Clearly, Hendrix hadn’t expected Cordelia to say that. His brows tightened instinctively.

“Della, if you want the villa, I can give it to you. Why make things difficult for me?”

“Difficult?” Cordelia replied with layered meaning. “I’m your wife. Asking you to choose between me and Maya—does that really count as difficult?”

He had no response. His expression gradually turned cold.

She let out a faint, mocking laugh.

‘What? Wasn’t he always good at acting? Why stop now?’

A moment later, he tossed out one last line.

“You’re in a bad mood. I’ll stop bothering you. Get some rest.”

And then he got up and went to the guest room.

Cordelia didn’t care in the slightest. She took out her phone and contacted her lawyer.

The lawyer said that with Hendrix’s signature, she could end their marriage at any time.

The next morning, she mailed the divorce papers to the lawyer and officially entrusted him with the process.

Maybe she hadn’t slept well the past two days because a wave of dizziness suddenly washed over her.

Since Hendrix wasn’t home, the housekeeper noticed her condition and quickly told the driver to take her to the hospital.

After the examination, the doctor told her that she was in early pregnancy and must take in enough nutrients.

Cordelia ate a little something and was about to leave when Hendrix called.

She rejected the call immediately. But the next second, his voice came through the elegant diamond watch on her wrist.

“Babe, why did you go to the hospital? Is something wrong with the baby?”

Cordelia froze. Only then did she realize she had worn the watch out of habit that morning.

It was a gift from Hendrix after he learned she was pregnant.

Besides telling time, it had tracking and call features.

Hendrix had said that because she was pregnant, he needed to know her location at all times, just in case.

When he personally fastened the watch on her wrist, the expression on his face had been even more solemn than when he put a ring on her finger at their wedding five years ago. She had cried so much over that moment.

Now that she was looking back, she realized he hadn’t done it for her or the baby’s safety at all. It was all for control.

Before she could speak, Hendrix said, “Wait for me at the hospital. I’m coming right now.”

Cordelia stiffened.

Why was he coming?

Did the staff tell him she wasn’t feeling well?

Was he… worried about her?

She dug her nails into her palm, forcing herself not to be foolish again.

No matter how convincing his performance was, she must never trust him again.

Ten minutes later, Hendrix arrived at the hospital carrying Maya in his arms. The moment he saw Cordelia, he said, “Maya accidentally cut her finger. She lost a lot of blood. The blood bank is in crisis. Luckily, you two have the same blood type. You should donate some for her.”

Cordelia froze.

“No.”

During her last prenatal checkup, the doctor had warned her repeatedly—she had severe anemia. She must take her medicine. Otherwise, both she and the baby could be in danger.

Hendrix had been right there at the time, even promising to supervise her medication.

And he already forgot?

Ignoring her refusal, he dragged her into the blood-draw room and ordered the nurse to take her blood.

Cordelia completely broke down.

“I’m pregnant! And I have severe anemia! I can’t donate blood!”

Hearing this, the nurse immediately said, “Sir, pregnant women can’t donate blood. It would endanger both her and the baby.”

Hendrix hesitated, but right then, the supposedly “unconscious” Maya suddenly opened her eyes and weakly whispered, “Hendrix… my sister must still be mad at me. Don’t force her. Just let me die.”

Cordelia let out a cold laugh. She knew it—Maya was perfectly fine. She was just putting on another performance.

She didn’t want to watch their act any longer and turned to leave, but Hendrix grabbed her wrist.

“Della, I know you’re mad, but this isn’t the time to throw a tantrum,” he said. “Maya is your sister. You can’t just watch her die.”

Cordelia finally snapped.

“She is not my sister! She is the daughter of a homewrecker!”

Maya had destroyed Helene’s life, leaving the lady unconscious. Even if Maya died, Cordelia would never donate blood.

But Hendrix didn’t give her the chance to refuse. He forced her into the chair.

“Della, it’s just some blood. It won’t affect you or the baby.”

Then he turned to the nurse.

“Draw it now. If anything happens to Maya, you’ll pay with your life.”

The McQuillens were one of Seattle’s most powerful families, and Hendrix was the heir. The nurse didn’t dare defy him and immediately picked up the needle.

Cordelia struggled desperately.

“Get away from me! Don’t touch me!”

But Hendrix pinned her down, his voice cold against her ear.

“If you want your mother to stay safe, give Maya your blood.”

Cordelia’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“You’re threatening me with my mom?!”

Hendrix didn’t respond, only urged the nurse again.

When the needle pierced her skin, Cordelia could almost hear her heart shatter.

In the end, the nurse drew two units of her blood.

Her vision blurred; her face turned ghostly pale, her lips drained of color.

Meanwhile, Maya—who supposedly needed the transfusion—looked perfectly flushed and healthy.

She leaned over and whispered in Cordelia’s ear.

“So what if you’re pregnant? If I want your blood, you’ll give it.”

Rage shot through Cordelia’s chest. She fainted on the spot.

At the sight, Hendrix’s heart tightened. He moved to pick her up, but Maya suddenly cried out, “Ahhh! Hendrix, my head hurts…”

Then she swayed dramatically and collapsed into his arms.

And just like that, Hendrix forgot all about Cordelia.

He picked Maya up and rushed out.

Cordelia had a terrifying dream.

In it, Hendrix had imprisoned her and forced her to give birth over and over again for him and Maya, turning her into nothing more than a walking womb.

The babies she carried for ten months and brought painfully into the world all called Maya “Mom.”

In the final scene of the dream, Maya and Hendrix walked into a wedding hall together…

“No!”

Cordelia jolted awake to find Hendrix sitting beside her.

Seeing her panic, he immediately grabbed her hand.

“Nightmare? Don’t be scared. I’m here.”

For a moment, she couldn’t tell dream from reality. She mumbled, “Hendrix… whose child am I carrying?”

His face froze instantly.

“Tell me,” she said coldly.

Hendrix quickly recovered and forced a gentle tone.

“Of course, it’s ours—our child. Don’t overthink it.”

Watching him fake that affectionate expression made her grind her teeth in hatred.

Compared to Maya, she despised him far more.

Just as she was about to slap him, Maya walked in, speaking in a soft, pitiful tone.

“Della… thank you for donating blood for me. I heard you fainted, so I came to check on you.”

Cordelia’s face turned cold.

“With acting skills like that, why don’t you become an actress?”

Hendrix’s brows tightened; his voice grew displeased.

“Maya came out of kindness. What kind of attitude is that? I’m the one who asked you to give her blood. If you’re mad, take it out on me.”

A flash of triumph flickered through Maya’s eyes. She bit her lip and whispered, “Hendrix, don’t argue with my sister. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have come.”

She stepped back as if to leave, then “accidentally” stumbled.

Seeing her about to fall, Hendrix rushed forward.

As he moved, he bumped into Cordelia’s IV line.

The needle jerked violently, stabbing deep into her vein. The pain twisted her entire face.

But Hendrix didn’t even glance at her.

He scooped up the “unconscious” Maya and carried her out of the room.

He didn’t return for three days.

During those three days, he didn’t call. He didn’t text.

But Cordelia knew exactly what he was doing.

He had taken Maya to France.

They held hands strolling down the Champs-Élysées, went shopping, and celebrated Maya’s birthday at a high-end restaurant.

She saw everything on Maya’s Instagram.

Cordelia wasn’t angry at all. In fact, she was grateful.

Finally, she had evidence of his affair.

She sent every intimate photo and video to her lawyer, asking him to fight for as much property as possible.

When Hendrix finally returned to the villa, Cordelia was in the yard burning the things he had given her.

Watching his gifts consumed by flames, he frowned.

“Della? What are you burning?”

Without even looking up, Cordelia answered, “Trash.”

Hendrix frowned. “If it’s trash, just throw it away. Why burn it?”

Cordelia gave a cold, mocking smile. Burning it was the only way to make something disappear completely.

Seeing that she didn’t respond further, Hendrix was about to ask more when he suddenly remembered something else.

“Oh, right, Della—your pregnancy didn’t come easy. For safety’s sake, from now on, don’t run around. Just stay home and rest.”

Cordelia’s breath caught.

So now he wanted to restrict her freedom?

A surge of anger nearly burst out of her chest, and she clenched her fists before she realized it.

But in the end, she forced herself to swallow it down.

‘Just three more days…’ she told herself inwardly.

In three days, she would expose his true face.

At such a critical moment, she couldn’t afford a fight. One wrong move could ruin everything.

Thinking this, Cordelia took a deep breath and pressed down her emotions. “Okay. I get it.”

Her calmness actually surprised Hendrix a little.

But he didn’t think much of it. Instead, he pulled a diamond necklace from his pocket.

“I picked this out just for you. Let me put it on you.”

Hit with one hand, give with the other—this had always been Hendrix’s tactic.

But she wasn’t falling for it anymore.

“I don’t like it,” Cordelia said flatly, her tone full of mockery. “Give it to Maya instead.”

Hendrix froze. “You’re still mad? Come on, how many times do I have to say it? There’s really nothing between me and Maya. I just—”

Cordelia nodded lightly, her expression unreadable. “You’re just her wonderful brother-in-law, right? I understand.”

Hendrix’s brows tightened. He wanted to explain more, but his phone rang.

He glanced at the caller and quickly picked up.

“A-Alright. I’ll be right there.”

After hanging up, he told Cordelia casually, “Something urgent came up at the company. I need to go over. You’re pregnant; get more rest. I’ll come back and keep you company when I’m done.”

Cordelia let out a cold laugh. He was using the same excuse every single time.

Not long after Hendrix left, a Telegram message from Maya popped up.

[Bitch, don’t think you’re safe just because you’re pregnant. The woman Hendrix loves is me. If I so much as crook my finger, he’ll leave you in a heartbeat and come running to me.]

Everything she said was the truth. Cordelia couldn’t deny it.

Maybe because she didn’t respond, Maya immediately posted a photo on her Instagram Story.

In the picture, the always-aloof, elegant Hendrix was kneeling on one knee, head down, tying Maya’s shoelaces.

The comments section exploded.

[Wow! Hendrix treats you like absolute royalty, Maya!]

[Obviously! Five years ago in Palau, if Maya hadn’t risked her life to save him during that diving accident, Hendrix would’ve died in the ocean!]

[No wonder he’s so devoted to her. So that’s the truth…]

Cordelia’s pupils constricted, and her heartbeat suddenly sped up.

She had been the one who saved Hendrix… so why was everyone saying it was Maya?

Her thoughts drifted back to five years ago.

At that time, her father had just brought Maya and her mother home and forced that illigitimate daughter to take Cordelia on a trip to Palau.

While diving, Cordelia had encountered Hendrix on the verge of losing consciousness.

He didn’t recognize her and signaled that he was out of oxygen.

She didn’t have much left herself, but she still gave him some without hesitation and dragged his exhausted body back up to the surface.

Once they reached shore, both of them fainted.

When she woke up, the doctor told her that her lungs had been severely damaged and she might never be able to dive again.

She was afraid Hendrix would blame himself, so she never told him.

But her silence simply gave Maya the perfect chance to steal the credit.

Maybe… that was why Hendrix fell for Maya.

Cordelia hesitated for a moment, then decided she needed to tell Hendrix the truth.

Not because she wanted him back. She just didn’t want Maya using this lie to do whatever she wanted anymore.

That night, the moment he came home, Cordelia said, “Five years ago, during that diving accident in Palau—I saved you.”