~ Aurora ~
As I stood in front of the Caelestis-Medallion family, a charged silence enveloped the room.
The weight of my ultimatum hung in the air, and I could see the disbelief in their eyes.
I wasn't the same weak girl who had walked out five years ago.
I had reclaimed my power, and I was ready to wield it.
"Daemon," I began, my voice steady and unwavering, "if I'm to move back into this house with the children, I have one condition."
His brow furrowed, and I could see the tension ripple through his family, especially in the faces of his mother, Collete, and his twin sisters, Ivelle and Iliana.
"What is it?" he asked, his tone cautious but curious.
"I want 5% of the Caelestis-Medallion Empire shares. In my children's names." My words sliced through the air, and I held his gaze, refusing to back down. "They deserve to have a stake in their family's future."
A murmur of outrage erupted from the family.
Collete's face flushed with anger, while Ivelle and Iliana exchanged incredulous looks.
Mason crossed his arms, a smug expression creeping onto his face.
"Are you serious?" Collete spat, her voice dripping with contempt. "You think you can just come back and demand a share of our family's fortune? You're not even his wife anymore!"
I maintained my composure, my heart steady.
"No, I'm not. I'm their mother, and I want what's best for them. They deserve security, and this is a small step towards that."
Daemon shifted his weight, his expression torn between frustration and contemplation. "You're asking for a lot, Aurora. You can't just waltz in here and expect to take what you want."
"Actually, I can," I shot back, my confidence unwavering. "You need to realize that I'm not the same person I was five years ago. I've changed, and so have my expectations."
Leora, Daemon's youngest sister, stepped forward, her voice soft but resolute.
"Brother, I think what Aurora is asking for is fair. The kids deserve to be part of this family, and having shares in the company is a good start."
Collete glared at Leora. "You can't seriously agree with this! She left us! She abandoned her responsibilities!"
"Responsible or not, she's their mother," Daemon said, his voice steady as he faced his family. "If this is what she wants, then we'll discuss it."
"But Daemon—" Collete started, but he raised his hand to silence her.
"I said we'll discuss it," he repeated, his tone final.
The room fell into a tense silence, and I could feel the anger radiating off his family.
They were seething, but I stood firm, knowing I had the upper hand.
After what felt like an eternity, Daemon sighed, looking weary. "Fine. I'll agree to the 5% shares in the kids' names. But you will have to move back into the house with me until they turn eighteen."
The words hung in the air, and I could feel the collective shock of his family.
I smiled, knowing I had secured a critical piece of my plan. "Then it's settled. I'll be moving back in, and I expect the paperwork for the shares to be finalized."
Collete's face twisted in rage, and Mason opened his mouth to protest, but Daemon's glare silenced them both.
He knew better than to challenge me now.
"I want you to understand, Aurora," he said, his voice low and firm, "this isn't a reconciliation. You will abide by my rules while you're under my roof. I won't have you disrupting our family."
I smirked, relishing the thought of his discomfort. "I wouldn't dream of it. I'm here for the kids, and I will ensure they're happy and safe. You might even find that having me around isn't as dreadful as you think."
Daemon frowned, clearly displeased. "We'll see about that."
With that, I turned to lead my triplets upstairs, a sense of victory swelling within me.
As we ascended, I glanced back at the family, their expressions a mix of disbelief and resentment.
They had underestimated me before, and now they would see just how strong I had become.
I led the kids into our new room, my heart racing with excitement. "This is going to be our home," I said, kneeling down to their level. "We're going to make beautiful memories here, together."
Leocardius, always the curious one, asked, "Is Dad going to be nice to us?"
I smiled softly, brushing his hair back. "He's trying to be, sweetheart. Just give him some time."
I smiled as step one of my plan has just been completed and step two is in motion.
Just you wait the Caelestis-Medallion family. I'll hurt you twice as hard as you hurt me.