Chapter 12 Mockery
‘Not completely off the mark, huh?
I gave him a half–smile, my voice laced with sarcasm. “Don’t assume everyone’s as indecent as you. Mr. Cavendish and I are both victims of infidelity. What’s so odd about us staying in touch after we found out?”
I paused before adding, “And Cadell, haven’t you always said I’m just a regular woman? Do you really think I’ve got the power to bring in all these reporters?”
My sarcasm was almost spilling over,
It looked like Cadell had bought my act. His brow furrowed, and he gave me that suspicious look of his. “We’ve been together for seven years. I suggest you get it together and stop making things worse for yourself.”
I met his gaze, coldness radiating from my eyes.
The man who had always been kind and polite to me for the past seven years was now showing his true, ugly face. “Everyone knows you’re just some worn–out piece of trash I’ve had my fill of. You honestly think you’ll find someone better than me after you walk away?”
I gave a cynical smile but didn’t say a word.
Cadell seemed to think he had me cornered, continuing. “You’re just an average woman. Becoming my wife was a huge break for you. If I were you, I’d shut up and cover up everything about me and Lorna. If not, I’ll get rid of you, and you’ll have nowhere to
turn.”
It was almost laughable. Did he honestly think I’d crumble without him?
I quickly took back my earlier comment–Cadell was just as clueless as I’d thought.
Had he forgotten that if I truly cared about being his wife, I wouldn’t have made a scene at the wedding?
Now he was threatening me with the status of his wife?
Did Cadell really think he was some sort of irresistible catch?
Please.
His words were utterly ridiculous, yet somehow, no one in the Hartman family seemed to find anything wrong with what he’d
said.
Well, of course not. To them, they were royalty, and I was just a commoner. They thought they could walk all over me without any
consequences.
Lucky for me, I never went through with marrying him. If I had, I couldn’t even imagine how disgusted I’d feel.
Lorna, on the other hand, was practically glowing, snuggled up to Cadell with a look of satisfaction. “I knew you were the one who truly cared about me.”
Cadell, clearly pleased with her trust, looked like he’d won some kind of medal for being the perfect lover.
Albert, ever the cold observer, sneered at me, “Cadell’s right. As long as you take care of the mess, I’ll forgive you for causing a scene at the wedding. But Aurora, think carefully. Don’t think you can go up against the entire Hartman family just because of Edmund Cavendish,”
The whole family closed in around me, their eyes filled with threats. They acted like I was trapped, helpless, ready to be crushed under their collective weight.
But…
Did they seriously think I was scared of them?
I tilted my head, a smirk playing on my lips as I glanced at Cadell. “Tell me, Cadell, among the reporters that just left, do you think anyone was arranged by me?”
His face immediately fell. His eyes narrowed, and his fists clenched.
I slowly unzipped my wedding dress, knowing full well how uncomfortable it had been to wear.
I had been prepared for this moment.
Beneath the wedding dress, I wore a sleek, fitted skirt. No way would I look awkward undressing in front of them.
Albert’s breathing hitched, his voice sharp with anger. “What’s this supposed to mean? You’re really going to pick a fight with our
family?”
I laughed. “Your family? You’ve been living the high life for just a few years, and now you think you’ve got it all? Just because you’ve climbed out of the gutter, you think you can start acting like those big families who crush anyone in their path?”
Albert’s face darkened, eyes flickering with anger.
I wasn’t about to engage with him. If I didn’t have something up my sleeve, I wouldn’t be here alone.
With a quick flick of my wrist, I threw my wedding dress right at Lorna. “You like wedding dresses so much? Here, take it. Enjoy”
The dress was heavy, custom–made, with sharp gems sewn into it. The moment it hit Lorna’s face, the gems cut her skin, blood dripping down.
Lorna didn’t seem to notice the pain, staring at me in confusion. She clearly didn’t understand why I was daring to challenge the
Hartman family.
But I wasn’t her. I didn’t need a man to survive, and I wouldn’t sell myself out for money.
Cadell was beyond furious, his face contorted with rage. “Aurora Wenmir, do you have any idea what you’re doing? You really want to make this ugly, don’t you? If you release that video, I’ll make sure your mother can’t get any treatment. No hospital will
take her in!”
I couldn’t help but laugh, the irony too much to resist. “You honestly think I’m scared of your threats?”
Cadell was practically frothing at the mouth. “Fine, you asked for this! I didn’t want to do this to you, but now you’ve forced my
hand!”
I gave him a cold look, curious to see just how far he’d go.
Then he spat, “Since you won’t listen, then don’t even think about leaving this house! You’ll know the consequences of defying
me!
Haughed. “Just a friendly warning. If you lock me in here now, tomorrow, that uncensored video of yours will be everywhere.”
110 step in.
Albert furrowed his brow, trying to step in. “Don’t even
long as I’m here, that video won’t ever see the light o hk you’ve won. I’ve already made sure the media is taken care of. As
day.”
I smiled, my eyes gleaming with amusement. When Cadell heard his father’s words, his confidence returned. “Dad, lock her up! She can stay locked up until she gets it together.”
Before I could respond, a few of the Hartman family’s personal servants moved in, as though they truly believed they could control me.
I couldn’t help but laugh! Cadell’s arrogance was beyond belief.
Did they really think they could force me to cover for their disgusting behavior?
Not a chance.
I smiled, listening as the sound of footsteps approached from a distance.
