Third person's POV
Phoebe was crying so hard she could barely catch her breath. Between sobs, she said, "Ambrose, I thought that once you divorced, if I raised Zander well and managed the household, your father would eventually see my sincerity. But after all these years, we're still outsiders. Let's just go. We're not welcome here."
Ambrose was brimming with anger at Phoebe's instigation, even though Andrea hadn't said anything yet.
As he helped Zander up, he blurted out, "Why are you leaving? If anyone should be leaving, it's them!"
He immediately regretted his words the moment they left his lips.
He was aware that Andrea had not been having an easy time over the years.
Ambrose had no intention of driving her away. He had even considered that if Andrea was willing, she could spend her old age with the Greenwood family.
He didn't even realize it himself when he got angry and blurted out those words.
Once hurtful words were spoken, they were like a sharp knife thrust into someone's heart. Even when the knife was pulled out, it left behind a wound that bled and caused unbearable pain.
He'd been long used to it, and even if it felt wrong, he just had to bite the bullet and keep going.
His mind was racing, figuring that if all else failed, he could just offer Andrea more compensation.
Alpha Elliott was infuriated by him again, his heart aching. "I'm not dead yet. You don't get to call the shots in this house. This has always been Andrea's home. Where do you propose she go?"
"Dad, please calm down," Andrea said, managing to stay composed as she poured water for Alpha Elliott to help him catch his breath.
She casually sneered, "He probably forgot that I've long severed ties with the Salat family."
The remark was like a slap in the face for Ambrose, bringing a flood of memories rushing back.
Yeah, after she slit her wrist, the Salat family wanted to take her away, but she refused adamantly.
The Salat family gave her an ultimatum to choose between staying with Ambrose or leaving with the Salat family. At that time, the Salat family was just trying to force her to leave.
Ambrose didn't expect Andrea to say that he was her own life and that she didn't want to live without him.
It was this very statement that broke the Salat family's heart. Andrea's father declared that he would consider Andera no longer his daughter, telling her to take care of herself from then on.
After the Salat family left, Andrea had a good cry. Ambrose had been impatient to leave, but seeing the tears at the corners of her eyes, he somehow softened and told her that the Black Thorn Pack was her home.
He had promised Andrea this, but in the end, he let her leave.
The Salat family didn't want her, and the Greenwood family couldn't accommodate her either.
With the whole world at her feet, she found herself without a home.
Ambrose felt a whirlwind of emotions stirring inside him.
"I..."
"Ambrose, you don't have to be in a dilemma. Our status under the same roof was never meant to be balanced. I just wanted to give Alpha Elliott a proper birthday celebration, but I guess even on a day like this, peace is hard to keep. If someone has to leave, I hope it's me," Phoebe said, tears streaming down her face.
Ambrose wrapped his arm around Phoebe's waist. "Now you're the legitimate Mrs. Greenwood. Where else could you possibly go?"
Ambrose turned to face Alpha Elliott and said, "Dad, I've been out there fighting for years, never once complaining. If this is my punishment, I'll take it. But Phoebe is your daughter-in-law, and Zander is your grandson. There's no doubt about it. Today, with everyone present, it's a perfect time to make it official and let them join the family."
Alpha Elliott was fuming, practically blowing his top. "I said it. The Greenwood family is not for you to call the shots!"
Zander looked innocent and said, "Grandpa, we all understand that you trust Derek, but Derek's gone now, and you won't acknowledge me. Do you really want the Greenwood family to have no heir?"