Chapter 89

Though Cedric couldn't make out what Douglas had said, the man's gentle tone, paired with Liliana's soft replies, sounded like flirting. It was a stark contrast to the cold, clipped way she had been speaking to him lately.

Her current reaction was even more telling. "Cedric?!" she hissed, her voice low and furious. "What are you talking about? Let go of me!"

She never imagined anyone else would be in the pitch-black room. She struggled, but the more she moved, the tighter his grip became.

"Letting a man into your home in the middle of the night? Have you forgotten you're a married woman?" Cedric released her waist only to seize her wrists, twisting her around to face him. She was now straddling his lap, their bodies pressed together, his scent overwhelming her.

"Douglas is not as disgusting as you are! He's a gentleman!"

"Disgusting?" Cedric's voice was laced with ice. "I'll show you what disgusting is." He tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze, and crushed his mouth to hers. Liliana's heart leaped in panic. She fought back. "Aren't you afraid they'll hear?!" Cedric paused, his expression hardening. "What? Your precious Douglas is a gentleman, but I have to hide in the shadows?" He had every right to be here. This was perfectly legal.

"Who's the one who's been hiding things? I've been married to you for two years! Have you ever once acknowledged me as your wife in public?"

Cedric remained impassive, dismissing her accusation. Would publicly announcing their marriage two years ago have changed anything? Would it have stopped Chuck from manipulating her, from using divorce as a threat?

"If you want the title, you have to be worthy of it!"

The darkness couldn't shield her from the humiliation of his words. Her cheeks burned as he trampled on her dignity yet again.

A sense of reckless despair washed over her. "Of course I'm not worthy. I'm not worthy of being your wife, or a designer, or even being alive. So why did you marry me in the first place?"

A slight tremor entered her voice at

the end. For a fleeting moment, Cedric's resolve wavered, but he quickly regained his composure He was immo mood to hear her dramatics and justifications while she was cozying up to Douglas. Douglas, of all people. It was an insult.

"Did you think I wanted to?" he retorted, abruptly releasing her. He stood up and smoothed the wrinkles on his trousers, his every movement radiating disgust.

His words were like a wad of cotton lodged in her throat. Silent tears began to fall. Suddenly, she was grateful for the darkness. She didn't want him to see her cry, especially not over him.

Cedric finished adjusting his clothes

and turned to leave. Just as he

pulled the door open a crack, she grabbed his sleeve. A sliver of light cut through the darkness

illuminating her face. Her eyes were

red-rimmed, but her gaze was

resolute. "If you didn't want to marry me, then divorce me!"

She wouldn't dare. That thought had once been an unshakeable certainty in Cedric's mind. But now, he wasn't so sure.

"What gives you the right to demand a divorce from me?" His question wasn't just about her lower social standing; it was about his belief that she was overstepping, that she should be grateful for marrying him and content with her lot.

er

Liliana's fingers tightened on his sleeve. "When you were planning Sylvia's birthday surprise, did you spare a thought for me, your wife? When you were seen with her. everywhere, did you remember you were a married man? When I was in the hospital after the car accident, nearly dying, while you were with her, didn't you think you'd gone too far? And now, you let her move in here. Did you forget this is our marital home? I designed every brick every corner of this place and she can destroy it all just because she 'doesn't like it.' And she plans to pay for it with your black card-our joint marital asset! With all of that, you still think I don't have the right to ask for a divorce?"