I stared at Alexander with deep disappointment. Once, I had admired his features as if they were a work of art, but now his face only filled me with disgust. All I could feel for him now was nothing but hatred.

Just as Alexander was about to speak, my sister cut him off. "My foot hurts, and so does my face. Could you check if it's swollen? I’m worried it might affect tomorrow's business event."

Upon hearing her pitiful voice, Alexander immediately turned his attention to her. Cassandra took advantage of the moment, collapsing into his arms. The slap I had delivered with all my might had left a stark handprint on her pale cheek, and tears were welling up in her eyes.

Looking heartbroken, Alexander gently wiped her tears away. I remember how he used to be kind to me when we were younger. Whenever I fell, he would help me up and comfort me in the same gentle manner. After all, we still spent our childhood together. However now, I couldn’t recall the last time he had shown me even a hint of that kindness.

His gaze was now icy and devoid of tenderness. "Apologize to your sister."

I lifted my chin, standing tall. "No!"

Alexander was clearly taken aback by my defiance. He never saw this day coming, did he? He was used to seeing me doing everything for him even though he was already disrespecting me. I was that stupidly in love, and God knew how much I hated myself for that.

During the time he despised me, my feelings for him had only grown. Because I cared for him deeply, I was always cautious around him, trying hard to avoid giving him any reason to dislike me. I offered him my genuine affection, terrified that he might reject me.

Despite my best efforts, nothing I did ever seemed to please him. Everything I did always seemed to fall short compared to what Cassandra did.

Always Cassandra.

Alexander’s initial surprise faded, and he returned to the couch, holding my sister close. As I began to walk away, I heard his warning. "Don’t make me angry, Natalie."

His bodyguard stopped me and escorted me back in front of them. Damn it! These people were both our men and yet they were only loyal to him. Now, I regretted giving him all the power in both our families and companies. He even honed them to be a sword pointing at my neck.

Alexander sat there, legs crossed, observing me with a detached air. The pressure in the room was palpable.

"Apologize to Cassandra," he repeated.

Cassandra flashed me a challenging smile before turning to my husband. "It’s okay. Natalie didn’t mean it."

When she uttered those words, Alexander looked at her with pity. "You’re too soft-hearted. You treat her well, but she’ll never see you as her sister."

He then turned a steely glare at me. "Anyone who hurts Cassandra will pay double."

I recalled a time from elementary school, just a year after I saved him when I had been cornered by older students who stole my money. Alexander had suddenly appeared, fiercely beating up the one who had kicked me. The boy who once protected me was now defending someone else.

And now, my defiant attitude had clearly angered him. It seemed like he was intent on teaching me a lesson. He signaled to the bodyguards to force me to kneel before them.

I gritted my teeth in anger. I had knelt enough before him already! And now he was forcing me to do these things all for a woman? If only he could put as much effort into our son!

As I bowed my head, Alexander’s expression softened slightly, as if he took some satisfaction in my submission.

A bodyguard stepped forward, raising his hand to strike me. But Cassandra intervened. "Alexander, she’s still my sister. Men can be too harsh, and I’m worried they might hurt her."

Then, after a pause, she continued, "If she really needs a lesson, I should be the one to teach it," Cassandra insisted.

At that moment, Alexander didn’t argue. The next thing I knew, Cassandra raised her hand and slapped me twice, her manicured nails cutting into my cheek. She looked at Alexander with a troubled expression. "Oh no, I’ve hurt Natalie. What should we do?"

However, Alexander snorted coldly. "She deserves it. You’re too kind, worrying about her even though she hurt you first."

The bodyguard let me go, and I clumsily fell to the ground. Alexander looked down at me with cold disdain. "You owe Cassandra an apology."

Owe her an apology? It was Cassandra who had first slandered Lucas! No one, not even a single person in the world should dare to taint my son's image! He was never a liar! Yet, as always, Alexander always took her side, no matter what.

I scoffed, "In your dreams! I hate you, Alexander!"

When I looked at Alexander, my eyes held nothing but intense hatred. The sight made him furrow his brow in confusion.

“Natalie, just do as you're told, and you can have whatever you want. I can accompany your son or give you the title of my wife.”

I had once longed for the legitimacy of being his wife. I wanted him to register our marriage, to publicly acknowledge our union. But he had always been seen with Cassandra, never with me. It was almost laughable how hard he tried to keep me by his side because of my position as the heir to Prestige Hotels & Resorts. Yet, everyone in the company knew that Cassandra was poised to take my place. Alexander's preference for her over me was clear to all.

Whenever I visited the company, I was barely acknowledged. Despite being the rightful CEO, my presence was overshadowed by Alexander’s. He handled the work, leaving me sidelined. I had once been recognized for my leadership skills and entrepreneurial acumen. But back then, I could not use my skills because of my absence in the company, and it was because of my focus on caring for Lucas. I didn’t regret prioritizing my son's health, but I regretted relinquishing my role at the company.

Now, Alexander was using his position to coerce and lure me back into submission. He even tried to bargain using this sham of a marriage. It was absurd. I braced against the pain on my face and met his gaze firmly. “No need, Alexander. As I said earlier, we’re done.”

Perhaps because I had loved him so intensely before, he couldn’t believe I was serious about leaving. He sneered, “What, are you trying to get my attention now? You think leaving will make me come running? Or are you just pretending that Lucas needs me to play with him again?”

I could hear the scorn in his voice, but before I could respond, Cassandra jumped in. “Natalie, stop deceiving Alexander. If Lucas were really dying, why would you be here alone?”

That was the last straw. “Shut up! You have no right to mention Lucas!”

Upon hearing how my voice rose, Cassandra flinched, hurt. “Okay, I won’t mention him then. Please, Natalie, don’t be angry with me.”

Seeing how my hostile attitude towards Cassandra had provoked Alexander, he chuckled coldly. He pulled out his phone and dialed his assistant, Dylan Carter.

To ensure I heard every word, he put the call on speaker. “Dylan, find out which hospital Natalie’s son is at. Stop his treatment immediately.”

His expression was one of calculated malice as if this move would somehow give him power over me. I managed a weary smile, resigned to the cruel game he was playing.

Minutes later, Dylan’s voice came through, hesitant and grim. [Mr. Edwards, I have bad news. Lucas passed away the day after you went to the mountains with Ms. Cassandra.]