Chapter 7

After I walked out of his office, my heart felt lighter, as if the weight of years of betrayal had finally begun to lift. But I knew this was only the beginning. I had made my choice, and there was no turning back now. Meanwhile, in his penthouse, Reed rushed into the sleek and modern study, his voice urgent. "Sir, your mother has requested to see you at her estate when you're available." Logan sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "I suppose she's heard about Cassandra. Alright, have the car brought around." The Sterling Estate was as breathtaking as ever, the gardens filled with blooming peonies, their scent heavy in the warm afternoon air. The roses climbed the trellises in perfect symmetry, a carefully curated vision of elegance and tradition. But today, there was no peace in the beauty surrounding the grand estate. Inside the main hall, his mother, Helen Sterling, sat regally in a high-backed chair. She wore a deep crimson silk gown, her posture as elegant as ever, though her expression was weary. A single jade pin held her silver-streaked hair in place, a quiet testament to her timeless grace. Logan approached, bowing his head slightly in deference. "Mother." She dismissed the attendants with a wave of her hand, her sharp gaze piercing through him as she exhaled slowly. "The decision you made regarding Adrian and Vivian was reckless, Logan. You not only disrespected Cassandra but set a dangerous precedent." Her voice, though calm, carried the weight of decades of wisdom. "Do you not see what you've done? The world already makes it impossible for women to have power, and now you've publicly humiliated Cassandra. You’ve made her an example." He sighed, leaning against the carved wooden table. "I know, Mother. But Adrian asked for this in front of the entire board and the press. He made it seem as though it was the only thing he wanted. He refused monetary compensation, refused any other rewards. If I had denied him, it would’ve created backlash." Helen shook her head, frustration clear in her eyes. "You’re the President of one of the most powerful conglomerates in the country. You should know better than to be manipulated so easily. Adrian might have played his part well, but that girl Cassandra she’s the one paying the price." Logan swallowed hard. He knew she was right. He had made a cold, calculated decision based on business and public perception, but he hadn’t thought about the personal devastation it would cause Cassandra. Helen’s voice softened, her eyes glistening. "Cassandra gave up everything for that man. She used every cent of her inheritance to support him, to send him abroad so he could chase his dreams. And this is how he repays her?" Logan remained silent. He had always known about Cassandra’s sacrifices, but hearing them spoken aloud, from his mother of all people, made it feel even more damning. "She's the only one left from her family, Logan. Her father and brothers lived with honor and dignity. Do you think she deserves to be treated like this? To be discarded so easily?" His mother’s tears fell silently, but her voice remained strong. "That poor girl. She has no one left, and now you’ve allowed her to be humiliated by the man she devoted her life to." For the first time in years, Logan felt shame claw at his chest. He had made plenty of ruthless decisions before, but this... This was different. This was personal. And Cassandra deserved better. The moment my mother, Helen Sterling, spoke, the room fell into a heavy silence. Her voice, laced with anger and disappointment, cut through the air like a knife. "So, just because Adrian wouldn’t have backed down, Cassandra had to suffer?" she demanded, her piercing gaze fixed on her son. "Hasn’t she sacrificed enough? Do you have any idea how difficult her life has been this past year?" "Mother, I understand. But Adrian’s feelings have changed. Even if he can’t legally marry Vivian, he’s already made his choice. He won’t treat Cassandra well anymore. Just now, she came to me and begged for a Seperation. I granted it." Helen’s face darkened. "She asked for a divorce? That foolish child. Where will she go after that?" "She said she would return to the Sinclair estate and adopt a child to honor her father’s name." Helen sighed heavily, shaking her head. "That estate is nothing but an empty shell now. That poor girl she lost everyone in one night. Can she really go back there, knowing it’s haunted by the memories of those she loved? Won’t she be terrified to wake up every night, reliving that horror?" "Since she came to the estate, why didn’t she seek me out?" Helen continued, her voice breaking slightly. "I could have intervened, taught her how to handle Vivian. She didn’t need to leave Adrian. With his status now, she could have secured her place in luxury forever. Why choose such a difficult path?" Logan’s voice was calm, but there was a hint of admiration in it. "Mother, her mind is made up. She said she doesn’t want to waste her life with them. And think about it if she had to watch Adrian be affectionate with another woman every day, how could she bear it?" Helen’s eyes softened with understanding, and for the first time, she seemed to truly see me. "A woman’s life is so difficult," she murmured, almost to herself. "I once admired Vivian. She was strong, a force to be reckoned with. I thought she would lift women up. But as soon as she gained power, she turned against her own kind. That kind of betrayal is the worst of all." Logan’s expression hardened. "I am disappointed in Adrian. And in Vivian. But considering the influence they hold now, I can’t act against them openly. I will summon Adrian to the estate and reprimand him. It’s the least I can do."