Chapter 3 Three Words for a Divorce

Soon enough, Natasha pulled herself together and went over to take Cressida's hand. "Cressie, you're finally back. Where have you been these last few days? Mom, Dad, and Mrs. Strudwick Senior were worried sick. Lud's slammed with work, and he's been run ragged over your disappearance these past few days. It honestly hurts to watch." She glanced at Luther. "Oh, Lud, I made some soup for lunch. Make sure you have some. Don't wear yourself out." Luther met her gaze and smiled. "Alright. Thanks for making it." Cressida was his wife, yet in that moment, she felt like the odd one out. Luther and Natasha seemed made for each other. A sour pang rose in her chest. She pushed Natasha's hand away without expression. "Wouldn't things be easier for you two if I weren't here being an eyesore?" Luther's face had just softened, but now, it went cold again. "What are you pulling now? Natasha asked because she was worried about you, and this is how you respond?" Natasha put on a wounded look. "Cressie, don't misunderstand. Lud's been worn out these past few days, so I came to look after him. We were childhood friends, after all. Even if you two are married, we…" She left the rest unsaid, but the provocation in her eyes was clear. And Cressida understood exactly what she meant. Natasha's point was plain. She was the one Luther loved. Even if Cressida held the "Mrs. Strudwick" title, it counted for nothing. Pain sharpened in Cressida's chest. When Luther stepped forward, frowning as he shielded Natasha, Cressida's nose stung and her breath hitched. After a long moment, she managed a faint smile. "You're right. What you two have run deep. I shouldn't have forced my way in." Both of them froze. Luther's brow knitted tighter, for he hadn't seen that coming. Even when Natasha had been absent for years, Cressida's proud, headstrong nature would've made her blow up when she saw him with Natasha. Cressida would have started fights, made a scene, and acted as if everything were falling apart. But why was she so calm now? Natasha was even more stunned. She'd poked at Cressida on purpose, wanting her to crack. Why was that bitch… Cressida met their eyes, her expression more serious than ever. "Luther, you've always wanted to marry Natasha. I'll step aside. I'm divorcing you." Luther's face hardened further. "What did you just say?" How dare she even bring up divorce? Hadn't she done everything to become his wife? And hadn't she bent over backward to please him after the wedding just to secure her place? Cressida repeated herself. "We're getting a divorce. I'll leave with nothing. From now on, I won't bother you again. All I want is to hear you say you love me." It was only a few lines, but it took everything she had. Since his love would never be hers, letting go was all that was left. All she wanted now was to stay alive long enough to be by Daphne's side and care for her to the very end. Luther clenched his fists, a flicker of shock crossing his face. But it took only a moment for him to pull himself together. For a second, he thought Cressida had finally grown a spine, but she had only switched tactics, playing hard to get. He knew at once she just wanted him to say the words to needle Natasha and that she would never go through with a divorce. "Love you? What makes you think you're worthy of my love?" He gave a cold laugh, every word dripping with contempt. "You're just a conniving woman who wormed your way into my bed and married me for your own ends. "I still wouldn't love you even if every other woman alive dropped dead. Besides, my heart is with Nat. A cheap trick like this will never drive us apart." Delight flashed in Natasha's eyes, but she schooled her features into surprised shyness. "Don't say that, Lud. Cressie will be upset." Luther's face stayed impassive. "Whether she's upset has nothing to do with me. I'd made it clear when she hounded me to marry her. She gets nothing aside from the title of Mrs. Strudwick. It's not my job to worry about her feelings." With that, he shoved Cressida aside, took Natasha's hand, and headed for the door. "Leave her. It's your birthday tonight. Don't let that downer kill the mood." Natasha flashed a shy smile, glanced over her shoulder at Cressida, and followed him into the living room. Cressida's heart iced over again. It was her birthday, too, but Luther never remembered it. Now, he was throwing a birthday party for Natasha in what was supposed to be their home. Numb, Cressida went in after them. She found the living room blanketed with fresh flowers and balloons strung along the walls. The wedding portrait that had once hung there had vanished. The lilies she had set on the dining table before she got abducted had been swapped out for red roses. The maids looked right past her, busy taping up Natasha's photos and "Happy Birthday" banners across the wall. Every trace of Cressida had been scrubbed clean from the house in just a week. She'd decided to move on, yet a cold, cutting ache bloomed beneath her ribs. She had only three months left to live. Unless Luther said he loved her, she'd die. At the very least, she'd see Daphne settled before that day came, and she'd find whoever had killed her and bring them to justice. As Cressida reached the second floor, she saw that the door beside the study was slightly ajar. From inside came a muffled, frantic bark of anger. "Didn't you promise me she wouldn't be coming back? What the hell is going on now? We had a deal. I got you that file, and you…"