50. New Identity

After getting the gold bars from the secret place, Alpha Callum proceeds to visit Clarice and his son in the rental house via teleportation. He landed in Clarice's room. She was in the shower when he arrived. "Babe, I'm here!" He announced his presence cheerily. "I'll get out in a minute," she responded from the bathroom. "Don't rush, take your time," he said, easing onto the sofa, wondering where his son was. A few minutes later, Clarice emerged from the bathroom door wearing a bathrobe. "What's the news?" she asked, going to the closet and putting on clothes. "I have good news for you," he said, smiling broadly. He couldn't wait to see her reaction. "Good news? I love that!" she said excitedly, rushing to his side, settling on the sofa beside him. She looked into his eyes, smiling brightly. "Tell me the good news now!" He planted a kiss on her head. "Viviana has already agreed to the divorce," he broke the news, beaming. Clarice's eyes widened in shock and surprise. "Wow! Really?" she asked in disbelief. She couldn't believe that Viviana would just easily give up her husband just like that. There must be some catch. "Tell me, did she ask some impossible demands in exchange for your freedom?" Alpha Callum took a deep breath. "Yeah, she did. But it's nothing. I will do everything just to be with you and our son," he said lovingly, hugging her affectionately. "What are her demands? Tell me," she asked, eager to know what could make Viviana let go of her husband. In her case, the reason she unwillingly gave up her husband in the past was because she was poisoned to death. She had no choice. Luna Viviana's situation was completely different from hers. "Let's not talk about her demands, it will only bother you," he answered, not eager to tell her about the huge settlement his wife wanted from him just to give him the freedom he sought. She pouted up a storm. "Please tell me," she begged, not wanting to be left out. "I can't have peace unless I know what are the things she demands from you," she pleaded into his eyes. Alpha Callum sighed. "Alright, I'll tell you, but don't take it to heart. Don't be bothered by what you hear. Okay?" "OK." Clarice nodded her head, readying herself for the bad news. "She asked for a $100 million cash divorce settlement, a beach house property in her name and a $300K monthly living allowance for her and our baby," he explained. "Whaaaat!?" Clarice's eyes almost popped out of their sockets, mind-blown by the huge amount. "That's too much! You will go bankrupt if you agree to all her demands!" she protested, shocked, stunned beyond words. Alpha Callum smiled, not losing eye contact with her. "Don't worry about it, babe. I'm not going to be bankrupt after all this shit is over because I can give her all the monetary demands she wants quite easily," he assured her, not worried at all. "Are you sure?" she asked anxiously. The amount was too huge for her brain to comprehend. "Yep!" He nodded his head confidently, not worried at all. "Where are you going to get the money?" She continued asking, because the huge cash settlement Viviana demanded from Callum was bothering her deeply. It made her feel guilty because she was the reason Callum was so pressured right now. Alpha Callum smiled. "A few hours ago, my Grandpa and I discovered this secret cave full of treasure and gold bars, so we got some bars and I sold them to pay Viviana. I'm willing to pay her because my child will also benefit from the money she gets from me." Clarice digested his words slowly, still reeling from the shock. "It's a win-win for all of us. Viviana got the money and security she wanted for herself and my child with her. They are well taken care of, it takes away the guilt from me. The best thing of all is, we also got the freedom to become a family. So everything is good, right? Please don't worry about the money anymore," he said, cupping her face lovingly. He doesn't want her to feel distressed about the entire process of the divorce proceedings. Clarice smiled, loosening up. "Yeah, as long as you don't go bankrupt, and we can be together every day, then all is fine with me," she said happily. All her worries disappeared after learning that he had other sources of wealth that could sustain Viviana's demands without bleeding his bank account dry. "Viviana will vacate the place after she finishes scouting a beachfront property. She told me that you and Caden could stay in the mansion after she left," he added, to make her feel more assured and calm. Clarice's eyes glimmered. "So kind of her..." she murmured, wondering why Viviana suddenly became okay with everything? She hoped Viviana was honest with her intentions and would move on with her life with ease and grace and not turn vindictive, secretly planning her downfall while she was enjoying family life with Callum and her son. She sighed inwardly. After surviving a near-death experience at the hands of the evil shaman and her despicable heartless ex-best friend Aurelia, her heart was still weary. "Babe, what's wrong? Are you still upset by the whole thing?" he asked anxiously after seeing her gloomy expression. Clarice shook her head. "I'm fine, don't worry about me. I'm okay now. I'm not bothered anymore after learning that you have other sources of money to provide for Viviana's needs without getting broke." Alpha Callum smiled in relief. "Good!" "By the way, I have already finished filling in the late birth registration form," she said cheerily. "Where is it? Can I see it?" he asked. Clarice went to the dresser table, removed the form from the drawer and handed it to Callum. "Here it is." He read the form in silence. "So, what do you think of my new name?" she asked, after he finished reading the form. "Your new name is Charice Evans. It sounds like your old name," he commented casually. "Yeah, despite everything I've gone through in life, I still love my old name because it's my identity. So I chose a name that sounded the same. Why? You don't like it? I can change it," she offered. Alpha Callum smiled. "No need to change it. I like your new name," he said reassuringly. Clarice smiled. "My new name is for legal paper purposes only. Inside my home I still want to be called Clarice." "Sure thing, baby," he said and hugged her, knowing that she was hurting inside. Giving up the name she was born with must be hard to deal with. "Are we going to encounter any problems with the late identity registration?" she asked worriedly. "Nope. I'll submit the form to the legal authorities. I have some connections there that can speed up the process so we don't have to wait long for the result," he said reassuringly. "Wow, thanks!" she said. Huge relief washed over her. "Are you willing to stay in the mansion with me and become my wife and Luna?" he asked, looking deeply into her eyes. "Yesssss!" she answered, smiling radiantly, floating on cloud 9. Alpha Callum enveloped Clarice in a tight hug, kissing her lips tenderly. "Babe, I can't wait to marry you. You should start planning for our lavish wedding," he suggested. "Sure, I'll start making plans from now on," she replied in a thrilled voice, elated beyond words. The couple kissed each other passionately, savoring each other's intoxicating love, warming their hearts. Their lip duel lasted for a few minutes. After the sweet kiss, Alpha Callum asked, "Where is our son?" "He is in the kitchen with Lorey, making pancakes," she answered. "Alright, let's join in the fun and dive into the pool afterward," he said, grinning broadly. The couple beams at each other, looking forward to celebrating an exciting phase in their lives. They left the room in high spirits, holding hands.