Chapter 4

My heart, which I thought had gone numb, still ached faintly when I heard Cedric's mocking tone.

Katniss stared at Cedric's chiseled face, opened her mouth, but suddenly couldn't utter a word.

So everything she had done over these five years was just an act in his eyes.

For the first time, Katniss found herself laughable.

"Alright, Grandfather wants us back at York Villa for dinner today."

The notification sound from his phone prevented Cedric from noticing the sorrow swirling in Katniss's eyes. He looked down to respond briefly, his brow revealing a trace of impatience.

Cody's reason for summoning them back was obvious—undoubtedly because of the rumors circulating about their marital dispute over the resort project.

"At the dinner table, you know what to say and what not to say."

He looked up with a warning. Seeing Katniss silent and expressionless, he assumed she was still sulking.

He inwardly scoffed—how long was she planning to play this game of hard-to-get?

The atmosphere in the car on the way to York Villa was so quiet it was almost solid.

"Mr. Cedric York, Mr. Cody York requests your presence in the study."

The butler approached respectfully as soon as they entered the grand foyer.

Cedric had expected this. He gave Katniss a meaningful look before heading upstairs to the study.

"Katniss, I hear you've been competing with Cedric for the resort project lately?"

Feeling stifled in the great hall, Katniss had stepped out to the corridor for fresh air when Cedric's cousin, Vaughn York, appeared silently behind her.

Katniss merely raised her eyes without answering. She didn't like Cedric's cousin, Vaughn.

When Cody had announced his share requirements, every York family descendant had been eyeing the opportunity hungrily. Only Vaughn had stood apart, remaining spotlessly clean without even a hint of scandal, as if he didn't care.

But she always felt that beneath his scholarly, modest facade lurked something more dangerous than the open power struggles of the others—something deep and dark.

Like a venomous snake lying in wait, observing every move the York family made, ready to strike with deadly precision at the perfect moment.

"Why the sudden interest in that project?"

Vaughn's question was deliberately provocative, making Katniss frown slightly.

"Are you that bored?"

"Not really. Just wanted to offer myself as your next option."

Vaughn suddenly lowered his voice and leaned toward her ear, his warm breath fanning against her skin. She uncomfortably dodged backward, putting distance between them.

"Don't be so wary. I'm just hoping you'll consider me first after your divorce."

"After all, the interests of the Astor and York families are inseparable."

The implication was clear—if she wanted a divorce, she'd need to select another marriage alliance from within the York family.

His words exploded like thunder in Katniss's ears. Disbelief and shock flashed in her eyes; she never imagined Vaughn would harbor such intentions.

"Besides, Katniss, with your beauty, I wouldn't dream of leaving you to an empty bed like Cedric has."

"You're insane..."

Katniss turned to leave, not realizing Cedric was standing right behind her.

She had no idea how much of their conversation he had heard.

Cedric's face was dark, emanating a frigid aura that sent a wave of foreboding through Katniss.

"Cedric, you're here. I was just talking with your wife about—"

Vaughn's face remained unruffled as he greeted Cedric with a smile.

Unfortunately, his words were cut off by Cedric's piercing glare.

"I need to speak with you."

Cedric grabbed Katniss's arm and headed toward the guest room, unaware of the fury evident in his own voice.

"When did you and Vaughn start your little affair?"

The door locked behind them.

Cedric's tone was ominous.

He had thought Katniss's divorce threats were just a ploy for attention, not realizing she had already secured a backup plan.

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

"You think Vaughn is a decent person? You're a full five years older than him. Without the Astor family backing you, do you think he'd look twice at you?"

"An empty bed? Did you tell him that?"

Cedric was burning with rage, his rationality completely consumed by Vaughn's final comment.

He grabbed Katniss's arm, his large hand curving around her slender waist. The heat of his touch penetrated the thin fabric as his hand moved toward the hem of her dress.

"I had no idea you were so desperate for a man!"

"Just because you're filthy doesn't mean everyone else is!"

Katniss's face flushed with anger as she recalled his previous behavior, her struggles growing more intense.

"Let go of me!"

"You just want a child, right? I'll give you one—no need for all this drama."

Her indignant struggles looked like a tacit admission to Cedric. He captured her hands and pinned them above her head on the bed behind her.

"Get off me!"

The physical strength difference between them was too great. Katniss couldn't break free. Frustrated and furious, tears streamed down her face despite herself.

Cedric froze, his movements suspended.

In five years of marriage, Katniss had never cried in front of him.

Taking advantage of his hesitation, Katniss escaped from under him. She angrily wiped away her tears, glaring at Cedric.

"You think everyone's as promiscuous as you are?"

"Why pretend? Isn't this what you wanted? A child would secure your position as Mrs. York, get you shares to support the Astor family, and permanently bind our families' interests together."

Three birds with one stone.

"Katniss, this divorce talk has already reached Grandfather's ears. Know when to stop—this is going too far."

Mentioning Cody, Cedric rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration.

"Right now, the priority is for you to get pregnant quickly and dispel Grandfather's suspicions."

Wasn't it obvious that Katniss causing divorce drama at this critical moment would only make them a laughingstock?

She should understand the importance of maintaining family unity before addressing external issues.

"So from beginning to end, you never actually considered what I needed."

Katniss's heart grew colder with each word he spoke.

All her efforts these past days suddenly seemed like a joke, never taken seriously.

"You..."

Cedric wanted to say more, but Katniss had already shut him out.

Luxury neighborhoods didn't allow taxis to enter, so after she ran out, Cedric didn't chase after her, seemingly determined to teach her a lesson.

She walked for nearly half an hour before finding a cab home.

Seeing the familiar layout of the room, Katniss felt mentally and physically exhausted, the suffocating atmosphere making it hard to breathe.

Cedric's words kept replaying in her mind. She couldn't help but give a bitter smile before her eyes hardened with resolve. She rose and quickly packed her belongings.

Finishing as fast as possible, she stood at the doorway, taking one last look at this cold, lifeless home before decisively leaving.

She couldn't return to the Astor family for now, so she rented a large apartment in the city center.

The unfamiliar environment left Katniss restless that night. After tossing and turning for hours, she got up and composed a text message to her assistant, Flora.