His jaw was clenched so tight it seemed it might crack, and the way he stared at Edwin was like he was looking at an enemy.
Aella quietly turned her gaze away.
She knew the history. Years ago, Edwin had broken him and Zera apart.
Zera left the country for six years and gave birth to Tyrone’s son out of wedlock. To protect his reputation and keep the family name clean, Tyrone refused to divorce Aella.
To protect his reputation and the family’s image, Tyrone refused to divorce.
But that choice made the woman he loved a side chick, and their son was labeled illegitimate.
No wonder Tyrone’s hatred ran deep.
“Look at you,” Ralph’s voice cut through the silence. “The daughter-in-law of the Winters working as a lowly assistant in a hospital. What do you think outsiders will say about us?”
Aella snapped back to the moment. She opened her mouth to explain, but Tyrone spoke first, gripping her hand tightly.
“Dad, I’m the one who told Aella to take that job. If you have a problem, take it out on me.”
Edwin slammed his cane against the floor, the sound echoing sharply. “Quit immediately. If you want to work, work in our company.”
Tyrone’s reply was firm. “Aella studied medicine. What role could she possibly play in our company?”
“Then she doesn’t have to do anything,” Edwin snapped. “She can just sit there and look pretty.”
Aella let out a quiet, bitter laugh in her heart.
So it wasn’t just Tyrone who treated her like a trophy wife.
Even the elders saw her as nothing more than a faded heiress to be put on display.
Tyrone stood tall in the living room, refusing to back down. He spoke firmly, “All of you, please stay out of my marriage.”
Edwin’s face turned dark with fury. “Bring me the whip!”
Ralph pointed toward his son and roared at Justin, “What are you waiting for? Go!”
Justin hurried out without a word.
Virginia, realizing the situation had gone too far, tried to calm things down. “Edwin, they’re young. If they want to work hard, isn’t that a good thing? Maybe-“
“Shut your mouth!” Ralph barked, cutting her off.
“You’re a woman; what do you know?”
Virginia fell silent immediately.
Aella stood there quietly, holding back the words she wanted to say.
She had been married into this family for three years. She knew exactly how the household worked.
Even though Edwin was old, he still ruled the family. His word was law-no one dared to question him.
Ralph, loyal to his father, never defied him and was harsh with Tyrone.
Virginia was the only one with a kind heart, but she had no real say in anything.
As for Tyrone and his sister Raine-they might have been powerful outside, but at home, they were obedient, disciplined, and always respectful to their elders.
Meanwhile, Aella, the fallen heiress of a once-wealthy family, had even less of a place.
Tyrone was the heir Edwin and Ralph had molded with their own hands.
In so many ways, he was just like them.
If Tyrone hadn’t cheated, he never would’ve let Aella go to work. He only allowed it to calm her down, afraid she would cause a scene.
Justin came over with a whip in his hand. He walked up to Tyrone and spoke with a shaking voice, “Mr. Tyrone, please just admit your mistake and apologize to Mr. Edwin.”
He glanced sideways at Aella. Then he gently pushed her aside, took a step forward, and stood before Edwin.
“Hit him,” Ralph ordered coldly. Keep going until he admits fault.”
Justin had no choice. He gritted his teeth and raised the whip.
Aella turned her face away.
The sound of the whip cracking through the air echoed in the silent living room, followed by Tyrone’s muffled groans of pain.
After several strikes, Virginia was the first to break. Tears filled her eyes. “Edwin, that’s enough! Don’t hurt him anymore.”
Aella, who had been silent this whole time, finally spoke up. “Edwin, if you don’t want me working and embarrassing the family, I might have a solution.”
If she could use this chance to make Edwin agree to the divorce, that would be perfect.
Justin quickly lowered the whip and stepped back.
Aella’s eyes lingered on Tyrone’s torn and bleeding back. “If you’ll allow me to divorce your grandson, then I-“
“Aella!” Tyrone snapped, grabbing her wrist before she could finish.
Edwin’s sharp eyes moved back and forth between them. “You want a divorce?”
Tyrone quickly spoke up, “Grandpa, no. We don’t.”
Aella pulled her hand free and hesitated for a moment.
Before she could say anything, Tyrone grabbed her by the arm and pulled her close.
His face was pale, and his tone carried a warning. “At home, you can argue with me all you want, but keep it together before my family.”
Aella lowered her head and stayed quiet.
Tyrone wasn’t worried about her bringing up divorce. He was terrified she’d mention Zera and her child.
Virginia quickly stepped forward to smooth things over. “Edwin, that’s enough. He’s already been punished, and they both know they were wrong. Let Tyrone go upstairs, and Aella can clean his wounds. The shareholders’ meeting is next Monday; we can’t let Tyrone fall sick.”
Edwin wasn’t done with Aella. “You have one week to quit your job,” he said sternly. “If you don’t, I’ll call the hospital director myself.”
Aella’s anger finally broke through. “I married into this family, not sold myself to it. I have every right to work if I want to.”
Edwin let out a bitter laugh and tore open her old wounds. “When your family went bankrupt, your parents and brother were so poor they were nearly living in shelters. If Tyrone hadn’t paid off your family’s debts, do you think you’d be standing here today?”
Aella’s voice was firm. “I owe your grandson. But I don’t owe you.”
Edwin’s face darkened. “You’ll admit it whether you like it or not. Everything Tyrone has comes from this family!”
She started to argue again, but Tyrone grabbed her and pulled her upstairs before she could say another word.
Upstairs in the main bedroom, Virginia set the first-aid kit on the table. “Tyrone’s back is badly hurt. He might even run a fever tonight. You two should stay here at the estate so we can take care of him.”
Aella didn’t try to argue. She just helped him sit on the edge of the bed.
His injury had come from protecting her, after all. And with tomorrow being her day off, it didn’t matter where she stayed.
Once Virginia and Raine left, Aella quietly closed the door and walked back to Tyrone. She stepped over to help Tyrone take off his jacket.
Tyrone’s face darkened. He caught her hand midair, his grip firm.
“Why did you bring up divorce in front of Grandpa?” he asked coldly.
The sudden question froze her movements. After a pause, Aella spoke in a steady, calm voice.
“Because I want to give you and your family what you want.”
Tyrone’s eyes locked on hers for several seconds before he answered. “If that’s really how you want to see it, then fine. But let me remind you, you don’t get to decide whether we get a divorce.”
Her reply was faint, almost an indifferent grunt. She slid his suit jacket off his shoulders.
She still owed him a billion dollars.
And as he always said, he was a businessman, and he never made deals that lost money.
If she couldn’t pay him back, there was no way he’d just let her walk away.
The air between them grew heavier with every second. Both of their faces were tight, cold, and unreadable.
Tyrone sat on the edge of the bed, eyes lowered, his expression so dark she couldn’t tell what he was really thinking.
Aella stared at the angry welts across his back. Her brows tightened in pain for him.
It wasn’t the first time he’d taken lashes for her. The first had been when he insisted on marrying her.
Back then, the elders didn’t approve. They thought she was nothing more than a fallen rich girl with nothing left to offer. They said she’d hold him back, couldn’t boost his career, and only drag him down.
More Kickass Romance Reads
Dive into irresistible romance stories packed with possessive heroes, forbidden passion, billionaire obsession, mafia intrigue, and heart-stopping twists. One chapter is never enough—your next addiction starts here.