Chapter 7

When Josephine returned to Evercrest Manor, Gideon wasn't home, and the housekeeper had no idea where he'd gone. She grabbed her luggage and walked out, finding it suspiciously easy to leave.

At the front entrance, she stopped. She'd arrived in Cedric's car, and the deep blue Rolls-Royce still waited by the curb, its sapphire hue refracting brilliantly in the sunlight. Like Cedric himself, it was silent yet commanding, with an undeniable presence.

"Get in," came his voice as the window lowered, revealing his expressionless face.

Josephine hesitated briefly before Cedric added, "It's several miles to the road down the mountain, and taxis don't come up here."

Evercrest Manor's security was tight—taxis needed the owner's permission to enter the grounds. Otherwise, one had to walk down the mountain to find transportation.

"Clearwater Ridge, please," Josephine said decisively as she entered the car. This was where she'd lived before marriage, a place she hadn't visited since the wedding.

During the ride, she worried about what to say if Cedric questioned her. After all, she'd once confidently assured him she would be happy with Gideon. The memory now made her cringe.

Fortunately, he didn't ask a single question throughout the journey. When they arrived, Josephine felt awkward. "Thank you, Cedric. And please, don't tell anyone about today." She meant her hospital visit.

"Agreed." His response was characteristically brief.

Josephine got out and waited for the car to leave so she could explore her old home. But the car didn't move. After a moment's hesitation, she noticed Cedric was still watching her.

"Would you like to come up for a glass of water?" she asked tentatively.

In the kitchen, Josephine felt slightly dazed as she poured the water. She'd only made the offer as a courtesy—she never expected Cedric to accept.

"It's been a long time since I've been here," she said softly as she brought out the glass. "Though I've had it cleaned regularly... water is all I can offer you." Coffee and other beverages were certainly long gone.

Cedric didn't seem to mind. His elegant fingers wrapped around the cheap, clear glass. "Does Gideon know you've moved out?"

"He'll find out soon enough."

Josephine hadn't decided how to deal with Gideon yet. She just needed some space to think. Surely with his mistress keeping him occupied, he wouldn't track her down?

Cedric glanced toward the window. "I wouldn't be so sure."

Clearwater Ridge was built on a suburban hillside with excellent views. From the window, one could clearly see the Bugatti approaching like a streak of black light tearing through the sky.

By the time Josephine followed Cedric's gaze, the Bugatti had already stopped. Gideon emerged and was knocking at the door within thirty seconds.

As the door opened, Gideon's prepared words tumbled out. "Jojo, you... Cedric?" His voice faltered, finding the last person he expected standing there.

Cedric gave him a cool glance, handed his glass to Josephine, and casually remarked, "Nice water." Then he walked out, leaving the mess behind.

Josephine didn't need to see Gideon's expression to know how furious he was. As she turned to put away the glass, Gideon grabbed her arm from behind. The glass fell onto the carpet, spilling water everywhere but remaining intact.

"Why were you with him? Why did you move out? Why haven't you answered my calls?" Gideon stared intently at her, as if trying to peer into her soul.

She frowned slightly. "You're hurting me."

He immediately released her, regret flashing in his eyes, but in the next moment, he couldn't help pulling her into his embrace, his arms tightly encircling her waist. He savored the familiar warmth and scent that no one else could replicate.

Kissing her earlobe, he murmured, "Jojo, don't scare me like this again. And don't see him—you know he's my enemy."

'Your enemy isn't necessarily mine,' she thought.

Suppressing the urge to roll her eyes, she coaxed, "Could you let me go first?"

"No." Gideon held Josephine as if she might vanish the moment he released her. He lifted her in his arms and placed her on the sofa.

"Jojo, tell me you won't leave me, right?"

As the Getty family's illegitimate son, Gideon had never been accepted. Meanwhile, Cedric, the legitimate heir, was the undisputed successor. Cedric loomed over him like a mountain he could never surpass. His grandfather and uncles all favored Cedric for his excellence.

Only Josephine was different. She would stand against Cedric for Gideon's sake, showing no mercy.

Gideon cupped Josephine's face, his eyes filled with obsession. "Jojo, I won't let you leave me. We promised to be together forever."

Forever... A complex emotion flickered in her eyes. "So you still remember that."

She'd thought he'd forgotten amid his nights of passion with his mistress—forgotten about his wife at home and the vows he'd made at their wedding.

"Of course I remember," Gideon answered without hesitation, obsessively demanding a promise. "Jojo, promise me you won't go out again and won't see Cedric again."

"Bullshit!"

Sophia, worried about Josephine, had rushed over just in time to hear this. She was instantly furious.

"You cheat on her and then have the nerve to make demands?"

Gideon's smile froze. "Sophia, mind your words."

"Want me to name your mistress?"

Sophia had spoken impulsively, but once the words were out, there was no taking them back. She positioned herself between Josephine and Gideon, creating distance between them.

"Gideon, if you're a real man, admit it. Divorce Jojo—preferably without taking a penny—and get out. Stop wasting her youth!"

Gideon looked past her, but could only see a strand of Josephine's hair. "Jojo, is this what you want too?"

"Do you remember what I said when we got married?"

Having witnessed her parents' harmonious relationship as a child, Josephine had hoped for the same in her own marriage. She'd approached matrimony with both idealism and tolerance, fully prepared.

On their wedding night, she'd told Gideon that everything was negotiable except infidelity. That was her one non-negotiable boundary.

Gideon remembered, of course. He remembered every word Josephine had ever said. "If I told you I did this for you, would you forgive me?"

"What, would someone have killed me if you hadn't cheated?"

How absurd! How ridiculous!

Josephine had imagined he might weep with remorse, or show no regret, or simply admit his feelings had changed. She never expected such shamelessness. It left her feeling utterly drained.

"Let's get divorced."

"Impossible."

After a moment's panic, Gideon quickly regained his composure. "Jojo, you've known about this for a while, but you've kept quiet until now. Why bring it up today?"

"What are you implying?"

After years of marriage, she could anticipate where he was heading just from his opening line.

Sure enough—

"You think hooking up with Cedric will let you leave me? Josephine, I'm telling you, that's not happening!"