Chapter 4

She immediately began recording—but she had no interest in watching their intimate scene. She simply sent the recording to Cillian’s phone. When she returned to the villa she shared with him, Cillian arrived less than five minutes later. Ironically, now that they were on the verge of divorce, her husband was showing up at home more frequently than he had in the past four years. “Cut the tricks. Your secret recording can’t be used as legal evidence,” Cillian barked the moment he stepped in. “Besides, I didn’t have sex with Regina. I won’t let her reputation be ruined.” “Regina is pure—not vicious like you,” he added coldly. Bellatrix felt as if her heart had been pierced again. But she held herself upright, refusing to faint, and snapped, “Enough, Cillian. I don’t care about you and Regina anymore. I sent you the recording because I want to talk about my father’s company. Why are you trying to destroy him?” Cillian’s pupils contracted. He stepped closer. “And if I told you this wasn’t my doing—would you believe me?” Bellatrix stared at him, wide-eyed. She shook her head. “Only you could’ve done it.” “So you came here to surrender?” Cillian sneered. Bellatrix closed her eyes. She had no choice. She opened her mouth to speak, “I agree—” “I changed my mind,” Cillian interrupted with a dismissive wave. “Tomorrow, you’re coming with me to meet a client. If you can help me secure the deal, I’ll agree to invest in your father.” “Why?” Bellatrix asked, confused. “Didn’t you just want my kidney?” “The doctor said Regina’s body is too fragile for surgery—for now,” Cillian said impatiently. “Don’t get ideas. It’s only temporary.” Bellatrix coughed again. Cillian frowned. “Get out of my sight. You don’t need to come to the company tomorrow. Be at this club at 7 p.m.” He tossed a business card at her and left. That night, Bellatrix tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Before heading to the club, she decided to meet with Regina. The next morning, she did her best to cover her dark circles with makeup. She didn’t want to give Regina the satisfaction. As soon as she arrived at the café where Regina was waiting, Regina’s shrill voice rang out, dripping with sarcasm. “Well, big sister, you look terrible. Was it because Cillian and I made love last night, and it hurt you that much?” Bellatrix shut her down. “Cillian explained everything—he didn’t sleep with you. Want me to call him right now? We’ll see who’s telling the truth.” “You—!” Regina shrieked. “Cillian was just worried about my fragile body. That’s the only reason we didn’t!” Bellatrix rolled her eyes. “Get to the point. I’m busy. I don’t have time to waste with you.” Regina dropped the act. She stirred her coffee, then looked up with a sly smile. “Big sister, I’m taking your kidney. And I want you to leave Cillian.” “Regina... you’re not even sick, are you?” Bellatrix said, staring at her rosy cheeks and commanding aura. The one who was truly ill—was her. Regina didn’t admit it. But her smug grin grew wider. “Regina, all these years and your tricks haven’t changed one bit.” Bellatrix still remembered how Regina, as a child, had destroyed their father’s beloved paintings to gain sympathy—then pinned the blame on her. Even worse, Regina once cut her own finger with a pencil sharpener and accused Bellatrix of hurting her. Those incidents were endless. Back then, Regina was only seven. A seven-year-old, already fluent in lies and manipulation. Bellatrix had pitied her because she was a child born out of wedlock, ostracized by others. But all that fragile sweetness had clearly been a mask. Now, Regina’s smile faded. “Bellatrix, whether I’m sick or not, this is what you owe me—what the entire Lancaster family owes me.” “We owe you?” Bellatrix scoffed. “You disappeared without a word four years ago.” Bang! Regina slammed her coffee cup onto the table. Her expression twisted in fury. She glared at Bellatrix, gritting her teeth. “If that old bastard hadn’t interfered, forced me to leave, how could you have ended up as Mrs. Laurente? I was the one meant to marry Cillian—not you, Bellatrix!” Bellatrix’s brows furrowed. Her father forced Regina to leave? That made no sense. She didn’t want to argue anymore. She stood up, ready to leave. “Bellatrix,” Regina said, her voice cold and sharp, “Cillian may have loved you once. But the truth is, he loves me now. Don’t blame me for being ruthless—blame yourself for being weak.” Her words made Bellatrix’s steps falter for a moment. Why did everyone say Cillian once loved her? Then why—when she finally tried to love him—did he start to hate her? Avery’s words echoed in her mind. No, she didn’t want to dwell on the past anymore. She only wanted to secure investment for her father’s company. “Regina, take my kidney, take my place as Mrs. Laurente—Cillian can have you. But he refused to grant me a divorce. Maybe you can help me with that.” Regina’s eyes widened—clearly, Cillian hadn’t told her. Bellatrix didn’t press it. “That’s why I came today. Help me convince him to divorce me.” She didn’t wait for a response. She left and went straight to a boutique. She had to look flawless. She had to help Cillian win that contract—for the sake of her father’s health. And she trusted Cillian enough. If he said her kidney wasn’t needed for now, then Regina had no way to force the issue. At 7 p.m., Bellatrix arrived at the club Cillian had specified—Mystique. Mystique was Miami’s most infamous pleasure club. To enter, one had to be a member. And members were required to have a net worth of over one billion dollars. No exceptions, no matter your fame or power. Bellatrix walked through the corridors, glancing at couples openly engaged in sexual acts. Her stomach twisted with tension. She knew what entering this place meant. She pushed open the door of the VIP room—and saw Cillian and a man, each holding a nearly naked woman in their arms. But at the same moment, everyone in the room turned to look at her. The stranger glanced at Cillian and grinned. “So this is the woman you brought me?” he asked, and began walking toward Bellatrix.