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Chapter 17
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Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 18
Thinking back, Anathea realized that if Gregory ever found out she'd secretly taken photos of them, he'd probably make her delete every last one on the spot. That was how much he avoided being seen with her—whether at their wedding or now, during their impending divorce. It was no surprise that no one ever believed she was actually Mrs. Sinclair. Anathea smirked at the thought, but thankfully for her, none of that mattered anymore. She no longer cared about titles or labels. In a month, she'd be leaving the Sinclair family for good."Here, try my creamy white fish chowder!" Brisa suddenly said. Then, she clapped her hands, signaling a maid to bring over the dish. The rich, savory aroma filled the air immediately.The soup was a velvety blend of flaky white fish and tender potatoes, with hints of leeks and garlic, simmered to perfection in a creamy broth. Crisp pancetta added a subtle smokiness, while earthy mushrooms balanced the flavors. It was garnished with fresh chives.An
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 19
Brisa answered, "I was the one who asked Nat to come over and keep me company. I haven't seen her in so long, and I really missed her.""Oh, I see..." Isabel nodded, but she still looked a little puzzled. "But there was a well-dressed woman standing next to Gregory. Do you know who she is, Anathea?""A woman?" Brisa's expression darkened instantly.Anathea noticed the shift and tried to steer the conversation elsewhere, but Isabel beat her to it. "Yeah, and she even arrived with Gregory."Brisa's face turned serious as she looked at Anathea. "Wait a minute. I told Arnold to pick you and Gregory up together. How did you get here?"Anathea hesitated for a moment before answering honestly, "I drove myself."Brisa's brows furrowed as she snapped, "Unbelievable! That little brat actually left you to drive here alone?""Grandma, actually—" Anathea tried to explain, but Brisa cut her off. "Don't defend him!"Anathea rarely saw Brisa this angry, so she swallowed her words and stayed
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 20
"But—" Anathea wanted to say that now wasn't the time to expose her status. After all, the last thing she needed was more unnecessary trouble. The abduction incident still haunted her, and she never wanted to go through anything like that again."No buts!" Isabel cut her off without hesitation. "Anathea, you can't back down. Just think about it—you're gorgeous, you've got an amazing figure, and you carry yourself with absolute grace and elegance. That other woman is nothing compared to you!"Before she could continue, the sound of a gentle piano melody floated through the air.In the center of the garden, a woman in an elegant sky-blue gown sat at the grand piano on a stage surrounded by blue roses. Her slender fingers danced effortlessly across the black and white keys, each note forming a melody so mesmerizing that it seemed to take on a life of its own, wrapping around her before drifting outward.The beautiful rhythm resonated through the crowd, captivating everyone who lis
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 21
The crowd whispered among themselves, and someone could be heard saying, "Opening the first dance at Madam Eleanor's birthday party... That says a lot about how much she favors that young lady.""Absolutely. Just look at the way Madam Eleanor looks at her with pure admiration."Another chimed in, "And dancing with Mr. Sinclair himself? That has to mean something, right?""Isn't he a father? No one's ever confirmed who the child's mother is. What if it's her? What if she's the future Mrs. Sinclair?""She's stunning and incredibly talented. No wonder he's kept her out of the public eye. Anyone would want to protect a woman like that." Anathea listened to the speculative murmurs around her, her expression unreadable. However, Isabel was furious. She didn't care how talented or beautiful Natalie was—being a homewrecker was still disgusting.And now, Natalie had the audacity to take Gregory's hand and dance with him in front of everyone, as if declaring herself the rightful Mrs. Sinc
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 22
Isabel frowned when she heard the crowd praising Natalie and Gregory. She glanced at Anathea, only to notice the latter's unfazed expression. It was almost as if she was used to such commentary.An uneasiness settled within Isabel. She felt disgruntled as she recalled the time her ex-boyfriend had cheated on her. If she ever ran into the trollop who'd ruined her relationship again, she swore she'd make her pay.At that moment, Natalie took Gregory's hand and twirled around him before he pulled her in by the waist and dipped her. As she went down, she turned her face to Isabel and Anathea.Anathea narrowed her eyes when she noticed the territorial gleam and provocation in Natalie's gaze. It was as though Natalie was saying Gregory was so taken with her that Anathea no longer meant anything to him.However, Anathea remained straight-faced as she stared at Natalie, looking completely bored with the childish mind games the latter had cooked up.But Isabel's eyes widened, and her voice
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 23
The sophisticated champagne tower toppled over with a loud crash. The glasses shattered into pieces, and everyone in the crowd watched with abject horror as Isabel and Natalie lay on the ground.Save for a small cut on her face, Isabel was relatively unharmed by the broken glass thanks to her jacket. But Natalie wasn't so lucky; her face was fine, but her dress left much of her skin exposed, and the broken glass had left tiny cuts on her arms.The golden pink of the champagne mixed with blood formed a jarring sight."Nat!" Eleanor cried in alarm as she ran over to inspect Natalie's wounds.Anathea limped over to Isabel, who'd eased herself upright.Isabel seemed shocked as she gaped at Natalie's unmoving form on the ground. It was like she'd passed out. Isabel didn't remember being too forceful with Natalie. More importantly, she'd nearly lost a chunk of her hair courtesy of the latter's vicious grip.And yet, it was Natalie who'd blacked out from the fight, not Isabel. It was
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 24
Isabel hated herself for being so impulsive earlier. Natalie was the homewrecker, but by picking a fight with her, Isabel had made her look like the innocent damsel-in-distress destined to marry Gregory. The incident had also put Anathea in a precarious position with Gregory.But Isabel was sure of one thing—Natalie was the man-stealing whore who'd come between her and her ex-boyfriend. She couldn't believe Natalie would deny having done something like that and still dare to seduce Gregory! She should've known better than to see Gregory as her role model since she was young. Men were all the same after all!"Is Gregory blind or something?" Isabel seethed. "How could he leave an angel like you for a trollop like Natalie? Just thinking about it pisses me off! Ow, ow—Anathea, that hurts! Gentle dabbing, please!"Anathea dabbed an iodine-soaked cotton bud on the cut on Isabel's cheek. When she saw the latter wincing and gritting her teeth in pain, she chuckled. "You need to learn yo
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 25
"Mrs. Sinclair, we've straightened up the bedroom. Call us if you need anything else," the maid told Anathea.Anathea nodded slightly in response. When the maids left, she opened the bedroom door.It had been a month since she'd last stayed at the Sinclair residence. She recalled how Gregory had left her alone in the room after he'd gotten a text from Natalie and rushed to the airport to pick up the latter. After that, he hadn't come home for the night.Anathea had even had to cover up for him when Brisa had asked about it, saying he'd gone to take care of urgent matters at the company. Anathea had known that he was catching up with Natalie, rekindling old sparks and setting sheets ablaze with their passion and yearning.Anathea figured Gregory wouldn't return to the Sinclair residence for the night. He was likely guarding Natalie's bedside and nursing her injuries. He probably wouldn't let anyone else take care of his precious first love.She couldn't care less where he spent the
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Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 166
This had been the most relaxing day since Hannah had wrapped up her latest project.But the moment she spotted a black Bentley parked just ahead, her heart, which had finally settled, suddenly shot up into her throat. Her grip on Anathea's arm tightened instinctively."What's wrong?" Anathea stopped and looked at her in confusion."I, uh… just remembered I've got something urgent to take care of." Hannah's tone sounded a little awkward.But Anathea didn't think much of it. Given Hannah's line of work, sudden plans were common. "Okay, go ahead. I'll get the markers for Chloe myself.""Oh, can you also take Chloe home? Don't let her sneak out." Hannah grasped her hand, looking serious. "You know how scary some obsessed fans can be. If they found out I had a daughter…""Don't worry. I understand." Anathea nodded. "I'll take her home and be with her. She'll be safe."The apartment's security was tighter than the hospital's."Thanks, Thea." With that, Hannah turned and walked off. S
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 165
Anathea was surprised herself. Before she'd found out about the pregnancy, her morning sickness had been unbearable, but now that she knew, it had gradually faded. And after she'd left Castenea, it had almost disappeared completely.When she was pregnant with Xander, she'd been violently sick. It was so bad that she'd ended up in the hospital multiple times. Toward the end of the pregnancy, it felt like her body was being torn apart by the chaos inside her.So, after seven months of carrying Xander, Anathea had been mostly confined to bed since she couldn't move around much.This baby, however, was far calmer. That was why Anathea guessed that it was a girl.Hannah thought so too because she'd experienced something similar when she'd been pregnant with Chloe."Looks like she's looking out for her mom." Hannah smiled as she glanced at Anathea's belly.After a brief pause, she leaned in closer to Anathea and asked, "She's such a sweet little angel. Are you really going to give he
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 164
The air reeked of blood. Gregory's eyes turned red with fury.Pain was the fastest way to awaken a man's buried hunger. And in that moment, it brought every dark instinct inside him roaring back to life."Anathea."Gregory kept saying her name over and over again, grinding it between his teeth. Even though every syllable scraped raw against his heart, his eyes only burned with growing obsession for her."No matter where you run, I'll be right behind you. I swear it, Anathea. You're never getting away from me."…"Ah-choo!"While working on her floral arrangement at Syntherra, Anathea suddenly sneezed and quickly covered her mouth with her hand."What's wrong? Are you catching a cold?" Fiona asked gently while handing her a tissue."I don't think so. Someone's probably missing me," Anathea joked as she took the tissue."Bingo!" A lively girl's voice rang out.Just as Anathea found the voice familiar, the door to the ward swung open.In walked a girl dressed in a cool little
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 163
Back then, Gregory stared coldly at Anathea's face and felt that her smile was unbearably grating. Disgust had flashed in his eyes.With a derisive scoff, he spat, "You got what you wanted, Anathea. Are you happy now?"And as he watched the color and smile fade from her face because of his words, a twisted satisfaction washed over him—like some petty revenge had been served.Since he couldn't share her happiness, she would have to bear the brunt of his rage.Only now did Gregory realize how cruel and absurd his actions had been.How could he say those hurtful words, trying to pull an innocent person into the same abyss as him?Now, those very words had come back like a boomerang, plunging straight into his own heart.Gregory clutched his chest. The pain lanced through him so sharply he staggered.His phone crashed to the floor with a heavy thud."Mr. Sinclair!" Martin rushed forward to steady him. His voice was tight with alarm as he asked, "Are you all right? Should I call th
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 162
Gregory clenched his jaw tightly.Anathea had really left him.Martin spoke up cautiously, "Mr. Sinclair, the date on the divorce agreement is from a month ago."Gregory's eyes dropped to the bottom of the page.It really was a month ago. Anathea had planned to leave him a whole month ago.At that moment, Gregory stood frozen with his eyes cast down. It was like someone had hammered him to the ground, turning him into a statue.It felt like a claw had ripped straight through his chest.And then came the voice of the one to blame, whispering in his ear, "So, Gregory Sinclair, how does it feel? You've always had someone by your side. Suddenly, it's just you. And from now on, it'll always be just you."A crushing wave of emptiness slammed into him, drowning him instantly.Gregory gripped the divorce agreement so tightly that his fingertips turned white.And even then, he didn't realize that Anathea had left him something far worse than a farewell and divorce agreement.His phon
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 161
Martin's voice felt like a dull hum, buzzing in Gregory's mind, almost as if it were going to puncture his skull.Gregory's grip slackened, and the phone slipped from his hand."Mr. Sinclair!" Jenny saw what happened and quickly caught the phone. "What happened?"But Gregory didn't answer. He snatched the phone from her hand and strode straight for the stairs.Cyrus, seeing the urgency in Gregory's movements, was confused. He'd never seen Gregory so frantic, almost as if he were chasing something.In the garage, Dexter had just parked the car when he spotted Gregory walking toward him. Gregory's face was stormy, like a thunderstorm with gale-force winds, as though everything in his path could be torn apart.Gregory was in a foul mood.Dexter immediately felt a chill run down his spine. He stammered to greet Gregory, but before he could even open his mouth, the latter snatched the keys from his hand. Gregory then marched straight to the car and slammed the door shut.Dexter quic
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 160
"Speed up," Gregory said suddenly.Dexter flinched in surprise and glanced uneasily at the current speed. It was already close to 60 miles per hour."Speed up!" Gregory ordered again."Yes, sir!" Dexter's heart skipped a beat as he pressed down harder on the gas.What was originally a 30-minute drive was cut down to 15.By the time Dexter finally brought the car to a stop, his facial muscles were twitching, and his right foot wouldn't stop shaking.Cyrus looked surprised when he saw Gregory. "Mr. Sinclair?"Gregory rarely came back this early.Gregory stepped out and slammed the car door shut behind him with a loud bang. His heavy footsteps echoed as he strode into the house."When was the last time Anathea came back here?" he asked."About a week ago. She hasn't returned since the day she left." Cyrus was confused. "Is something wrong?"Something was very wrong.That meant ever since that night Anathea had walked out, she hadn't come back. If it hadn't been for that whole
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 159
As Gregory watched Xander's face scrunch up in distress, he was at a loss.Because of his busy work schedule, he rarely had time to spend with Xander. To him, Xander was just someone he was connected to by blood. There wasn't much emotional attachment beyond that.As the CEO of Sinclair Group, Gregory could handle major projects and manage relationships with shareholders and directors with ease, but he had no idea how to handle a crying child. Right now, watching Xander cry so hard, he didn't know what to do.Xander continued sobbing while repeating, "I want Mom! I want Mom! Did I make her angry? Is that why she doesn't want me anymore?"Gregory's head was pounding from the sound of Xander's crying. He glanced at his phone and saw that Anathea still hadn't responded to his message.What was going on with her?A cold anger formed at the edges of Gregory's brow.Could Anathea really be so heartless that she didn't care about Xander at all? If she didn't care about Xander, did that
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 158
Gregory's expression darkened in an instant. He quickly stood up and called the family doctor, Mateo Nielsen, to head over to Xander's location.When they arrived at Natalie's house, they found Xander collapsed on the floor. His face was flushed bright red."Xander!" Gregory rushed forward and lifted him into his arms. When he checked Xander's forehead, he found it burning hot.Xander had a fever."Dad…" Xander weakly opened his eyes. His throat felt like it was on fire, and his whole body ached.Usually, when he felt like this, Anathea would be by his side. She would stay up all night to care for him and check his temperature again and again.He suddenly missed her. "Where's Mom? I want… Mom…"Gregory didn't respond. Instead, he handed Xander over to Mateo, who quickly started checking his temperature and running tests."Mr. Xander has been eating too much unhealthy food lately, which caused an infection and triggered this high fever," Mateo explained. He gave Xander an inject
