Chapter 7

Deceived?

How could Cedric ever be deceived in love?

Once he fell in love, there was no chance for anyone to trick him. He would willingly carve out his heart and offer it up himself.

"Josie, my marriage with Cedric… it's over." Lizzie rubbed at her temples.

"Madam." The housekeeper's chest tightened. "Are you saying you mean to divorce Sir?"

"If I filed first, before he cast me aside, maybe I wouldn't look so pathetic. But I know, unless he's the one to propose divorce, I'll never walk away clean."

She wasn't sure if Josie truly understood. A marriage gone sour was a tangle far too complicated.

Lizzie gave a bitter smile. "From now on, don't treat Susan with hostility. She'll be the mistress of this house eventually. It's only a matter of time."

The words cut deep, but Josie could do nothing. She was only a servant.

"Yes, Madam. I understand."

When the housekeeper withdrew, Lizzie went upstairs. With Cedric away, she planned to quietly pack what she would take.

After their marriage, he had given her endless jewels, clothes, and shoes of staggering value. In return, she had gifted him luxury watches worth millions.

She would leave behind everything he had given her. But what she had given him, she intended to reclaim.

She was zipping her suitcase shut just as Cedric walked in.

His brows furrowed. "What's this? Running away from home again? Lizzie, must you keep this up? You hurt Susan today. You were the one at fault. And now, you have the gall to throw a tantrum?"

Lizzie met his gaze with quiet calm.

"You're overthinking. I have a business trip in a few days. I'm just preparing early."

He didn't question it. Truthfully, he was too consumed with other thoughts to dwell on why she was packing.

He cleared his throat, his eyes like cold steel. "Lizzie, I don't understand why you harbor so much hostility toward Susan. Even if you don't like her, today was her birthday. Would it have been so hard to not humiliate her? I really don't understand you anymore."

His words were rebuke.

Disappointment pricked at her heart, but she refused to defend herself. Even if she did, he wouldn't believe her.

When she gave no response, Cedric's expression darkened. His voice carried even sharper censure.

"Is it because she's living under our roof, dependent on us, that you bully her? Lizzie, can you act like a normal person? Look at yourself… what have you become?"

"What should I be?" Her brows knit as she stared into his glacial eyes. "Tell me, Cedric. What do you want me to become, so you'll finally be satisfied?"

"You promised me you'd take good care of her. You even agreed to this birthday party… So why go back on your word—" He grabbed her wrist in agitation, but the words died on his tongue when he noticed the blood-soaked handkerchief wrapped around her finger.

His focus shifted instantly. "You're hurt… Why didn't you get it treated? You just simply wrapped it… What if it gets infected?"

Lizzie pulled her hand free. "It doesn't hurt."

"Still, you need to disinfect it." He fetched the first aid kit, taking out alcohol, gauze, and ointment.

With uncharacteristic patience, he treated her wound. His tone unconsciously softened. "Lizzie, we're supposed to be people who do good. Why create such a scene in front of everyone? What should have been charity turned into jealousy. What must others think of us? It reflects badly on the company."

Cedric felt like a stranger to her.

But Lizzie knew him too well.

His lips said "the company," but his heart had bled for Susan.

She couldn't tell what all his speeches were leading toward, and she no longer had the energy to care.

"Cedric, what do you actually want from me?"

He inhaled deeply, his eyes fixing on hers. "Lizzie, I can treat tonight as an accident. But Susan really is badly hurt. She's lying in the hospital with no one to care for her. Why don't you go keep her company? At least it will quiet the gossip."

His gaze dropped to her injured finger. A flicker of guilt seemed to pass through him. "It's just for show. You don't have to do anything. Let the reporters snap a few photos—that way the company's reputation stays intact. Don't you agree?"

Exhaustion washed over her.

She knew that if she refused, he would only escalate the matter. And that would complicate her eventual divorce.

Rebirth had stripped away her illusions. She no longer cared for his fierce devotion to Susan. What warmth he once held in her heart was freezing into ice.

"Fine," she said flatly.

Relief swept across his face. He tied off the bandage neatly. "Keep it dry. If it doesn't heal, see a doctor."

She said nothing.

"You're tired. Get some rest," he added.

…

The next day, Lizzie went to the hospital.

Susan's face bore fresh cuts, her head and arms swathed in gauze. Cedric sat at her bedside, speaking softly. When he saw Lizzie, he rose at once.

"You're here."

She gave a faint nod and handed him a box of tonic. "How is she?"

At the sight of Lizzie, Susan flinched, shoulders shrinking inward.

"Lizzie, did we… misunderstand each other? If I'd somehow offended you, tell me. If you don't want me living at your house, I can move out. I—I—"

Her voice quivered, her face the picture of fright and innocence.

Lizzie frowned. Before Cedric, such words only deepened suspicion.

In her past life, she had denied Susan entry to their home. Afterward, Cedric had hidden Susan away so thoroughly that clashes between them were rare. But Lizzie had known even then—Susan was not as simple as she looked.

No ordinary girl could manipulate a man like Cedric with mere tears.

A flicker of worry crossed his brow. "I've asked Lizzie. She didn't do it on purpose. You've misunderstood her."

For once, he spoke in her defense.

Lizzie's expression remained utterly calm, without a ripple.

Since he had spoken, Susan dropped the matter. She lowered her lashes demurely, but her gaze flicked to Lizzie's bandaged hand.

She gasped. "Lizzie, you're hurt too? Then I really did misunderstand you. Cedric, I'm so sorry. I was too petty. I deserve to be punished."

"A misunderstanding," Cedric agreed.

He came to Lizzie's side, his voice laced with concern. "Since you're already at the hospital, let me take you to disinfect that wound properly. It's simple, but I'd feel better."

"Lizzie hasn't treated it yet?" Susan pressed eagerly, her voice full of concern. "Cedric, this isn't something to ignore. Take her right away. She needs an injection too. If it turns into tetanus, it could be serious."

Her thoughtfulness clearly pleased him.

He took Lizzie's hand, intent on leading her out. "Come. Let's have the doctor take a look."

But Lizzie didn't move.

Gently, she withdrew her hand.

"No need. It's already healing."