Chapter 4
Sorry?
If saying sorry actually meant anything, why would we even need prisons?
His apology couldn't fix my broken ribs, and it sure as hell couldn't bring back the baby I lost.
As soon as Wilhelmina woke up, the first thing she did was come to see me.
She wore a crisp white hospital gown, her face pale, supported by a nurse. She looked so delicate, like a flower swaying in the breeze.
Nikolas wasn't here. He'd gone to the office to handle the mountain of work waiting for him.
Nancy tried to block her, but I stopped Nancy.
"Let her in," I said.
I wanted to see what kind of tricks she was going to pull this time.
In the living room, Wilhelmina asked the nurse and Nancy to leave, so it was just the two of us.
She sat across from me on the couch, her eyes red as she looked at me. "Cordelia, I'm sorry. It's all my fault. I made you worry about me again."
I didn't say anything, just quietly watched her put on her act.
Seeing I wasn't moved, she bit her lip, and tears rolled down her cheeks. "I swear I didn't mean for any of this to happen...
"When I heard you were out of prison and Nikolas was going to pick you up, I just lost it for a second. I was terrified he'd leave me..."
"So you decided to jump off a building?" I finally spoke, my tone flat. "Miss Scott, you always find such unique ways to get attention."
Her face turned even paler, and she sobbed harder. "No, Cordelia, you've got me wrong. I know I owe you so much, and I've been trying to make it up to you.
"Nikolas said he'd do anything for you, as long as you're alright. I know you have a place in his heart..."
"Is that so?" I smirked, my tone dripping with sarcasm. "He cares about me, so he made me go to prison for you? He cares about me, so after I gave you 400cc of my blood, he didn't even say thank you and only cared if you were alive?"
Wilhelmina's crying stopped for a second. She clearly didn't expect me to be so blunt.
She wiped her tears, then suddenly put on a different face, her eyes flashing with jealousy and smugness. "Cordelia, don't get ahead of yourself. So what if you're out now?
"Nikolas loves me. He always has, and he always will. He only married you because the Styles family could help him secure his position at the company. He feels disgusted even to touch you."
"And what about you?" I stared her down. "You're nothing but his hidden mistress, a drama queen who hurts herself and acts pitiful just to get a man's sympathy. Tell me, what makes you any better than me?"
"You!" She shook with anger, clearly having been struck where it hurt the most. "Cordelia, don't be shameless! Believe me, with just one word from me, Nikolas could send you right back to prison."
"I believe it," I nodded, my smile never fading. "Of course I do. After all, I'm the murderer, and you're the one he loves."
My calm just pushed her over the edge.
She shot to her feet and lunged at me, screaming, "I'll kill you!"
I didn't move.
Right as her hand was about to reach me, Nikolas's furious shout exploded from the doorway, "Wilhelmina! Stop!"
He rushed in and pushed Wilhelmina aside.
Wilhelmina slumped weakly to the floor, whimpering as she cried, "Nikolas... I didn't mean it... It's Cordelia... She was so mean to me..."
Nikolas didn't even look at her. He walked straight over to me, checking me anxiously. "Are you alright? Did she hurt you?"
I looked at him, suddenly feeling utterly exhausted.
It was always like this.
Every single time.
A farce, two women at each other's throats, and he was the one always sitting high above as the judge.
I pushed his hand away, got to my feet, and headed upstairs without saying a word.
"Cordelia!" he called out from behind me.
I stopped, but didn't turn around. In a cold voice, I said, "Nikolas, I'm tired. Let's divorce."
My words pierced the room like a sharp needle, shattering the illusion of peace in an instant.
I felt Nikolas tense up, and Wilhelmina's sobbing stopped dead.
This time, I didn't give him a chance to respond. I headed straight for my room, slammed the door shut, and locked it.