"What are you laughing at? Ella, have you actually gone insane?"
"Your mother's dead. What the hell do I have to regret?"
Florence hurried over as well.
"Chester, don't stoop to her level. She's just jealous of us. Jealous that you treat me so well."
"Three years of marriage, and what has she done besides spend your money?"
"If you ask me, you spoiled her rotten. That's the only reason she dares act like this."
Her words were gasoline on the fire. Chester's rage surged hotter.
He released me with a violent shove, then backhanded me across the face.
My head snapped to the side. But that still wasn't enough for him. He turned to the servants and bodyguards standing in the living room and made his declaration, every syllable bitten off like a verdict.
"Listen up. All of you."
"This woman schemed her way into the Henson family to get her hands on my money and my name."
"For three years, I provided for her. I gave her everything. And she repaid me with ingratitude and venom. She even dared to curse my own family."
"From this day forward, I, Chester Henson, am done with Ella Swanson. We're through."
"Divorce. Immediately. She doesn't get a single cent. She leaves with nothing."