A Fight For Freedom

As soon as her clothes were delivered, she placed them on the bed and went to freshen up. Once done, she picked up her phone attempting to call Jace about her car when her eyes landed on something.

The world seemed to spin as the onslaught of notifications came rolling in. Her heart sank as she scrolled through the trending news articles, photos, and rumours all swirling around Nicholas and her, their broken relationship, and the games they played.

Images of Nicholas and Cristal, blurred and elusive, along with pictures of Jace and her flooded the screen.

Her mind raced, trying to make sense of the chaos unfolding before her eyes.

"Tsk, these bastards," she cussed out loud. With a sense of urgency, she hastily changed into the beautiful light purple gown that Jace had gotten for her and rushed to the hospital where her grandfather lay.

As she entered his ward, she was met with the unsettling sight of her uncle, Ray, wearing a devious grin.

"Hello, Kiera. Welcome," Ray announced, his smile broadening.

Something about his expression sent a chill down her spine, and she couldn't shake the feeling that his involvement had contributed to the overwhelming rumours.

Summoning all the composure she could muster, she walked toward her grandfather's bedside, the weight of the situation hanging heavily upon her.

Ignoring her Uncle, she breathed out sharply and averted her gaze to her grandfather.

Reaching for his hand, Kiera greeted. "Hello, gramps."

Van Campbell, her grandfather and the current president of the Campbell Group, gazed at her with eyes that held both concern and disappointment.

Although he owned and ruled the company, being hospitalized placed him in a difficult condition where his brother had to take the reins of the company.

Still, having to hear the news of his granddaughter's failed marriage from outside made his heart clench.

Just looking at him, Kiera could sense the weight of his question before he even spoke but she did not want to grant her uncle the satisfaction of seeing her fail, that he craved.

"What has happened between you and Nicholas, Kiera?" he asked, his tone serious just like the wrinkle lines on his forehead.

"I initially opposed your decision to save the Relish Group, but you insisted. You claimed you love him, Kiera. You fought so hard to bring our families together, and now... this."

She lowered her head, unable to stare into his eyes. "How could your marriage turn into this sham? You and he are what... seeing other people?"

Her mind raced, desperately searching for the right words. How could she explain the crumbling facade of her marriage without further upsetting her grandfather?

The decline of the Campbell legacy had, in many ways, begun with her ill-fated union with Nicholas.

Saying she wanted to leave now was being stupid considering all that went down for her.

"Kiera?"

She wanted to speak but hesitated, unsure of how to proceed. Just as the silence threatened to suffocate them, the door to his hospital room burst open revealing Nicholas's mother, Diana.

Her eyes betrayed a mix of shock and concern as she took in the scene. Similarly all head snapped in her direction, accessing her as she walked in. She had seen the news, but she was adamant about preventing their divorce.

Left to Diana, she believed Cristal was only fit to be Nicholas's mistress and that her background didn't match their family's status as compared to Kiera whose family was strong enough to save them when they were in crisis.

"Diana."

Diana gulped as she managed a weak smile at Van. Quickly, Kiera greeted her and shot a pleading glance at Diana, silently begging her to remain silent.

But it was too late. The madam of the Relish Group was not ready to lose them as in-laws.

The truth hung heavy in the air as her grandfather, Van, pieced together the puzzle.

He realized that she had been keeping something from him, something that may taken a toll on his well-being. Not wanting his granddaughter to suffer because of him, Van smiled at her, letting his gaze settle on her lovely face.

His surprise had mingled with a newfound understanding.

"Kiera," Van spoke with a mixture of firmness and compassion.

"Whatever decision you wish to make, my dear, do it. You have your grandfather's undivided support."

"What?!" Diana blurted out unexpectedly. The weight of Van's words lifted a burden from Kiera's shoulders. For so long, she had carried the weight of familial expectations and the burden of her own heartache.

And now, in this moment of clarity, she found solace in her grandfather's unwavering support.

Diana, on the other hand, wore a look of disbelief and frustration.

"Van, you cannot say this. How can you support the divorce that is about to happen between our kids?"

"You said?"

Both Kiera and Diana blinked back their shock. He had not known exactly what she wanted to do but he supported her.

"Van," Diana began and moved closer to the other side of his bed.

Her eyes darted towards Kiera and she brought back her attention to him.

"Think about our families, this would be detrimental to Relish and Campbell family's reputation. We cannot let the divorce go through."

"Diana, I am sorry but my mind is made up," Kiera explained.

Van couldn't fathom why she had fallen in love with Nicholas in the first place nor why she had endured the unhappiness that came with their marriage.

But now, as the truth unfolded, he offered her an unexpected reprieve.

"No. Not if I can help it. Van I strongly disagree and.." Diana's words hung on her lips the second Van's stern gaze met with hers.

"Might I remind you, Diana, respect is not something that can be masked or hidden by a carefully constructed facade? Do not think you can pressure my granddaughter," his voice came off stern and strict.

"Grandfather," Kiera called out as she pressed his hand reassuringly.

"Kiera, If you are unhappy, then I support your decision to pursue a divorce. Your well-being matters more to me than our family's reputation."

"Yes, grandfather."

"And Diana, before fighting for reputation, shouldn't one's child's well-being come first? Also, I should take it up with Relish family as to why your son has left my daughter in a painful marriage and hurt her to the point of her filing for divorce."

At the mention of being blamed, Diana shook her head quickly to plead her cause.