important matters regarding the divorce," the man said, his voice steady but firm.

Anabella hesitated. She didn’t feel comfortable letting an unknown beta into her home, especially under these circumstances. "I think it’s best if we discuss this somewhere else," she said, trying to keep her voice polite but firm. "Perhaps at a cafe?"

The lawyer gave a slight nod. "That’s fine by me. Lead the way."

Anabella quickly grabbed her coat and led the way to a small, quiet cafe down the street. She could feel the tension in the air, her mind racing with what could possibly warrant a visit from Daniel’s lawyer so early in the morning.

Once they were seated with coffee in front of them, the lawyer opened a sleek black folder and took out a few sheets of paper. "My client," he began, referring to Daniel, "is seeking an adjustment to the financial terms of your divorce settlement."

Anabella’s brow furrowed. "An adjustment?"

"Yes," the lawyer continued. "Given the circumstances, Daniel believes that additional financial support is warranted. He feels that his current allotment isn’t sufficient to maintain his standard of living, especially considering James’ needs."

Anabella took a deep breath, her fingers tightening around the coffee cup. "I didn’t mind supporting James, but I thought the terms we agreed on were fair. Now he wants more?"

The lawyer’s tone remained professional. "Mr. Daniel is simply trying to ensure stability for himself and his son during this transition."

Anabella felt a surge of irritation. It wasn’t just the request; it was the timing and the way Daniel kept shifting his stance. One minute, he was pleading for her to come back and make things work; the next, he was sending his lawyer to demand more money. The inconsistency was maddening.

"I’ve done everything I can to make this process as smooth as possible," Anabella said, her voice controlled but edged with frustration. "I’ve been more than generous in supporting James and ensuring he has everything he needs. But it seems Daniel wants to have it both ways—asking me to come back and now demanding more money."

The lawyer adjusted his glasses, his expression unreadable. "I understand this is a sensitive issue. However, my client is within his rights to request a review of the financial agreement, given the change in his circumstances."

Anabella wanted to laugh at the irony. Change in circumstances? Daniel’s life had always been a rollercoaster of demands and shifting moods.

She leaned back, taking a moment to compose herself. "And what exactly does he expect me to do? Keep funding his lifestyle while he tries to figure out what he really wants?"

The lawyer paused before replying. "Mr. Daniel believes that with your continued support, both he and James can have the stability they need."

"And what about my stability?" Anabella shot back, her patience wearing thin. "I’ve been the one holding things together, not the other way around."

The lawyer’s expression softened slightly, as if he realized the strain this was putting on her. "I’m just the messenger, Ms. Anabella. I’m here to present his request and see if we can come to an agreement without dragging this into a prolonged legal battle."

Anabella sighed, rubbing her temples. She was exhausted from the emotional toll this entire situation had taken on her. "I’ll consider it," she finally said, her tone weary. "But I need some time to think. I can’t just keep bending over backwards every time Daniel changes his mind."

The lawyer nodded. "That’s fair. I’ll relay your response to Mr. Daniel. We can schedule another meeting to discuss this further if necessary."

Anabella stood up, signaling the end of the conversation. "Thank you for meeting me here instead of my home. I appreciate it."

The lawyer gave a courteous nod and packed up his papers. "Of course. I’ll be in touch."

As Anabella walked back to her apartment, her mind was a whirlwind of emotions. She felt cornered, as though no matter how much she gave, it was never enough for Daniel.

Her patience was wearing thin, but she knew she had to keep her composure, for her own sake and for James’. The prospect of another round of negotiations was draining, but she reminded herself that she needed to stand firm.

Back at her apartment, she sat down and stared at the blank wall for a long time, thinking about the constant back and forth.

The sense of being manipulated was suffocating, but she also knew she couldn’t let it break her. She had come too far to let Daniel’s whims derail her life.

As the day went on, Anabella resolved to seek advice from her own lawyer, someone who could provide her with a clearer perspective and help her protect her interests.

She couldn’t afford to be swayed by Daniel’s ever-changing demands. This time, she would be prepared to fight for what was fair and reasonable.

______

Daniel’s mother paced the living room, her heels clicking sharply against the polished wooden floor. The lawyer had just arrived, and she didn’t waste any time. "How did it go?" she asked, her tone brisk and filled with expectation.

The lawyer, ever composed, set his briefcase down gently and met her gaze. "Not well, I’m afraid," he admitted. "Anabella said she would ’think about it,’ which is often a polite way of declining."

Daniel’s mother’s eyes narrowed, her lips pressing into a thin line. "So, she’s not going to agree," she said, more as a statement than a question.

"It’s unlikely," the lawyer replied. "She seemed irritated by the request, and I doubt she’ll come around without significant pressure."

For a moment, there was silence. Then, without warning, Daniel’s mother grabbed a porcelain cup from the table and hurled it against the wall with a crash. The sound reverberated through the room, startling even the lawyer, who rarely displayed emotion.

James, who had just walked into the room with his small, curious eyes, froze at the sound of the shattering porcelain. His face drained of color, and his lower lip quivered slightly. "Grandma?" he asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper, eyes wide with fear.

Daniel’s mother turned sharply at the sound of her grandson’s voice, her expression softening instantly. The sight of James, scared and uncertain, pulled her out of her anger. She waved a hand at the lawyer, dismissing him. "Leave us," she instructed, her tone gentler but firm.

The lawyer gathered his things without a word, bowing his head slightly before stepping out of the room, leaving the shattered remains of the cup and the lingering tension behind.

Daniel’s mother walked over to James, kneeling down so that she was at his eye level. She reached out, placing a soft hand on his shoulder. "I’m sorry, sweetheart. I didn’t mean to scare you," she said gently, her voice soothing.

James looked down, shifting uncomfortably. "Why were you so mad, Grandma?"

She sighed, pulling him into a gentle hug. "Sometimes, grown-ups get frustrated when things don’t go the way they want. But that’s no excuse to scare you like that. I’m really sorry."

James nodded slowly, his small hands clutching the fabric of her blouse. "It’s okay," he whispered, but his voice was still shaky.

Daniel’s mother pulled back slightly, brushing his hair away from his face. "You’re such a brave boy," she said with a soft smile. "Why don’t we go and play something fun? Would you like that?"

James nodded again, this time with a hint of a smile. "Can we play outside?"

"Of course," she replied, standing up and holding out her hand for him to take. "Let’s get some fresh air."

As they walked towards the garden, Daniel’s mother couldn’t help but think about the situation with Anabella.

She hated feeling powerless, especially when it came to her son and grandson. But at that moment, comforting James was far more important than any legal battle. For now, she would focus on making sure James felt safe and loved, even if everything else felt like it was falling apart.

James walked alongside his grandmother, his small hand wrapped in hers, but his mind was swirling with confusion.

He loved her, but seeing her sudden burst of anger unsettled him. He didn’t like feeling scared of her, especially when she was usually so kind.

James wondered if he should talk to his father about it or if he should keep it to himself. He didn’t want to cause any more trouble, but the conflicting emotions weighed heavily on his young heart.

Should he trust his grandmother’s comforting words, or was there more to her anger than she let on?