Chapter 3A Bone Marrow Lie, A Husband’s Ruin

The spoon in Gideon's hand paused mid-air. A cold sneer touched his lips.

"Aurora, what game are you playing now?" he asked. "You threaten me with divorce every time we fight. You really think that old trick still works on me?"

I took another sip of the bitter coffee, letting the taste flood my senses. "This isn't a threat. My lawyer's letter will be on your desk this afternoon."

I met his gaze. "You won't get a single penny of my assets. And I'm getting full custody of Rosie."

He slammed the bowl down on the table, the soup splashing across the pristine tablecloth. "In your dreams!"

"If you dare file for divorce now, I will ruin you," he snarled. "You will donate that marrow, Felicity. You'll do it whether you want to or not."

Felicity, on cue, began dabbing at her eyes. "Aurora, it's all my fault. I'll leave. Please, don't fight because of me."

She made a show of trying to stand from her wheelchair, then her legs gave out, and she crumpled to the floor in a heap.

Gideon rushed to her side, scooping her up with a look of pure fury directed at me. "Are you happy now?"

"If anything happens to Felicity, I'll hold you responsible."

I looked at the disgusting pair, a wave of nausea rolling through me. "Do whatever you want, Gideon. You'd better just pray your precious 'sister' lives to see the gala."

I walked out of that villa without a backward glance, got into my Porsche, and drove straight to the office.

The first thing I did was assemble my legal and finance departments. We began a complete audit of all of Gideon's projects and funds connected to Croft Industries.

If we were making a clean break, it was going to be absolute.

For the next few days, I didn't return to that suffocating house. I worked from the shadows, orchestrating a little surprise for the Monroe sisters—a gift they would never forget.

K sent another update.

Felicity’s so-called leukemia diagnosis was a complete fabrication. The attending physician was an old admirer of Seraphina's, bought and paid for with a hefty sum.

And Felicity was already getting impatient to cash in on the Deed of Gift. She had secretly contacted underground lenders, planning to mortgage the properties and transfer the assets offshore.

And Gideon, the brilliant fool, was completely oblivious. He was too busy posting his usual emo bullshit on social media, waxing poetic about the fragility of life and the weight of his responsibilities.

I couldn't help but sneer at his pathetic words.

Soon, the day of the much-hyped "family recognition" charity gala arrived.

To build momentum for Felicity, Gideon had invited every major socialite and media outlet in Crestwood. He was going to show the world what a deeply loyal and honorable man he was.

And he was going to let the world pressure his cold-hearted wife into giving up her bone marrow.

The day before the event, Gideon called me. His voice was hard, laced with an unquestionable command.

"Tomorrow night. Eight o'clock. The Grand Majestic Hotel. You will be there, dressed to the nines."

He added a final threat. "If you don't show, I'm sending Rosie to a boarding school in the middle of nowhere."

My knuckles whitened around my phone. I forced down the rage, my voice emerging as smooth as glass. "Of course. I'll be there on time."

Gideon seemed surprised by my easy compliance. He grunted and hung up.

I stared at the dark screen of my phone, a chill smile playing on my lips. "Ready to face hell, Gideon?"

"Oh, I'll be there. And I'll make sure that by the end of the night, none of you will ever be able to show your faces in this city again."

I dialed K and gave him his final instructions.

All the pieces were in place. All I had to do was wait for the show to begin.