Chapter 9
Odessa’s POV
I was able to get my old job back fairly quickly.
I could see the judgment in their eyes when I returned, but I had no time or space to deal with it.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t get my second job back.
It had been taken over by another low blood born.
I would just have to be on the lookout for another job soon enough.
I was lucky in that I still had money in my account.
I had been paying on my flat so the payment was current.
Because of that, it couldn’t be rented out to anyone else, even if I hadn’t been living there.
Devareaux had been providing me with a living allowance.
I didn’t even know that was a thing but apparently it was, according to Miss Gloria.
I had enough money to last a year without needing the second job just on three months’ allowance.
But I would still need one eventually. I didn’t want to wait until I was running out of money.
There was an old saying that explained low blood borns to a tee: Think smart, be smart.
I was home today, my one day off, and I was preparing to go visit my parents.
I told them about Devareaux shortly after our match, but he had not made any effort to meet them.
But then again, he hadn’t made any effort me for me to meet his family either.
Well, now I knew why. He had no plan to do so.
I had finished getting ready when there was a rapid knock on my door. That was odd. I didn’t get visitors. The only people I socialized without outside of my parents were coworkers, but only at work. We hardly had time to do much else.
I anxiously approached the door, but opened it as the knocking started again. I didn’t want to disturb my flat mates.
I was initially shocked when I saw Devareaux standing outside my door, but then the thought occurred to me he must be here to legalize our separation.
That hurt, but I composed myself enough to deal with the matter at hand.
I would not cry in front of him no matter how much I felt the need to.
I thought it would take a little longer to get the papers ready, but I guess not if he was here this soon.
“Devareaux.”
“Odessa.” He looked me over, then said, “Are you ready to come back home?”
I frowned, confused. “I am home.” He flinched.
“No Odessa, this is not your home. Your home is with me.”
I composed my expression again. “That is your home, Devareaux.” He flinched again, gritting his teeth. “Not mine. You made that perfectly clear when you made that public statement with your blood whore.”
His eyes widened, his face tense. “No, no, no Odessa. Quinn is nothing to me.”
I held my hand up to him. “But she is, Devareaux. What you did was a public statement.” He was shaking his head frantically, but I continued.
“I understand that it must have been a shock, and unwelcoming, being matched with a low blood born.” His expression looked pained.
“So I understand your need to find another blood partner.” My voice was monotone even though I felt a tightness in my chest. I would give him what he wanted.
I did not want to be partnered simply for my blood match.
I knew some couples did that, shared the blood match, but had others on the side. I couldn’t do that. I wouldn’t do that.
“No Odessa, please. You are my wife.”
“Only on paper. And I choose not to live with a blood partner who has mistresses.” He grimaced. “I want my partner to be just that, my partner. But since you have other…..needs…...then it would be best if we end the marriage.”
“Please, Odessa. Please reconsider. I want nothing of Quinn. Only you. You are my wife, my blood partner. I want no other.”
I shook my head, but started to notice he looked disheveled and tired.
I frowned at him again. “Devareaux, you do not look well.”
He sounded desperate. “I need to take the blood. Please.” He was begging me.
I frowned at him again. “But you have your blood whore for that.”
“No!” He roared out, then looked around frantically. “I cannot take her blood. I will not take her blood.”
I rubbed a hand down my face. “I understand it may look bad with your position.” I considered how I could help him.
I nodded. “I can come back to your house for you to take the blood every three days until you are able to end our marriage. Then,” I gulped, trying to get past the lump in my throat, “then you can marry Quinn and it will be a legitimate for your station.”
I looked him in the eyes, a pained expression still there as he looked me over, as if trying to read more into what I said.
“You will come back then?”
“Only for the taking. I will leave the following morning. I need to keep my job.”
“I could pay for your flat, whatever you need.”
That frustrated me. “No. You refused to pay it out when we matched, and it was because of that I was able to keep it. Or I wouldn’t even have a place to go when you decided to choose your blood whore.”
“She is not my blood whore, Odessa. I have never, nor will ever, take the blood with her.”
I shrugged. “Your chosen blood match then.”
“No!” he said emphatically. “She will never be anything more to me from here on but an acquaintance.”
I hummed and shrugged again. Not my business now.
“You will have Chauffie plan to pick me up and drop me off every three days.” Devareaux went to argue and I held up my hand, “I will not lose my job, Devareaux. And it would not be fair of you to ask me to when you put me in this position to begin with.”
He dropped his head, looking at the ground, and took several deep heavy breaths.
He whispered, “Okay. I will send Chauffie.” He looked up at me, pleading, “But will you come with me today for the taking?”
I huffed out. “Send Chauffie around later. I am going to visit my parents for the day.”
He suddenly looked hopeful, and stepped in closer to me, making me step back. He rushed out, “I can take you.”
I shook my head at him, irritated. “You do not get to meet my parents now after this is done.”
He looked at me sadly, then nodded. Quietly he said, “Okay. I am sorry I did this to us, Odessa. I should have made a better effort to meet them, for you to meet my parents.”
“No use worrying over the past now, Devareaux. Let’s just move forward from here.”
Okay.” He stared at me for a moment, then said, “I will see you this evening.”
I simply nodded.
He left, reluctantly. After I closed the door, I dropped to my knees and wept.