Chapter 21

When Damian, standing at the side, heard Alice say exactly what he wanted, he signaled for the guards to take her away. He said, "Cynthia, you heard her, right? There really was nothing between…" But it was as if Cynthia didn't hear his explanation at all. Her sharp gaze was fixed on the bruises and wounds covering Alice's exposed arms and neck. Then, slowly, she turned to Damian. The look in her eyes was something he had never seen before—it was utterly cold and unfamiliar. She pointed at Alice. "Those injuries…" Her voice was very soft, yet each word was like an icicle piercing straight through his heart. "You had someone do that to her, didn't you? You would stoop to such methods just to earn my forgiveness? To make her say what you wanted to hear?" Damian's entire body went rigid. His lips parted, but no sound came out. His silence was answer enough. Cynthia slowly rose to her feet. As she looked at the man she had once loved, hated, and been tangled up with for nearly hal