Disowning My Mafia Family After They Chose A Liar novel · Chapter 4 of 24

Chapter 4: Three Drops

The butler told me the council had to approve any removal.

I reached for my phone to call them, and he put out a hand.

"Miss Nerina, take a moment to calm down."

I lowered the phone.

"I am perfectly calm," I said. "Does my mother love me? If she does, how could she say that?"

He stood very still.

"Madam may have spoken in the heat of the moment."

"Words said in anger are supposed to be regretted afterward. Did she call back?"

He said nothing.

"Did she text to ask whether I had eaten? Did she send anyone to say one thing to me?"

He lowered his head.

"No, miss."

I waited, and he stayed quiet.

I called the council elder and told him I was applying to be struck from the family.

"Miss Nerina, do you understand what that means?" he asked. "You would give up your inheritance, your territory, the family's protection, and every business right that comes with the name."

"I understand."

He sighed.

"Come to the council chamber in half an hour."

The chamber was at the far end of the west wing.

The elder was already seated at the head of the long table.

A heavy ledger lay open in front of him, with the Brancato crest pressed into its cover.

He turned it toward me, to the page with my name.

"Removal needs your own blood," he said. "Your father's stamp is custom, not law. But the rules ask three things first."

"Ask them."

"Are you leaving the Brancato family of your own free will?"

"Yes."

"Do you understand that once you leave, the family does not protect you and answers for nothing done to you?"

"I understand."

"Do you give up all family property and your right to inherit?"

"I do."

He opened a drawer, took out a dagger, and slid it across the wood.

"Three drops of blood on the blade. Then draw a cross through your name."

I cut the first finger of my left hand.

Blood welled, and three drops fell on the steel.

← Chapter 3 · All chapters · Chapter 5 →

Want to keep talking to characters like these? Chat with AI romance characters: AI Boyfriend · AI Girlfriend · Dark Romance · Fantasy Romance · BL (Boys’ Love) · Billionaire Boyfriend · Mafia Boyfriend · Possessive Boyfriend · Hockey Boyfriend · Older Boyfriend · K-Drama Boyfriend · Anime Boyfriend · Vampire Boyfriend · Werewolf Boyfriend · Demon Boyfriend · Fae Romance · GL (Girls’ Love) · Anime Girlfriend · Goth & Alt Girlfriend · Gamer Girlfriend · Tsundere Girlfriend · Fantasy Girlfriend