The President's Secret Daughter - Chapter #6 - by Passion Master

Zorina stood tall before the grand gates of the governor’s mansion, her resolve as unshakable as the morning sun. “Tell the governor,” she said to the guards, her voice firm, “that Celestina Aldara is here to see him.”

The guards exchanged quick glances before bowing slightly. “Right away, Madam.”

Minutes later, the doors swung open, and Zorina was ushered into the luxurious living room. The governor stood as soon as she entered, his eyes widening in recognition.

“Celestina Aldara!” he exclaimed, his voice a mixture of surprise and reverence. “To what do I owe this unexpected visit? And how is the president?”

Zorina knelt gracefully, lowering her head. “I have come as a child to you, my Lord.”

The governor stepped forward, gesturing for her to rise. “Stand up, Celestina. This is no place for such formalities. Now tell me, what brings you here?”

Straightening, Zorina took a deep breath. “I am married to Kael Veridan,” she announced, her voice steady but piercing. “The same man your daughter is about to marry.”

The governor’s jaw dropped as he stumbled back a step. “You? Married to Kael?” His voice rose in disbelief. “Oh my God.”

Zorina’s expression remained calm, though her heart pounded fiercely.

The governor paced the room, running a hand through his hair. “This changes everything. I cannot allow Liora to enter such a union, not when you—the daughter of the president—are already married to him.”

“No,” Zorina interjected firmly, shaking her head. “That is not why I am here.”

The governor turned to her, confusion clouding his features. “Then what is it you seek?”

“A divorce,” Zorina stated, her tone unwavering. “I don’t care if Kael marries your daughter or someone else. All I want is my freedom. I need your support to ensure that divorce happens, even if it delays Kael’s marriage to Liora for a while.”

The governor hesitated, his brows furrowing. “A divorce before a new marriage is considered a bad omen,” he muttered.

Zorina’s lips twitched with impatience. “Governor, I have no interest in omens or traditions. I need my life back, and if delaying their marriage for a year or more is what it takes, then so be it.”

The governor nodded slowly, understanding dawning in his eyes. “Very well. If that is what you truly want, I will delay the marriage and ensure your divorce is finalized.”

Zorina’s shoulders relaxed slightly, though her voice remained firm. “It is what I want.”

He studied her intently. “You’re sure? This will not create enmity between us or harm my daughter’s future?”

Zorina gave a small, almost imperceptible smile. “You have my word, Governor. I hold no ill will toward you or your daughter. This is about me, not her.”

The governor took a deep breath, then spoke with solemn authority. “Then so be it. Celestina, I hereby grant you what you desire—a divorce.”

As the words left his lips, a gasp echoed from the doorway. Both Zorina and the governor turned to see Liora standing there, her face pale, her eyes wide with shock.

“You…” Liora’s voice trembled, barely above a whisper. “You’re her. The president’s daughter?”

The realization crashed over her like a tidal wave, leaving the room heavy with tension.

"Kael Veridan, I need a word with you immediately," the governor’s voice boomed through the speakerphone, leaving no room for argument.

Kael frowned, gripping the edges of his desk. "What could possibly be so urgent?"

"It's about your upcoming marriage to Liora. Come to my office at once."

Kael didn’t waste time. He strode into the governor's residence minutes later, his irritation barely concealed. As soon as he stepped into the grand living room, the governor's stern expression greeted him.

"Governor, what’s going on?" Kael asked, his voice laced with frustration as he bowed.

The governor sat down slowly, his gaze piercing. "Your marriage to my daughter is being delayed."

Kael blinked, stunned. "Delayed? For how long?"

"A year, maybe more."

Kael’s jaw clenched. "Why? I’ve already waited long enough to be with Liora. I can’t delay this again."

The governor leaned forward, his tone sharp. "You will delay it because Celestina—no, Zorina—came to me seeking a divorce. And I have granted it."

Kael’s stomach churned at the mention of Zorina. "She came here?"

"Yes," the governor said firmly. "She requested that I give her permission to finalize the divorce before you marry my daughter. And I agreed."

Kael’s hands curled into fists. "This is ridiculous! I love Liora. Zorina means nothing to me. I can’t believe we’re putting everything on hold for a woman I didn’t even want to marry in the first place."

The governor’s eyes darkened. "Then why did you marry her?"

Kael opened his mouth, but no words came out. He looked away, avoiding the governor's hard stare.

"Exactly," the governor said coldly. "You married her because it suited you. Perhaps it was convenient. But now, you owe her dignity, if nothing else. And if you have even a shred of decency left, you will make amends for how you’ve treated her."

Kael shook his head, his voice rising. "Make amends? Governor, I—"

"You will sign those divorce papers, Kael," the governor interrupted. "And you will do it now. That’s not a request—it’s an order."

Kael felt the weight of the command. He wanted to argue, to plead his case, but he knew better than to defy the governor. He drew a sharp breath. "Fine. If signing those papers means I can eventually marry Liora, then so be it."

Marrying the governor's daughter would give him power. It would make his family become powerful. The union was going to be a dream come true for him.

Just then, the sound of heels clicking against the marble floor echoed through the room. Kael turned to see Zorina standing tall and poised in the doorway. In her hand were the divorce papers.

She walked toward him, her expression unreadable, and dropped the documents onto the coffee table in front of him. "Here. I assume you already know what to do."

Kael’s gaze flickered between the papers and Zorina. "So, this is how you want it to end?"

Zorina crossed her arms, her voice calm but firm. "This is how it should have ended a long time ago. Sign the papers, Kael. Let’s stop pretending there’s anything left to save."

Kael picked up the pen reluctantly, hesitating for a moment. "You know what this means, right? Delaying my marriage to Liora because of you."

Zorina raised an eyebrow, her voice cold. "You’re delaying it because of your own actions, not mine. Don’t try to make me the villain in your story."

The governor, watching the exchange, cleared his throat. "Kael, this is not a debate. Sign the papers."

With a deep scowl, Kael leaned over the table and began scribbling his signature on each page. Every stroke of the pen felt like a blow to his pride, but he swallowed it down, reminding himself of the bigger picture—his future with Liora.

"Done," Kael said, tossing the pen aside. He leaned back in his chair, glaring at Zorina. "Happy now?"

Zorina picked up the papers and checked the signatures. For the first time in what felt like years, she let out a deep sigh of relief. "Yes, Kael. I am happy. For the first time in a long time, I feel free."

Kael’s lips curled into a bitter smile. "Good for you."

She ignored his snide remark and turned to the governor. "Thank you, Governor. I appreciate your understanding in this matter."

The governor nodded. "I hope this decision brings you the peace you deserve."

Before Zorina could respond, Kael spoke up again. "Now what? Are we heading straight to the courthouse, or do you have more dramatic entrances planned?"

Zorina didn’t miss a beat. "Yes, we’re going to the courthouse. The sooner this is finalized, the sooner we can all move on with our lives."

Kael glared at her, but she turned on her heel and walked out of the room, her head held high.

As the door closed behind her, the governor leaned back in his chair, watching Kael’s face twisted with frustration. "You might not realize it now, Kael, but you’ve just lost something far more valuable than you ever understood."

Kaela twirled around the living room, her laughter echoing through the grand halls. "Finally, the witch is gone!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms in the air. "Kael can now marry Liora, and we can all move on."

Her joy was short-lived when the sound of heavy boots stomping on the marble floors reached her ears. She froze, her smile fading, as a group of guards stormed in, their faces grim.

"What is the meaning of this?" she asked, her voice laced with unease.

The head guard stepped forward, his expression devoid of emotion. "We’re here to retrieve any belongings left behind by Lady Zorina."

Kaela’s heart skipped a beat, but she quickly regained her composure. "Fine. Her room is upstairs, third door on the left. Take everything and get out," she said, waving them off.

The guards nodded and headed upstairs. Kaela huffed, muttering under her breath, "Good riddance. She didn’t deserve half the things she owned anyway."

Minutes later, the guards returned, carrying trunks and boxes. Kaela watched with a smirk, but her smugness turned to shock when the guards marched toward her room.

"Wait! What are you doing?" she demanded, stepping in their path.

The head guard remained stoic. "We were instructed to collect everything belonging to Lady Zorina, and that includes the items in this room."

Kaela’s eyes widened. "This is my room! None of this belongs to her!"

The guard’s gaze was unwavering. "Lady Zorina gifted most of these items to you, including the wardrobe, furniture, and clothing. By her right, they are hers."

Kaela’s mouth opened, then closed, as if searching for words. Her mind raced as she recalled the beautiful gowns, the jewelry, and even the antique vanity table—gifts she had always assumed were purchased by her brother.

"You’re mistaken," she stammered. "Those were from Kael. He bought them for me!"

The guard raised an eyebrow but said nothing as the others began packing. Kaela stood frozen, her breaths coming in short gasps as her room was emptied piece by piece.

"This can’t be happening," she whispered.

When they entered her mother’s room, Kaela’s fear turned to fury. She bolted after them. "You have no right to touch anything here!"

One of the guards replied without looking at her, "These were also gifts from Lady Zorina."

Kaela’s fists clenched as she watched her mother’s jewelry boxes, shoes, and designer handbags being taken. She ran to the study, where her father was seated, his face buried in a book.

"Father!" she cried, bursting into the room. "You have to stop them! They’re taking everything!"

Lord Veridan didn’t look up. "Let them."

Kaela blinked, her jaw-dropping. "What do you mean, let them? They’re taking my things, Mother’s things! Zorina doesn’t need them anymore—she’s gone!"

Her father finally raised his gaze, his eyes tired and distant. "Kaela, sit down."

"I don’t want to sit! I want you to do something!"

At that moment, her mother entered, her face pale. "Husband, what is going on? Why are you letting them take everything we own?"

Lord Veridan exhaled deeply and closed his book. "Because it’s not ours to begin with."

Both women stared at him in confusion. Kaela laughed nervously. "What are you talking about? Of course, it’s ours. This is our house. Our things."

"No," he said firmly, standing up. "This house, the money we use, the food we eat—it’s all Zorina’s."