Chapter 2

Kane’s eyes narrowed, his domineering aura clouding the place. “What did you say?”

Each word was oppressive, a stark warning. It said, ‘Take back what you said or you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.’

“Are you crazy?” Harry shouted, his small face blotched pink.

Justin looked at her sternly, as if matching his father’s stance.

While her family went through a meltdown, Cynthia turned to the officer. “Can I go now?”

After checking the evidence and confirming her whereabouts, the officer nodded. “You’re free to leave.”

Cynthia took her phone and, ignoring her family, walked right out of the station. Of course, Kane could not let her have the last word. He caught up with her outside the station and grabbed her arm, yanking her to a stop.

Pain shot up her leg as her ankle twisted and flared up an old injury.

“Have you lost your damn mind?” he growled, teeth flashing. “Go back in there and fix it.”

With all her strength, Cynthia pulled her arm free. She slapped him across the face, the sound resounding across the lot. “Are you done?”

His eyes flashed at her. “You’re really pushing it.”

She laughed. “Am I? Can I compare to you? Because I’ve been tolerant all these years, you think you can do whatever you want?”

“Tolerant?” He stepped in her face, trying to intimidate her with his taller stature and stronger Alpha aura. “You wanted me, and you got me. Everything that happened is because of you, and you dare to act innocent? Do you have any shame?”

Shame? The man who was sleeping with his wife’s sister, asked her whether she had any shame? She was tired of it all. Arguing with him was pointless.

“Then, let me step aside,” she told him. “Divorce me and be with the one you truly love. Don’t let me rain on your parade anymore.” Her eyes switched to her sons, who stood at the entrance flanking Aurelia. “You two will also finally get the mother you wanted. Good news for everyone, right? Perfect!”

Cynthia had never, in all five years as Kane’s luna, spoken to any of them like that. She quietly took whatever was thrown her way without complaining. When they asked whether she had gone crazy, it was because they really thought she had.

Justin’s lips trembled as he asked, “Mom, how can you say that? You are not like this!”

Cynthia scoffed. “Not like how? A doormat the lot of you can step over without a care in the world? All these years, have any of you treated me like a human? Did you love me as your mother? You’re so willing to have me thrown into jail, and now you act like I’m being unreasonable?” She pinned her gaze on Kane. “I suggest you get busy with damage control. The media will love a story about a celebrity dancer who hit a person while speeding and driving under the influence!”

This time, she shocked him into such silence that he did not stop her escape. She jumped into a nearby taxi and left the station without a glance back.

Back at the penthouse, she walked past the dinner table still laden with food and went straight to her bedroom. All her belongings fit into one suitcase. It was such an irony. As the luna to the most powerful alpha in the city, she should have lived a luxurious life.

Instead, she had lived like a nanny, giving up every part of herself so she could carry the name of Mrs Radcliffe. Her needs and interests didn’t matter. Looking at the single suitcase, she realised just how much she had denied herself to cater to her husband and kids.

The housekeeper was in the living room when Cynthia emerged with her suitcase in tow. “Luna Cynthia, where are you going?”

Cynthia answered with a half smile before walking out the door.

Later that night, Kane and the twins came back to the house. The dinner was still untouched. “It’s so late, why has this not been cleared?”

“Sir, this is dinner Luna Cynthia prepared for your fifth wedding anniversary,” Anna, the housekeeper, replied. “She spent the entire afternoon preparing it.”

Kane’s lips twisted. Ah. So that’s why she had acted out at the station, because he had forgotten the anniversary. “Where’s she?”

“She left earlier with her luggage. I could try calling her–”

“Don’t bother,” he cut her short. “She’ll be back within three days.”

All that talk about divorce was nonsense. He knew Cynthia better than anyone, and he knew she would never willingly give up the title of Mrs Radcliffe. This was just another of her tactics. After all, she was a woman who had the guts to steal her way into her sister’s boyfriend’s bed.

Three days later, Cynthia had still not returned to the house. Instead, she had sent divorce papers. Kane’s knuckles turned white as he clasped the papers. “Where is she?”

His Beta Parker, who had done due diligence, replied, “She has been staying at the Grand Elite Hotel. Besides her divorce lawyer, no one has visited her room.”

Kane gritted his teeth. How far was she going to take this? Did she think he’d go and beg her once he saw the papers?

Parker, on the other hand, felt differently. “Sir, if I may. Perhaps you should go and see her? She seems serious this time.”

Kane snickered. “Serious? Don’t tell me you’re falling for her tricks. You should know better. Let’s pick Aurelia up.”

After being arrested, Aurelia had been detained over the weekend. She was being released after being presented in court. Word had gotten out to the media, but Kane had pulled every string he could to keep things quiet.

In the car, he called Cynthia. She received after two rings.

“When are you available to go to the court?” she asked.

Kane’s fingers flexed around the phone. “Aren’t you done with this nonsense? I don’t have time for your silly games. Come home or–”

“Call me when you’re ready to discuss the divorce. Better yet, have your lawyer call me.”

She hung up.

Kane stared at his phone in disbelief. How dare she hang up on him? No one had ever done that!

Having heard the conversation, Parker asked, “Sir, should we head to the hotel?”

Kane pocketed his phone and looked ahead, his eyes burning with fury. “To the station.”