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17. Explanation

September 2026,
Ovzdusia, Soare-Luna Kingdom

Katerina

"I suppose I owe you guys an explanation," I said as I looked at my family.

"No, you don't." Konstantin gave me a comforting smile. "As long as you're happy, we're happy, Kate."

Mother shot him a look and totally ignored what he said. She looked at me and started airing her face with her hands, trying to dry out her non-existent tears. "I just don't understand why you would do this to me! What have I ever done to you? Why are you acting out like this? This was your wedding, Kate! Wedding! To Felix Richardson!"

With the way she was acting, you would assume that she had been the one who was left at the altar.

"I mean, where are you going to find a guy better than him? Who could possibly love you more than him? How are you going to find a family better than the Richardsons?" Mother went on, her face a perfect mix of exasperation and distress.

"Thanks for your vote of confidence and your support, Mother, but I don't need it," I told her. She mumbled something under her breath and then turned her face away, dabbing under her eyes.

Ignoring her theatrics, I focused on my family again.

Dad was standing with his hand resting on Darla, his wife's back. Darla. Oh, God. She had no idea that her daughter was alive. I wondered when Alya would come clean to everyone. Whenever it was, it was her decision to make and I didn't want to interfere with what was clearly a topic of debate. I was done making other people's decisions for them.

Konstantin was standing close to Cassandra but not close enough. They clearly had yet to resolve their issues. William was sitting next to Mother, trying to calm her down. Always the mamma's boy. He never really saw her for who she was. I wondered if he was truly blind when it came to her wrongdoings or if he simply ignored them. I wondered which was worse.

I need to focus on the matter at hand.

"Well, to give you guys a gist of what happened, I had rejected Felix when he first proposed to me. So Louise altered the contract I had signed with her for the firm, used it to blackmail me, and got me to accept Felix's proposal. I had no proof and I was put in a tough spot."

"I can't believe this. How dare she?!" Dad looked pissed. "You should have come to me the moment she tried to force your hand. I would have dealt with Louise. Van Acker style."

"Yeah. We could have helped, Kate," Will added, looking enraged at what happened and a bit upset that I hadn't told anyone about it.

"It was my mess and I wanted to deal with it my way," I simply replied. "And it is dealt with. I'm not marrying anyone anytime soon."

"You can do it your way but the Richardsons need to be put in their place. I'll see what I can do." Dad looked enough pissed to actually go out of his way and hand out some well-deserved karma.

"Not gonna stop you." I shrugged. Felix had remained quiet and watched his mother walk all over me. I would return the favor.

"Very well then. I'll see what I can do." Dad smiled a villainous smile and Darla turned worried.

"How did you get out of the contract?" Mother asked.

"I have my ways." I smiled innocently. "Louise is not going to be an issue anymore."

"You think she is bad but I can sympathize with her, you know? I have a son too. And I want him to have everything he wants." She put a hand on Will's back and gave him a sweet, motherly smile.