Chapter 7

Cyan wasn't sure how long she sat motionless on the bed, staring into the void. After Zach stormed out, she did nothing but weep until her chest felt hollow. She felt as though the sheer weight of the sorrow enveloping her heart might actually kill her.

When she finally calmed down, she slowly emerged from the room and headed to the kitchen for a glass of water. The entire mansion was silent. It seemed Zach had no intention of returning tonight after their explosive confrontation. She assumed he had gone straight to Laureen.

After drinking, she turned to head back to her room but nearly collided with Zendaya in the living room. She was already in her pajamas, clutching the teddy bear Laureen had given her.

"I heard you and Dad argue a while ago," Zendaya began.

Cyan remained silent. She had no desire to reproach the child for her lies; she knew Laureen was the puppet master behind Zendaya’s actions. She knew Zach was intelligent, but she couldn't fathom why he was so blind to the malice of the woman he was infatuated with.

"I'm tired, Zendaya. I'm going to rest. Go to sleep," Cyan said tonelessly.

Zendaya arched an eyebrow. "If you're tired, why don't you just annul your marriage with Daddy? No one wants you here anyway. Why do you keep forcing yourself into this house? Are you really that dumb?"

Cyan squeezed her eyes shut, centering herself. "You don't understand the reasons why I’m here, Zendaya," she replied softly.

"Really? I heard you say earlier that you like Dad."

Cyan was momentarily stunned. Zendaya must have eavesdropped on the entire conversation. There was no point in lying now.

"Aren't you ashamed? Daddy doesn't like you. Auntie Laureen was right—you're a desperate woman. I bet if Daddy actually noticed you, you’d try to steal him away from me."

"I have no intention of stealing Zach from you. I simply told him how I felt. You don't have to worry. The day will come when you won't have to see me here anymore."

Zendaya paused. The thought of Cyan vanishing from their lives sparked a visible excitement in her eyes. "Really?"

Cyan felt a sharp pang in her heart. There wasn't even a flicker of hesitation or longing in Zendaya’s expression at the thought of her leaving. The girl was right—the longer she stayed, the more desperate she felt, and she was starting to feel ashamed of herself.

"Yeah," Cyan answered briefly.

"That's good to hear. You should leave so Aunt Laureen can be my new mommy. Then the three of us will finally be happy," Zendaya said before turning her back and walking toward her room.

The heaviness in Cyan’s chest intensified. She reached her room and caught sight of herself in the full-body mirror. She stared at her reflection for several minutes. Her eyes were puffy, and she looked gaunt. She didn't recognize this woman. The spark in her eyes had died, and her beauty was being swallowed by exhaustion.

Just as she lay down, her phone chimed. She opened the message to find a photo—not just any photo, but one of Zach and Laureen sharing an intimate kiss in bed.

Cyan’s grip on the phone tightened as a cold, sharp rage began to bloom in her heart. She hit the delete button, erasing the image entirely.

The next morning, Cyan overslept. When she finally stepped out of her room, she was greeted by the sight of Laureen. The woman’s expression was already twisted with irritation.

"What time is it, Cyan? Why are you just waking up now? Shouldn't you be looking after Zendaya before she leaves for the academy?" Laureen snapped.

Cyan studied Laureen’s face for a moment before raising an eyebrow. "Don't you want to play the part of Zendaya's mother? Why don't you try taking care of her yourself? Prepare her breakfast and take her to school."

Laureen faltered at Cyan’s tone. She knew Cyan usually fought back, but there was a new, dangerous edge to her voice. Still, Laureen had no intention of being outdone.

"Don't worry, I already did. And starting from now, I'll be the one taking care of her—and Zach too."

Cyan took a deep breath and shrugged her shoulders. "Fine. Suit yourself," she said, moving to walk past her.

Laureen, stunned by the dismissal, reached out and grabbed Cyan’s arm roughly. "Are you mocking me, Cyan?" she hissed, her eyes narrowing.

Cyan looked down at Laureen’s hand, then met her gaze with icy calm. "Get your filthy hands off me, Laureen."

A smirk played on Laureen’s lips. "And what are you going to do if I don't?"

Cyan didn't waste breath on words. She grabbed Laureen’s hand and twisted it with a sudden, forceful wrench. Laureen let out a sharp cry of pain. Not finished, Cyan shoved her away with such force that Laureen stumbled back against the staircase railing.

"I didn't actually hurt you last time, yet you ran to Zach and fed him lies. Well, now you actually have a story to tell him," Cyan said, her voice like steel. "Run to my husband, Laureen. Tell him exactly what I did to you today like a crybaby…”