Chapter 3

3

The next morning, I woke up early and got dressed.

I was about to head out when I ran into Cynthia in the hallway.

She frowned when she saw I was ready to leave. "Where do you think you're going so early?"

"I have some things to take care of," I said, looking down at my shoes.

Cynthia suddenly blocked the door, her voice turning sharp.

"This is a sensitive time. You shouldn't be wandering around."

"You're out on bail. What if someone recognizes you and starts a scene?"

I didn't want to argue. "Move."

Cynthia's face darkened instantly. She grabbed my wrist with a grip so tight it made me wince.

"Bennett, you need to realize your place!"

I tried to pull away, but she dragged me toward the stairs.

Her sharp nails dug into my skin like iron claws.

"I thought I was being kind to you, but clearly, I was wrong."

She let go of me and clapped her hands. Two large men in black suits appeared out of nowhere.

"Tie him up and throw him in the basement! He stays there until the trial!"

Cynthia gave the order, and the men immediately lunged at me.

I fought back, but it was useless. I screamed at her as they dragged me away.

"Cynthia! Are you seriously kidnapping me now?!"

She looked down at me with cold, dead eyes.

"Don't blame me, Bennett. You forced my hand."

The basement was damp and freezing. The only light came from a single, flickering bulb.

Cynthia stood in the doorway, her silhouette blocking the light.

"You'll stay here until it's time for court," she said coldly.

The guards pushed me inside, and I stumbled, crashing hard against the concrete wall.

A sharp pain shot through my shoulder. I groaned in agony and glared at her.

Her eyes flickered with a hint of something―guilt, maybe―and she told the men to untie me.

She pulled a diamond-encrusted watch from her pocket.

"Bennett..." Her tone turned soft and manipulative again.

"I had this custom-made for you. Think of it as an apology."

She held the watch out. The diamonds sparkled mockingly in the dim light.

I looked at it with pure disgust.

"What? Are you afraid I'll run, so you're trying to bribe me with jewelry?"

Cynthia stiffened, then let out a fake sigh.

"I just wanted you to know that I still have feelings for you."

I let out a harsh laugh. "Your feelings involve framing me for your lover's crimes and locking me in a dungeon?"

Before she could respond, Xander's voice drifted down from the stairs.

He skipped down the steps and snatched the watch box out of her hand.

"Wow! This watch is gorgeous!"

"Cynthia, is this for me?"

Cynthia blinked, looking caught off guard. "Xander, that was for..."

"I don't care! I want it!" Xander chirped.

He slid the watch onto his wrist and looked at me with a smirk.

"He's going to prison anyway. A watch this nice would just be wasted on a convict."

Cynthia looked at me, then at Xander, and finally gave in with a fond smile.

"Fine. If you like it, it's yours."

But Xander wasn't finished being a brat.

He pouted and looked at his own wrist. He unstrapped his old, cheap watch and tossed it at my feet.

"Since I took his gift, he can have mine. It's better than nothing."

Cynthia didn't even scold him. She just looked at me as if I should be grateful.

"See, Bennett? Xander is so thoughtful. I know you two will get along eventually."

I stared at the scratched, plastic watch on the floor and laughed at the irony.

Cynthia continued, "Oh, and one more thing, Bennett."

"Since Xander is sick and you..." She paused, her voice turning clinical.

"The doctors said you're likely sterile. I've decided to cancel our engagement and marry Xander instead."

Even though I knew it was coming, the words still felt like a physical blow to my chest.

"But don't worry. I'm not heartless," she added.

"When you get out of prison, I'll find you a place to live and a job. After all, we do have a history."

I cut her off with a sneer. "Cynthia, do you really think I'm that stupid?"

Xander wrapped his arm around Cynthia's waist and looked at me with pure disdain.

"Don't be ungrateful, Bennett."

"Cynthia is being merciful. Who else would want a man who can't even produce an heir?"

I clenched my fists until my skin broke. The pain kept me grounded.

It wasn't time to strike back. Not yet.