Chapter 4

Julia Ramsdale’s voice pierced Cynthia’s ears as soon as she answered the call. “Cynthia, how dare you do this to your small sister? You abandoned your children, and she took care of them. Instead of being grateful, why would you blame her?”

Cynthia had had enough of her parents’ lectures over the years. While handling Aurelia with kid gloves, they treated her harshly. Calmly, she asked, “What business does she have in my family affairs?”

“You–” her mother spat in anger. “If you weren’t such a bad mother, she wouldn’t have felt the need to step in. I cannot believe I raised a woman like you!”

Cynthia had heard those similar words so many times that they no longer hurt as they once did.

The voice on the phone switched to a man’s. Kennedy Ramsdale, her father. “Are you trying to ruin our family single-handedly? You knew what a scandal like that could do to Aurelia’s career, and yet you refused to help. Are you trying to sabotage her career?”

Cynthia smiled drily. She really was surrounded by hypocrites through and through. These same parents were the ones who ordered her to quit her dance career and marry Kane Radcliffe. They never hesitated to sacrifice her happiness for the sake of their favourite daughter. Over the years, Cynthia had lost her affection for her family, such that when her parents said such words, they went through one ear and out the other.

“I don’t need to do that,” she replied calmly. “She is sabotaging it just fine on her own.”

“Get your act together!” he snapped. “Since you’ve let things get this far, get a divorce.”

Cynthia’s brow rose. “What?”

“You can’t bear to do it?” her mother’s mocking voice came across. “Do I need to remind you of how you became Kane’s luna? You should have lived quietly and properly after stealing your sister’s place, but it’s not enough for you, is it? If you cannot handle the pressure, step aside and give back what always belonged to your sister.”

“Aurelia is permanently back in the country now,” Kennedy said. “It is obvious that Kane cannot stay with you now. Before you embarrass yourself and your family, step aside.”

Back then, they had forced her into the marriage to save face. Now, they wanted her to divorce to save face. They must be terrified of rumours about their favourite daughter being the mistress of her sister’s husband!

“Get it done as soon as possible,” Kennedy ordered. “If you don’t, you can forget about being part of the Ramsdale family.”

When Cynthia said nothing, her mother jumped in. “Don’t you dare play tricks anymore. These are the consequences of your actions.”

They thought she was reluctant to divorce, not knowing she had already initiated the process herself.

“Not being your daughter sounds good enough to me,” she said finally. “You have never once cared about me, so why would I care whether you’re in my life or not? I’ll give you what you want, on one condition.”

She might as well go out with a bang.

“Are you serious?” her father asked. “I don’t have time for your stupid mind games.”

Oh, she definitely had no time or desire to play games with him. “Ten million dollars. Give me that, and I’ll divorce him as soon as possible.”

Before her parents could respond, the office door shut with a thud. Cynthia turned and found Kane crossing over to her, his face twisted in a sneer. She ended the call and faced him.

“Can we sign the divorce now?” she asked him.

He scoffed. “What a nerve. Ten million dollars? Was that always your endgame? I knew you wouldn’t ask for a divorce unless you had an ulterior motive!”

He had always accused her of being scheming. Even if she were a saint, he’d only believe she was a devil. So, with a mocking smile, she said, “Yes. Why else would I have married you? After everything you’ve put me through, I deserve something to lick my wounds.”

Kane laughed in disbelief. When he was done, he pointed a finger at her face. “I was always right about you. I have to give it to you, you’re a great actress. Anybody would have thought you were the victim. If I didn’t loathe you so much, I’d bring you into the business. With that ruthless nature of yours, you’d make me more than those ten million dollars you sacrificed your dignity for.”

“No thanks,” Cynthia told him, smiling sweetly. “I’m ready to live my life now. You can build your little empire with your lover.”

Kane stepped forward until there were only a few inches between their faces. “You can stop dreaming. I won’t divorce you.”

His cold refusal shocked Cynthia. Shouldn’t he be happy to get rid of her? Why was he making it so difficult? Or, did it give him satisfaction to deny her what she wanted?

Kane grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the office. She thought he was throwing her out, but she was wrong. He dragged her to the elevator and to the parking basement, where he forced her into his car.

The twins, who had followed silently, settled in the back seat.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Cynthia demanded as he peeled out of parking. He said nothing, only letting his angry aura speak for him. As someone who often maintained control of everything, including his own emotions, she had never seen him so angry.

When they got home, he dragged her to the master bedroom. Once the door was shut, he pulled her against him. “This is where you belong.”

Cynthia scoffed, meeting his gaze head-on. “What. Do you want another child? I’m afraid that comes at a price too.”

Since he refused to take her demands seriously, she figured she could feed his delusions while at it. What was he planning to do? Lock her up in the penthouse?

He sneered. “You’re disgusting.”

She smiled. “Feel free to divorce me.”

His phone rang, cutting through the tense atmosphere. He let go of her as if scalded and, with a final look of disgust, turned to answer the call.

It was his mother-in-law calling. “Kane! Aurelia has overdosed on sleeping pills. We are rushing to the hospital right now. Please come quickly!”

Kane’s eyes, accusatory, landed on Cynthia. “I’m on my way.”

Cynthia, who heard everything, shook her head. “Same old tricks. Doesn’t she want to try other methods?”

Since childhood, Aurelia had a habit of faking self-harm when things didn’t go her way. It ranged from pretending to drown to slitting her wrists, but her favourite was pretending to overdose on pills. Less messy. Each time, she’d send their parents into a flurry, but she’d come out unharmed.

Kane looked at her as if she were the worst person ever. “You’re an animal. She is your sister!”

And yet.

Kane banged the door on his way out.

Over the years, he had consistently misjudged her, even when she tried to salvage the situation by being sincere. While they had gotten mated under unpleasant circumstances, Cynthia had thought it was possible to live civilly together. Soon enough, she realised he had no such intention. He had already made up his mind about what type of person she was and never gave her a chance to prove otherwise.

As she watched him leave, she wished he wouldn’t come back, that he’d remain by Aurelia’s side. It’d give her the freedom she so badly craved.

After he’d left, Cynthia found that he had instructed his bodyguards to stand guard at the house and keep her from leaving. They were under strict orders to follow her wherever she went.

He didn’t come back that day.

The next day, after returning from her morning run during which she was shadowed by three bodyguards, she came home to Harry’s screams.

He had a problem with the breakfast Anna made. “I don’t want it! I won’t eat! I want Mommy’s eggs!”

“Please eat a little,” Anna begged. “You have to leave for school soon.”

Harry pressed his lips together tightly and shook his head. Cynthia always made the twins’ meals. In her efforts to be the perfect mother, she had even taken a nutritionist course. She knew each child’s preferences like the back of her hand, and they always enjoyed her food.

When Cynthia walked into the house, Harry looked up, hope welling in his eyes.