Addison sat comfortably on their family's private plane and pouted continuously.
"Where are you taking me?" Addison asked Nathaniel.
"Dalton isn't able to visit you because he has a fashion show in Madrid, and father wanted to show you his latest acquisition," Nathaniel said.
Addison rolled her eyes at her brother. "Show-off!"
"Not necessarily. You were gone for two years. We didn't know where you were, just married," Nathaniel said, resting his chin on his hand.
"Sir, we are ready for take-off," said the captain.
Addison sat comfortably and looked out the window.
She missed traveling in general because, for the past two years, all she did was stay at home or go to museums or the mall, watch TV, and wait for her next blood draw.
The moment they reached cruising altitude, Nathaniel sat beside his sister and asked, "Really, how are you, Addison?"
"I guess I owe you all an explanation," Addison said, taking a few pieces of grapes from the fruit basket.
"It's not that," Nathaniel said, looking at her seriously. "What drove you to get married? You had the money," he added.
"I felt lost when mother died. I thought about wallowing, overcompensating by saving a life, hoping to fall in love as well," Addison answered frankly.
"So you fell in love with him?" Nathaniel asked.
"I liked him, sure. I thought he was someone presentable to introduce to father since he came from the same social status, you know?" Addison popped another grape in her mouth.
Nathaniel tried to size up his youngest sister, but the alpha knew she was getting uncomfortable.
Addison sat up. "Can we not talk about it? I mean, yes, I know I screwed up. Can I just move on?"
"Sure. What are you thinking of?" Nathaniel asked curiously.
"Oh, I was thinking of continuing my master's at London College of Fashion," she responded. "Since I want to be in charge of our global retail division, it would be an awesome endeavor," Addison smiled at her brother.
"Then you'll come back to us?" Nathaniel asked.
"Well, yeah, that's okay, right? I mean, spend eighteen months abroad for school and maybe come back to you after a couple of years?"
"Let's see what father thinks, shall we?" Nathaniel snickered. "You are suddenly becoming too eager."
"You asked, and I answered. Besides, my brain has stagnated for far too long now," Addison looked outside the window, appreciating the big puffy clouds as they jetted through the sky.
"Hey, Addie," Nathaniel said.
Addison turned her head and looked at her brother.
"I am glad to see you and have you back," he said as he stood up and hugged her.
"Me too," Addison nodded. "It was a foolish and immature decision."
Addison looked at her arm and noticed the faint needle marks. They would disappear in time, and so would her past.
She leaned back against her headrest and closed her eyes. At least right now, she was happy that Williams really didn't know who Addison Powers really was.
---
Williams paced in his office the next morning as one of his attorneys, Amir, spoke to him on the phone.
"Amir, tell me, what do you mean that there is no Addison with the physical descriptors I provided you?" Williams demanded.
"Do you have a picture of her?" Amir asked.
Williams frowned. Does he? He doesn't.
"I told you, I don't," Williams exasperatedly expressed, sitting down with his palms on his face.
"So, in short, you didn't give a shit about who Addison really was?"
That stung because, in reality, he didn't.
"Amir, I married her for her blood and to save Ivy's life," Williams murmured against the palm of his hand.
"Addison must hate you so much to just leave you like that. Tell me, do you even talk to her or eat dinner with her?"
"I..."
"You don't. And why are you looking for her again?" Amir asked. "How can we find her if you don't even know who she is? So tell me, how will you do that?"
"Oh, trace the withdrawal of money?"
"She didn't even touch that account, Williams. And if she did, maybe she spent only $10k on clothes, that's it."
Williams was frustrated because searching for blood for Ivy would be a problem now because the next person with that blood type would be hard to find.
"Knock, knock," Williams's secretary, Yara, knocked at the door.
"Yes?" Williams barked.
"A Mr Kael is here to see you. He says he's Miss Addison's lawyer." She said.
He just nodded. "Stay on the line, Amir."
"Okay."
"Thank you for meeting with me, Mr Williams," Kael immediately said as he walked into the office.
"Where is my wife?" Williams scowled.
"Oh, maybe you mean ex-wife? Well, wait, did you even treat her as such?" Kael looked squarely at him.
Williams seethed in anger. "How dare you!"
"Well, let me not overstay my welcome," Kael said as he placed the envelope on the table.
"You will find the divorce documents in order," the alpha lawyer stated, "and a manager's check for $10m. That check will nullify your marriage."
But his money was not touched, and Addison was paying him another $10m?
"Or do you want a bank transfer to make sure you get your money?" Kael looked him in the eye.
Williams looked at the folder in front of him.
With a heavy sigh, he looked it over and saw Addison's signature.
Kael then spoke, "And if you are not amenable to this, and do not agree to the divorce, she would sue you for damages, and you would not like her restitution request."
"Just tell me, what are her stipulations?" Williams asked, defeatedly.
"That Ivy Knights return the 26 pints of blood that he donated back to her," Kael said sternly, "All at the same time."
Williams's eyes widened. "That's a cruel stipulation," he retorted.
"Then sign the divorce papers, and I will send you a copy, and your business with Addison will be over." Kael stated adamantly, looking at the alpha CEO fiercely.