I had thought Cedric would put me up in some star-rated hotel, but instead, he took me to his house.
The interior had a minimalist Italian style, and from the floor-to-ceiling windows, you could see the bustling city, always alive with activity.
Even if I was a fool, I was still an adult. I didn't want to define Cedric's intentions as "ill-willed," but we weren't yet at a level where we could share the same room.
"Mr. Linton, sorry to trouble you for so long,"
I managed a weak smile. "I'm feeling much better now, so I won't take up any more of your time." Cedric didn't speak.
His heavy breathing came from behind me, an unignorable pressure building. I turned, my hand on the doorknob, wanting to leave, but he reached out to stop the door from opening.
The deep voice from behind was a quiet command. "When are you getting a divorce?" I took a deep breath and replied calmly, "That's a personal matter. I don't feel comfortable discussing it with you."
Cedric, as though he couldn't understand the concept of boundaries, repeated in the same indifferent tone:
"When are you getting a divorce?"
I tried to suppress the surge of anger inside me, my voice low but firm, "Cedric, we're not close. Do you understand that you're crossing a line?"
"Yamilet, when are you—"
"Can you not understand what I'm saying?" I turned to glare at him, cutting him off. "What are you to me? What does it matter to you? Is my situation such an entertaining joke for you? Have you become so desperate that you're resorting to selling your rival's gossip for a profit? How much can those paparazzi pay you? Should I just turn you in right now?"
"You should get a divorce."
Cedric stared at me stubbornly, as though he wouldn't give up until he received a definitive answer from my lips. I finally surrendered.
There were no heart-wrenching screams, no hysterical outbursts.
I heard my voice, laced with burning hatred and sorrow.
"Why should I divorce him?"
"Why let them have their way?" Cedric paused for a moment, a flicker of anger crossing his eyes.
"Back in June, Vivienne made soup for Aldric, but he refused. They argued, and in the process, she burned her hand. Aldric took her to the office to bandage it."
"In July, during the wrap party, Vivienne was sexually harassed by the director. Aldric flipped the table and hit him, nearly causing a scene at the police station."
"That's enough."
"That's enough!"
"In August, Vivienne fell from a horse while filming a scene and broke her leg. Aldric, who was with you at the time, rushed to the hospital under the excuse of company business—"
"Stop talking!"
"Are you insane?"
I felt the blood rush to my head as my protective shield was ripped away, revealing the fearful and ugly truth of who I was beneath it all.
I slapped Cedric hard across the face, not holding back in my rage. His cheek quickly turned red and swollen, yet he continued to look at me without breaking his gaze.
"I know!"
Tears I had been holding back for so long finally poured out, no longer contained.
"I know everything."
"No one is a fool."
But I had loved him with every part of me for so many years.
I had to pretend to be deaf and blind, pushing myself to the edge of madness just to cope.
