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!”
