Chapter 2

Cadence's silence only fueled Zayn's anger. Fury blazed even more ardently in his eyes.

He flung her off and wiped the hand that had touched her with a tissue in disgust. "What are you standing there for? Cassidy is still waiting for you to get her some water."

Cadence's steps toward the kitchen were slightly panicked. She poured a glass of warm water and placed it on the bedside table. Her hand couldn't help but tremble slightly.

"Thank you." Cassidy's voice was hoarse after a round of intense lovemaking. "I'll be in your care after this. Zayn said I can move in after this. We're all family. You don't mind, do you?"

Cadence froze for a moment before asking through gritted teeth, "He's lost his mind. Have you lost your mind too?"

Her slightly mocking tone provoked Cassidy, whose voice suddenly turned shrill. "That's right. I have indeed lost my mind! You've always been better than me. Everyone always loves you more. No one in our family ever cared about me!"

The bedsheets became crinkled from how hard Cassidy clutched them. "Only Zayn cares about me. But he only loved you! Even after being betrayed, he still insisted on marrying you!"

Jealousy filled Cassidy's tone as she cried, "You don't deserve this!"

Cadence let out a bitter laugh. "So you stooped so low as to climb into your brother-in-law's bed?"

"Even if it weren't me, someone else would eventually do that," Cassidy said blandly.

Then, she sat up and grabbed Cadence's hand. Her tone softened as she said, "The hospital called me. I know that you don't have much time left. Instead of letting some other woman take the position of Mrs. Ulrich, why not let me take care of Zayn in your place?"

"All my life, I've never fought with you over anything. Please relent this once. Let me be with him, Cadence," Cassidy pleaded.

Cadence shook her head. "You don't need my blessing."

Cassidy's expression became tense, but Cadence's following words made her relax. "He hates me so much. What could I possibly do to stop you?"

Cassidy picked up the glass of water and placed it into Cadence's hands while gently saying, "Then, help me one last time."

A wave of dread surged through Cadence's heart. She instinctively tried to pull her hand back, but Cassidy suddenly yanked it forward and splashed the entire glass of water onto her own face!

At the same time, she let out a piercing scream. "Ah! No!"

Zayn rushed through the door and saw Cadence standing at the bedside with the glass in her hand, and before her was a soaked Cassidy, who looked especially pitiful.

"Cadence, what the hell is wrong with you?" Zayn held Cassidy in his arms, looking at Cadence with disgust. "Cassidy is your sister!"

Cassidy burrowed herself into his embrace, choking back sobs. "Zayn, don't scold Cadence… She was just too shocked…"

"Stop being a fool! Why are you still defending her when she's been nothing but horrible to you?" Zayn said in exasperation.

He looked down and said softly, "Don't worry. As long as I'm here, no harm will befall you."

Cadence snapped out of her daze and looked at the affectionate scene before her. She felt an icy chill rise in her chest.

She turned and walked away, leaving behind that sickeningly sweet scene without looking back.