Chapter 40: Diabolic

Eden seethed, then forced his voice into something like reason. “He’s impotent and a cripple. What use is a pretty face if he can’t make you feel like a woman or give you children?”

Alicia’s expression didn’t flicker. “Why should I answer to you?”

Eden froze, the retort dying in his throat.

“I’m tired,” Alicia said, stretching with an exhausted sigh. “I’m going to my room.” She climbed the stairs and disappeared. Andy didn’t waste words; he simply turned and left.

Eden followed him outside. “Andy.”

Andy stopped and pivoted his chair, his face blank, his eyes empty of anything like warmth.

“We could still be best friends,” Eden said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “If you give in to me this once.”

“Who wants to be your friend?” Andy shot back, voice like ice.

Eden laughed instead of bristling. “You’re still the Andy I know. Even after losing your legs—and your manhood—you’re as hardheaded as ever. But how long can you keep this up? You and I both know you need allies, not enemies.”

Andy lowered his gaze, fingers tightening on the armrests until his knuckles whitened. He thought for a long beat, then looked up, narrowing his eyes. “Are you bargaining with me?”

“Smart,” Eden said, flashing a thumbs-up. His tone dropped. “You need my backing. If my family supports you, you might stand a chance. Without us? I doubt you’ll even keep your life. Choose wisely.”

Andy tapped the armrests, silent as tension thickened the air. At last, he said, “I don’t need your help.” He turned toward his parked car. “I’ll send you a wedding invitation in three days.”

Eden’s smile vanished. He snorted. “Don’t get too proud. You know your uncle. He won’t spare Alicia either. How will she feel when she realizes both your lives are in danger? Your uncle wants you dead more than the devil does.”

Andy’s face blanched, worry carving lines across his brow. He didn’t look back.

Eden pressed on. “You couldn’t even protect yourself from him, and you think you can protect Catherine? If you hurt her, I won’t forgive you. I’ll hate you more than your uncle if anything happens to her.”

Fear flickered in Andy’s eyes, but his voice held. “Nothing will happen to her.”

Eden watched with cold eyes as the car pulled away. He was about to leave when Winnie hurried over, calling sweetly, “Eden.”

She stopped in front of him, pouting. “You came to the mansion and didn’t even bother to ask for me. I’ve forgiven you—everything. Come to my room; I have something to discuss with you.”

She reached for his arm, but Eden stepped back, neatly avoiding her touch. “I don’t have time,” he said.

Winnie didn’t budge, blocking his path. “Just two minutes,” she pleaded. “Then you can go.”

Eden’s frown deepened, irritation sharpening his features. “Some other time,” he snapped.

He moved around her and started toward his car. He’d taken only a few steps when Winnie bared her fangs and hissed, “Catherine will never choose you over that cripple. She’s obsessed with him. I don’t even know what she sees in him. Just give up—she’ll never agree to be with you.”

Eden glanced back, his voice calm. “I’ll wait for her.”

Winnie’s eyes widened, shock and anger flaring. She stared at his retreating back in disbelief, muttering to herself, “Did Eden just say that?”

After everyone left, Alexander fixed Beatrice with a cold stare. He was done—tired of the spectacle she’d made. His voice was low and sharp when he spoke.

“Did you have enough fun? Or are you not finished yet?”

Beatrice said nothing. Silence stretched between them like a blade. Alexander’s jaw tightened.

“You always wonder why I never treated you the way I treated her. Fine—I’ll tell you. She doesn’t stoop to the things you do. She doesn’t start trouble. She doesn’t defy me just to make a point. She never makes me feel small as her husband. She knows what’s best for everyone. Above all, she isn’t selfish like you. You are everything I don’t want in a woman.”

Beatrice’s eyes reddened. “That’s enough, Alexander.”

“No,” he snapped. “You need to hear it. You’re heartless.”

She let out a cold, humorless laugh. “I’m heartless?”

Her lips curved in a bitter sneer. “Who’s more heartless than you? After everything—after years of sacrifice—you married someone else. I waited and waited for you to see me, to see my love. And what did you do? You chose her. After all I gave, all I did—my sacrifices meant nothing.”

She paused, met his gaze, and spoke each word with a hard, deliberate calm. “Whatever monster I am today, you made me, Alexander.”

He shook his head. “No. You were always a monster. You just didn’t know it.”

“Mom? Dad?” Winnie’s voice drifted from the doorway. “What’s going on? I heard shouting.”

Alexander didn’t look at her. His eyes stayed on Beatrice. “Catherine did nothing to you. Leave that child out of your hate. Her mother is dead. That should be enough.”

He turned and walked away.

Beatrice watched his retreating back, her voice a low oath. “It’s far from enough, Alexander.”

Winnie glanced between them, confusion clouding her face. Then, remembering what Eden had told her, she pushed aside their fight and asked, “Mom… was Catherine’s mother diabolic?”