Nine months too late: After divorce

Her heart pounded so violently in her chest, she feared it'd explode.

He now knew she'd had the necklace all along, after all these years. He's realized how stupid she was.

For a moment, Sylvie was tempted to yank off the necklace and toss it to the pool water just to prove she wasn't as foolish as he may think. But even in that moment, the necklace still felt precious to her. She couldn't let it go. Not yet. A tear finally slipped her eye, same time Kage dragged his gaze from the necklace to her face. The expression in his eyes was cold. Unreadable.

"Come on, we need to get out of here," Machai spoke in hushed tones beside her, his arms still around hers.

Giving him one final lingering look, Sylvie turned around and left with Machai.

Machai led her to his car, fixed her in the passenger sit and turned on the heater. The weather was cold, and she being in the pool hadn't done her much good.

"Sorry about that," Machai muttered, searching for something in his car. "Didn't think Cindy could be that bitchy."

Of course, Nobody would think she was a bitch and a snake. An evil witch.

She had one of the most innocent faces and always smiled and laughed and made you think she was the best soul on earth. But she was worse than a wolf in sheep clothing.

Sylvie had never felt so much hatred toward anyone. She'd never wanted to hurt someone that bad. To ruin them. Finding what he was looking for, Machai held out a cigarette and lighter to her. "Here. It'll make you warmer." Sylvie furrowed her brows, giving it a disapproving look before tearing her gaze away. "I don't smoke."

"I know. But there's a first time for everything. Plus I think you could really use one right now."

Sylvie shook her head.. "I don't want to."Content is property of NôvelDrama.Org.

Shrugging, he lit the cigarette for himself and began smoking,

Sylvie was still so angry, but the smoke from Machai seemed to give her some clarity.

"Kage was there. Aren't you worried he'll get mad that you helped me?" Her tone was still cold as she asked.

Machai chuckled, taking another drag. "Well, Kage is my friend for sure, but he's not my dad. He doesn't get to control my choices of women."

Sylvie found his response ridiculous. Wasn't it 'brother code' or how was it called? You don't interact with your friend's exes? She shrugged off his jacket. "Thank you for your help. I'll be leaving now."

She tried to open the door, but it was locked. Frowning, she turned back to him.

"Why do you think we're in a car, Sylvie? I'll be giving you a ride Machai said. ""You don't have to."

But he ignored her and turned on the ignition as he hit the road

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3

Sylvie knew her family would be pretty mad at her. She'd spotted her grandfather just before she left with Machai. No doubt, they'd all be yelling at her through the night. 66%

When she arrived, they weren't home yet. So, she took the opportunity to rest a little. But after a couple of hours, they did come and her grandfather sent for her downstairs.

"What were you thinking!? How could you start up a fight with Kage's woman!? Have you lost your mind?" Her grandmother shouted.

"You really wanna ruin this family, don't you, girl? The last time, he closed down our office in his building. What do you think Kage will do to us now that you hurt his woman? I mean, did you see her face? Sylvie hit her so hard." June queried. "You seriously think you have the right to act like the wounded ex-wife? You simply couldn't accept your losses, huh?" June's mother joined in.

Sylvie stood at the end of the staircase, her head lowered and her hands trembling slightly beside her as the entire family rose their voices on her. It was worse than she had expected-every one of them being judgmental and having something to say against her. Sylvie closed her eyes, the voices seeming to climb over each other and threatening to explode in her head. She wanted to scream. Cry

They didn't stop, and soon, Sylvie couldn't take anymore.

"Enough!" The scream left her throat before she could stop it.

No, she didn't want to stop it. She was glad she didn't.

Everyone paused, eyes blinking in awe as they turned to Sylvie. Never did they imagine the day that the outcast child- Sylvie-would raise her voice on them. Or were they dreaming?

"I've had enough!" Sylvie shouted again, tears glistening in her eyes. "Why do I get blamed for everything? Why's it always my fault? I was the one who was betrayed. I was the one who was pushed into the pool and almost drowned, yet it's my fault? Everything is my fault?"

It took the family a moment to get the surprise out of their system.

"Hey, have you lost your mind?" Her grandmother snapped.

To more of her shock, Sylvie lashed back at her. "No, but I'm tired of being blamed and hated and asked to fix things when they aren't really my fault. I'm human! I can't continue living the rest of my life like this!"

Her hands balled into fists beside her. A tear rolled down her cheeks as she walked down the staircase, then fixed her gaze on Galen.

"I refuse to be kicked out of the company." There was a slight gaps in the room. "And henceforth, I demand I have my own office. My personal space."

"What?" June shrieked. "What pill is she on?"

But Sylvie's gaze didn't leave Galen as she spoke. "I fixed the issue with Oasis. Technically, I'm the reason we got the deal with Timeless Tale. I don't I think it's right that I continue being treated like an outcast. But it's fine if you still chose to hide me from the world, but I won't be inconvenienced any further, sir. So, I request that you give this to me."

"How dare you!?" Natalia snarled. "What makes you think you're in any position.to make demands?"

"Why not?" Sylvie shifted her gaze to her grandmother. "Astrid, June and Evie always make demands. Am I less human than they are? What makes them more important and special?" Chapter 133-

She sniffled, lowering her gaze to Galen's fect. "I'm sorry is this upsets you, sir, but if I don't get what I've asked for, I don't think I'll continue working on the Timeless Tale designs."

More gasps filled the room, followed by various disapproving words and curses. But the whole time, Galen remained quiet, his gaze just fixed on her.

Sylvie didn't know where the guts had come from, but she loved it. She couldn't let them continue using her like a tool whereas she didn't get any better treatment.

The tension in the air thickened, but Sylvie didn't let her confidence falter.

She dipped her head, turned around and left.