The man laughed softly, his tone filled with the certainty of someone in complete control. “Cordelia, you don’t get to choose.”

Her face drained of color, her fingertips going cold.

He was right. She didn’t have a choice.

If she refused him, she’d end up as a surrogate for Hendrix and Maya, spending the rest of her life trapped under their shadow.

So, she could only give birth to this child.

Thinking this through, she quickly made a decision. “I can give birth to this child, but I have one condition.”

The man nodded slightly. “Go ahead.”

Cordelia blurted out, “I want Hendrix ruined completely. And I want Maya in prison!”

Hendrix had played her like a fool, and Maya was the reason Helene ended up in a coma. Cordelia wasn’t going to let any of that go.

The man seemed to have anticipated her request. He agreed without hesitation. “As you wish.”

His voice had a strange, persuasive calm to it—an oddly reassuring presence.

Cordelia’s heart finally steadied a little. She wanted to ask who he really was, but his long, slender fingers made a small motion as he ordered the bodyguards in a cold voice, “Take her home. Drive carefully.”

It was as if he knew exactly what she was thinking. He lowered his voice and said, “Don’t worry. When the time is right, I’ll tell you who I am.”

Cordelia immediately asked, “When?”

“A week from now,” he replied. “At the wedding anniversary party you and Hendrix are hosting, I’ll make sure everyone sees who he really is.”

On the way back, Hendrix called her. She didn’t want to talk to him, so she hung up immediately.

A moment later, a Telegram message came in. [Della, it’s late. Why aren’t you home yet? Do you want me to come pick you up?]

Cordelia bit her lip, her face completely bloodless.

If this were before, she would’ve been touched.

But now…

Forget it. Since he loved to put on an act, she would play along.

After all, there was still one week left, and everything would be over.

The moment she stepped into the villa, Hendrix hurried over and grabbed her hand, his voice worried. “Della, where were you? Why are you home so late?”

Cordelia pulled her hand back and lied casually. “A friend was feeling down, so I stayed and talked with her a little longer.”

Hendrix didn’t question it. He just nodded, then noticed her swollen eyes. His brows immediately drew together, and he asked, “You were crying?”

His blue eyes were full of what looked like deep concern—an illusion of tenderness.

Cordelia froze for a second before denying it instinctively. “I didn’t.”

Hendrix obviously didn’t believe her and was about to keep pressing, but his phone suddenly rang.

He instinctively tilted the screen away from her, but Cordelia still caught a glimpse of the caller ID.

It was Maya.

Hendrix turned away to answer the call. “Okay, don’t worry. I’m leaving now.”

When he hung up, he told her, “There’s something urgent at the company. I have to go.”

He had used that excuse countless times.

Once, Cordelia would’ve just felt sorry he had to work so hard.

Now, she finally understood—it was all lies.

A quiet laugh slipped out of her, but it didn’t reach her eyes. Her face was full of mockery.

For five years, she had been nothing but a joke.

Lost in thought, she didn’t notice Hendrix coming closer until he leaned down, trying to kiss her.

She immediately turned her head away to avoid it. “Don’t you have to go to the office? Go on.”

Hendrix stiffened. She was acting strangely tonight.

But Maya was waiting for him, so he didn’t think too deeply. He just nodded. “Then rest early. I’ll come back and keep you company after I finish.”

With that, he left in a hurry.

Watching him walk away without hesitation, Cordelia felt tears surge up again.

So, loving someone could really be an act.

Not long later, she saw Maya’s new post on her Instagram Story.

[Anytime I need you, you’re always there. Thank you for giving me a sense of safety…]

The attached photo was a candid shot of Hendrix driving, his lips curved in a gentle smile.

Within minutes, a mutual friend commented. [Wow, Maya, are you in love? Your boyfriend is so handsome!]

Maya replied. [He’s not my boyfriend. He’s my brother-in-law!]

So two-faced.

She was basically publicizing their romance.

Had they counted on her being pregnant, so they had gotten this bold?

Cordelia bit her lips tightly, clenching her phone until her hand went numb before releasing it.

All her sweet memories with Hendrix flashed across her mind like a cruel slideshow.

Her heart felt as if being cut with blunt knives, pain making it impossible to breathe.

That night, she was almost sleepless until she drifted off in a daze at dawn.

She didn’t know how long she slept before she heard noise downstairs.

Moments later, Maya pushed open her bedroom door and walked in.

“Della, Dad heard you’re pregnant. He asked me to bring you some supplements.”

Cordelia stared at that fake and innocent face, her expression went cold. “Get out! You’re not welcome here!”

Unlike their usual back-and-forth arguments, Maya just pouted and nodded. “If my sister doesn’t want me here, I’ll get going now.”

She had just turned around when Hendrix stepped in to block her.

“Della.” His tone was displeased. “Maya came all the way here to see you. What kind of attitude is that? Apologize!”

Cordelia scowled angrily. No wonder Maya had been so “well-behaved” just now; it turned out she was playing the wounded-strategy act!

Too bad for her, Cordelia wasn’t buying it.

“I didn’t do anything wrong. Why should I apologize?”

Hendrix’s brows tightened slightly. This was the first time Cordelia had ever talked back to him.

Before, no matter what he said, she always responded with that mild, easygoing temper.

As he thought about that, his expression darkened, and his voice grew colder.

“Hey, did you eat something explosive today? Why are you speaking so harshly?”

The anger burning in Cordelia’s chest made it hard to breathe. She was about to speak when Maya cut in.

“Hendrix, my sister’s pregnant. It’s normal for her to be a little moody.”

Her gaze slid to Cordelia’s still-flat stomach. She tugged at the corner of her lips in a barely-there smirk—one full of meaning.

“Hendrix, don’t argue with her because of me. After all, the baby she’s carrying is yours!”

At those words, some of the tension left Hendrix’s face. He turned to Cordelia, saying, “If you’re not feeling well, then rest a little longer. Once dinner is ready, I’ll have the housekeeper call you.

“Maya’s here for the first time. I’ll show her around.”

With that, he turned and left with Maya.

Right before the door closed, Maya shot Cordelia a bold, triumphant smile.

Cordelia took a few long breaths, forcing herself to calm down. Then she printed out the divorce papers. She’d find the right moment to get Hendrix’s signature.

At the dining table, Maya was there, too.

Cordelia immediately noticed the table was covered with all of Maya’s favorite dishes.

There was no need to ask; clearly, Hendrix had told the chef.

Cordelia barely had an appetite to begin with. Seeing this, she turned to leave.

Suddenly, Maya spoke in a fake-sweet, mocking tone.

“Della, Hendrix asked the kitchen to make all this delicious food just for you. You should eat at least a little!”

Cordelia let out a cold laugh. “Yeah. You’d better not waste your dear brother-in-law’s thoughtful gesture.”

Hendrix immediately heard something was off. He frowned at Cordelia.

“Maya’s a guest. Of course, we should treat her well,” he retorted. “You’re the older sister. Why are you always picking on your younger sister?”

That blatant favoritism hit Cordelia like a knife straight to the chest. It hurt so much she could barely breathe.

A moment later, Maya pushed Cordelia down into a chair.

“Della, even if you’re not hungry, you still need to eat for the baby.”

Maya finished speaking and ladled her a bowl of creamy mushroom soup.

Cordelia had no intention of playing along with this fake sisterly act. She stood up immediately.

Maya grabbed her.

In the tugging, the steaming hot soup spilled all over Cordelia’s chest.

The pain shot through her, forcing a gasp out of her throat, her features twisting.

But Maya yelped instead, “Ahhh! It hurts!”

The next second, Hendrix rushed over, shoved Cordelia aside, and pulled Maya into his arms.

His voice was frantic. “Maya! Are you okay? Where did it burn you?”

Caught off guard, Cordelia stumbled, her lower back slamming hard into the table corner. She clenched her teeth from the pain.

But Hendrix didn’t even look at her. His eyes were full of nothing but Maya.

Because of that, he didn’t see the way Cordelia was staring at him unblinking.

The burning pain spread across her body, but none of it came close to the pain crushing her heart.

So this was it.

Even someone as always-calm as Hendrix could lose control when he cared about the woman he loved.

This was the difference between being loved and not being loved.

Noticing Cordelia’s stare, Maya raised a brow and met her eyes. A victor’s smile flashed across her face before she quickly switched to a pitiful expression.

“I’m fine, Hendrix. Go check on my sister instead. I think she got burned because of me.”

Hendrix paused, finally remembering Cordelia existed. He let go of Maya and walked over.

When he saw the red, swollen skin on Cordelia’s chest, he inhaled sharply.

“You’re this badly burned and didn’t say anything? Does it hurt?”

Cordelia let out a mocking laugh. The movement made the pain lance through her lungs.

“And what difference would it make if I said something?”

Would Hendrix worry about her?

No. He wouldn’t.

Since that was the case, why humiliate herself by asking for his concern?

When he heard her sarcasm, Hendrix’s expression shifted. His tone softened.

“Maya’s visiting for the first time. I just didn’t want her getting hurt and having your father blame me when she goes back, so I…”

“Is that so?” Cordelia cut him off. “Then you really are a great brother-in-law.”

She didn’t want to watch his performance any longer. She turned and headed upstairs.

A few minutes later, Hendrix walked into the bedroom with a medical kit. His voice was earnest this time.

“Hey, I’m sorry. I really messed up just now. I shouldn’t have overlooked you. I promise it won’t happen again.”

Cordelia stayed silent, staring at him with a cold expression.

If she hadn’t already learned the truth, she might’ve actually believed he’d just been careless for a moment.

But now, she didn’t feel even a trace of being moved—only hatred.

Seeing she wasn’t talking, Hendrix assumed she was still upset. He softened his tone.

“No matter what happens from now on, I’ll always put you first. Please forgive me, okay?”

Looking at his earnest expression, Cordelia suddenly remembered the day the embryo transfer succeeded.

He had gazed at her with the same tender eyes and made a solemn promise.

“Babe… you’ve suffered so much.

“You went through hell and finally got pregnant with our baby. I swear I’ll take care of you for the rest of my life. I’ll never let you down.”

Those words still echoed in her ears, but now, they felt like nothing but mockery.

A wave of crushing disappointment washed over her. Exhausted, Cordelia closed her eyes.

Hendrix thoughtfully helped her lean back against the bed, his voice unbelievably gentle.

“Let me clean your wounds. If it hurts, just tell me, alright?”

Cordelia’s lips curled into a mocking smile.

No matter how much it hurt, it would never hurt more than her heart.

With his eyes lowered, Hendrix carefully tended to her wounds, his expression serious, with hints of distress and guilt flickering in his gaze.

When he finished, Cordelia still didn’t open her eyes.

He immediately assumed she had fallen asleep. He gently pulled the blanket over her and quietly walked out.

As soon as the door shut, Cordelia opened her eyes, her gaze cold and clear.

A moment later, the roar of a sports car engine came from outside.

She turned her head toward the window—just in time to see Hendrix’s red Ferrari driving out of the garage.

In the passenger seat sat Maya, smiling sweetly like a blooming flower.

Hendrix had once said that the passenger seat was reserved for his wife.

And now… he actually…

Cordelia let out a self-mocking laugh.

His whole heart belonged to Maya. Why would she expect something as small as a passenger seat?

Everything he said and did had only been to deceive Cordelia.

At that moment, her heart felt like it was being sliced open.

It was nearly dawn when Hendrix finally returned. His handsome face was slightly flushed with alcohol, and he carried a faint trace of a woman’s perfume.

She didn’t want to pretend with him. She stayed in bed, feigning sleep.

Soon, the mattress dipped beside her.

Hendrix wrapped an arm around her from behind, his scorching hand slipping under the hem of her nightdress.

Cordelia immediately grabbed his hand and flung it away.

This was the first time she had ever rejected his advances.

Hendrix froze, his voice hoarse.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t want to,” she said bluntly.

He let out a low chuckle.

“Seriously, you’re jealous, aren’t you? Maya’s your sister. You’re pregnant, and it’s hard for you to move around, so as her brother-in-law, I figured I should make sure she gets home safely.”

After that, he picked up the chicken noodle soup on the nightstand, his voice gentle.

“The housekeeper said you barely ate today, so I picked up your favorite chicken noodle soup.”

Just then, Cordelia’s phone buzzed. It was a message from Maya.

[Hey, Della, I figured you were so mad you didn’t eat, so I asked my brother-in-law to bring you food.]

[We even tasted it for you. It’s so good! Eat more, okay?]

The provocation couldn’t be more obvious. Maya couldn’t hold herself back anymore, huh?

Cordelia bit down hard, forcing herself to stay calm.

Hendrix noticed nothing. He scooped up a spoonful of soup and held it to her lips.

“Come on, eat a little. Don’t starve the baby.”

The word “baby” stabbed into Cordelia like a knife.

She pushed him away. Her voice was completely devoid of warmth.

“I don’t want to eat.”

The bowl slipped from his hand and spilled onto the floor. Hendrix’s expression darkened.

“You’re still mad?” He sighed. “Della, what do you want me to do for you to forgive me?”

Suddenly, something came to Cordelia’s mind. She opened the nightstand drawer and pulled out the divorce papers, flipping straight to the last page.

“There’s a villa I like. Buy it for me—as an apology.”

Hendrix’s face lit up immediately. Without hesitation, he signed his name.

“Is that enough? If not, I can—”

Cordelia cut him off.

“One more thing. I want you to promise you’ll never have contact with Maya again.”