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Chapter 70
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Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 71
Anathea watched Xander, trying to read something from his face.But Xander just blinked at her, his gaze unwavering as he held the cup of water up to her.When she didn't respond, he called again, "Mom?"Anathea snapped out of her thoughts, her expression softening slightly. "Thank you."The water was still warm.She took her medicine with it, and Xander handed her a handkerchief to wipe the water from the corner of her lips.He held the handkerchief, his movements a little clumsy but careful.Anathea was momentarily stunned."All done," Xander said, smiling.These small, thoughtful gestures felt almost unreal to Anathea, so she asked, "Did you have something you wanted to talk to me about, Xander?"At her words, Xander nodded. "Yes!"Anathea's chest tightened as she braced herself for the possibility that he might say something unintentionally hurtful again.After all, at the hospital, he had told her right to her face that he wanted her to divorce Gregory, that he wanted
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 72
Ever since Xander started school, he had changed quite a bit. Anathea wondered if their bond as mother and son could be mended slowly.But that was just a pipe dream.However, Hannah took a more realistic approach and warned her, "Thea, you need to remember that Gregory is Xander's father. He's a Sinclair. Realistically speaking, how much of a chance do you think you have of winning custody against the Sinclairs?"Even if Anathea wanted to fight for custody, and even if she was willing to go through legal means, the financial and emotional cost would be overwhelming.Right now, she already had her hands full taking care of Fiona and managing her own job—she didn't have the time or energy for a custody battle."I know you went through so much to give birth to Xander, and you've poured so much love into raising him all these years. But you've given enough, Thea. If he truly felt that love, then he wouldn't be so close to a woman who's been trying to destroy your family. I think you
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 73
"Ms. Whitman will be undergoing surgery tomorrow. I folded her 99 paper cranes, symbolising my hope that everything goes well. I wonder whether she'll like it. Mom, if she doesn't like it, can you teach me something else…" Anathea stopped listening to the rest of Xander's sentence. Her heart squeezed. She felt as though she was being suffocated. The only reason why Xander suddenly showered her with attention and tried to please Anathea was because he wanted her to teach him how to fold paper cranes so he could gift them to Natalie. Everything he'd done was for Natalie. Anathea felt a hysterical chuckle bubble within her. It was hilarious how she'd wanted to keep Xander by her side just because he displayed a modicum of love for her. At the same time, she ridiculed herself for being shaken from the decision she thought she'd never waver from. Thankfully, Hannah's words woke her from her stupor. She was also relieved that Xander specified his intentions in time. Like a club to
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 74
Yesterday, Gregory had flown into a huge rage. Jenny had worked for him for years, but she'd never seen him in such a state. Anathea cast her eyes downward and said, "Alright, got it." She'd never seen Gregory like that before either, not to mention the fact that the reason he'd gotten worked up was because he'd misunderstood Anathea's relationship with Tom. Anathea found this hilarious. Gregory had been toeing the line regarding his closeness with Natalie. Yet, here he was pointing his finger at Anathea. However, Gregory's temper was unpredictable. It would be best for her to not piss him off again. After finishing her breakfast, Anathea turned her phone on to reply to a few messages. However, a notification popped up from a news outlet, "The CEO of Sinclair Group Stayed Up All Night Caring for His Girlfriend Fresh Out of Surgery". Anathea smirked humorlessly and clicked into it. There was a photo of Gregory decked out in a full suit, sitting in the VIP lounge area of t
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 75
Anathea's face fell. She heard a horn blaring outside. Brisa was helped out of the car by the driver and Cyrus. She hobbled over and exclaimed, "Nat!" Upon seeing Anathea, Brisa smiled gently and opened her arms. "I haven't seen you in a week. I've missed you so much!" "Grandma!" Anathea stood up and strode toward Brisa, engulfing her in a hug. "You could've just sent us the address, and we would've made our way there ourselves. We didn't need you to come over personally." "Well, I wanted to see you guys as soon as possible, didn't I?" Brisa surveyed the room, but did not see anyone else apart from Anathea. "Where's Xander and Gregory? They haven't woken up? It can't be." Cyrus and Jenny exchanged diffident glances. Gregory hadn't come home last night. However, Anathea's expression didn't betray anything in the slightest. She replied softly, "He took Xander to the hospital." "The hospital?" Brisa frowned and asked, "Has Xander gotten sick?" "No." Anathea shook her h
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 76
As Isabel spoke, she took her bathrobe off. Anathea glanced at Isabel's bathing suit and looked down at her own. Then, she remembered the attire of the guests in the corridor. Yeah, it was true, she was wearing a little too much. It made her stand out. "This is all I have, though," said Anathea. "That's fine! I've got it!" Isabel immediately set things in motion and passed a box to Anathea. "Go try it on. I swear, it'll be gorgeous!" She had no idea how to describe it! However, Isabel seemed to find it as normal as could possibly be. "Of course! You've got to wear this sort of bathing costume when soaking in a hot spring for optimal enjoyment. Go on and change into this, Anathea. I'll be waiting for you outside." She took Anathea's high-coverage swimsuit away from her and left. Anathea couldn't even go back on her promise. Anathea smiled resignedly and glanced at the box in her hand. Fine. It was just the three of them anyway. There was no point in being so uptight about
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 77
"Why are you…" Anathea hadn't expected Gregory to be here. "Grandma called and asked me to come," said Gregory tonelessly. He scanned her casually, but paused when he noticed the swimsuit she was wearing. His eyes narrowed. His piercing gaze unsettled Anathea. It didn't take a genius to figure out that Gregory thought she was doing this on purpose, just like what she'd done at the Sinclair residence. However, she had no idea why he was here. If she'd known, she wouldn't have come in. She didn't want to have anything to do with him, let alone wear something skimpy to seduce him. Gregory watched Anathea standing motionless a few steps away. Then, he said calmly, "Come here." She didn't know what he meant and remained standing in place. Anathea considered whether she should grab her bathrobe and leave. "What? Are you trying to play that cat-and-mouse game you adore?" Gregory glanced up at her and asked snootily, "Anathea, don't you have any new tricks up your sleeves?" Ana
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 78
From his defined features to his amazing figure, Gregory was a masterpiece of a man. This explained why so many women fawned over him back then. However, there seemed to be a faint scar on his neck. Anathea had no idea when he'd gotten hurt. She got lost in her thoughts for a moment. Gregory looked down at her bewildered expression and snorted. "Has this sight stunned you?" Anathea came to suddenly and frowned. She tried to leave, but he held her down firmly with both hands. "Let me go." He didn't budge. Instead, he asked mockingly, "Who has a better figure? Thomas, or me?" She didn't know why he suddenly felt the need to compare himself to Thomas. She looked away and replied, "I don't know." "You don't know?" Gregory harrumphed and grabbed her chin, tilting it upwards so she was forced to make eye contact with him. "You've got such a close relationship with him to the point where you call him to flirt while in the hot springs. Yet, now you're telling me you don't know?"
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Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 172
Even as her heart pounded wildly under her ribcage, Natalie maintained her poise and elegant demeanor, looking like a beautiful princess at the top of the castle waiting for her prince to come.When Gregory was less than a foot away, she silently gulped. She put on her most dazzling smile and extended her right hand toward him.At that moment, the world around them quieted. The lights and the audience's unwavering gaze were on them. As everyone beheld the scene on the red carpet, shock colored their faces.Someone exclaimed, "So the bigwig who'd spent millions on Ms. Whitman is Mr. Sinclair, the CEO of Sinclair Group?""No wonder! I've heard that Mr. Sinclair and Ms. Whitman are more than just platonic acquaintances! So she's the future Mrs. Sinclair! Looks like the rumors are true, then. I bet Mr. Sinclair wants to use this opportunity to announce his engagement with Ms. Whitman officially!""Indeed! Mr. Sinclair is the finest example of a rich and adoring husband in all of Caste
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 171
Hannah carefully observed Anathea's expression and found it neutral. It was as if Anathea couldn't care less about what she'd seen on television. Only then did Hannah heave a sigh of relief and let loose a torrent of abuse. "To think that no-good Gregory would bring that hussy to a huge social event so soon after your divorce!"Hannah didn't remember seeing Gregory bring Anathea to any social event. He couldn't have made his double standards any more obvious.In stark contrast to Hannah's outrage, Anathea remained expressionless. She and Gregory were divorced, and he could bring whoever he wanted to to any party. It had nothing to do with Anathea anyway, and she saw no point in dwelling on the past."Gregory?" Chloe was curious about the man Hannah was cursing. "Mommy, who's Gregory?""This guy right here," Hannah said, clenching her jaw as she pointed at the man appearing on camera. "He might look like a decent fella, but he's nothing but a despicable, no-good prick!""Oh, so t
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 170
And yet, the lights that illuminated Presgrave Manor were as bright as day.Macon and Dayanna Presgrave had weathered the odds together for decades and were celebrating their 30th anniversary. Theirs was an arranged marriage between two equally powerful families that had made the Presgraves one of the most prestigious households in Castenea.As such, the dinner party thrown in their honor saw the attendance of many important folks from Castenea. Even the press had been invited to broadcast and photograph the event. With all the major media outlets promoting the luxurious affair, the party quickly became the most anticipated event of that evening.Everything about the party stirred up unprecedented buzz. It was even being broadcast live on television.Anathea was greeted by the live broadcast of the dinner party at Presgrave Manor the moment she clicked on the remote and turned on the television. She also caught the dashing figure in a black suit that appeared on camera for only
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 169
Dominic was well aware that by "someone", Gregory meant Anathea. However, he kept his expression neutral as he met Gregory's gaze, revealing nothing. "Mr. Sinclair, surely you jest. I wouldn't dare hide anyone from you, let alone someone who means something to you."Gregory's lips pressed into a grim line as he stared at Dominic wordlessly. He didn't believe Dominic. With Gregory's forces and the way they worked, it wouldn't take more than two days for him to hear about Anathea as long as she was in Syntherra.However, four days had passed, and there had been no news of her. Gregory doubted anyone other than Dominic could keep Anathea's whereabouts hidden.But Dominic didn't look the slightest bit rattled. "If you've lost someone, Mr. Sinclair, all you have to do is tell me who it is and I'll have my men search for them as well.""As if you'd do that." Gregory scoffed, looking away.A tense silence spread between the two men. Just as Dominic thought Gregory wouldn't say anythi
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 168
"Sweetheart, you're not old." Dominic pinched Hannah's delicate cheek. "You're only 27 and in your prime!""Is this how you treat them as well?" Hannah countered, her tone devoid of emotion.Dominic paused. "'Them'?""Do you call the other women 'sweetheart' if they please you too?" Hannah didn't ask this aloud, not that she planned to, lest she embarrass herself.The flush across her cheeks gradually waned as she calmed down. She shoved Dominic away and urged, "Why aren't you leaving?"However, Dominic's lips curled as he pinned her down, sturdy as a mountain. He even pressed his lips close to her ear and murmured, "I'll stay a little longer to boost our chances of getting pregnant."Hannah fell speechless. Dominic seemed intent on—if not borderline obsessed with—knocking her up.In the past, he'd used protection all the time and even went the extra mile to clean up the trash. He was extremely cautious so as not to create trouble for himself.But everything changed after Hanna
Why the Crocodile Tears? Chapter 167
"Of course not," Hannah said with a smile, not a single crack in her expression. "Do I look like someone who goes back on her word? I'm not even pregnant yet. Once I am, I'll stop working."Dominic narrowed his eyes. "Are you questioning my efficiency?"Hannah was stunned for a moment, thrown off by how fast he'd jumped to that conclusion.He took her pause as silent agreement. With a smirk, he reached over and pinched her cheek. "Don't worry. I'll show you exactly what efficiency means."The moment the light turned green, he shifted his gaze back to the road and hit the gas. The Bentley shot forward like a bullet.As soon as they reached his apartment, even before stepping through the door, Dominic grabbed her wrist and pulled her close. He cupped her chin and lowered his head to kiss her lips.Hannah's eyes widened for a second in surprise. But soon enough, she responded to him.The heat between them rose fast. Hannah, caught in his demanding rhythm, struggled to catch her bre
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
