After returning to Stirling Manor, Kane felt the heavy blanket of fatigue settles over him. A hot shower did little to stave off the weariness, and he soon succumbed to a deep sleep.

Leopold, with a swift motion, hoisted Aurelia up and kicked open the bedroom door, tossing her onto the couch with little ceremony.

"When are you going to stop givingthe silent treatment?" he demanded.

Aurelia shot him a sharp look, retorting, "I'm not giving you the silent treatment. You're just being paranoid." "If you've got a problem with me, just spit it out. I can change. There's no need to use Arnold to get under my skin." With a huff, Aurelia retorted, "Why should it bother you if I'm upset? You could simply not care. After all, you've never cared about me. It's just your own male pride that's wounded." Leopold asked, "Why did you say that I don't care about you? Have I really been that bad at showing my feelings?" "Yes," Aurelia nodded without hesitation, "I haven't felt a thing. Fredric is filing for divorce from Sheryl, and you want to stop them, demanding that I take your side. Did you ever consider how that affects me? Honestly, siding with Sheryl does nothing forexcept ease my conscience. When both of you and Arnold got married, I becthe laughingstock of the entire high society, and nobody from the Stirling family showedany sympathy, except for Beverly. And Sheryl? She's been bad-mouthingbehind my back to Lisa. Our relationship is nothing but a sham.

But Jelena is different. She's my cousin and she's always got my back, considering my interests. Logically, right or wrong, I should support her unconditionally. If I have to rely on her in the future, she'll be there for me.

If I side with you against my own cousin Jelena, the Hawthorne family will blme for being insensitive. And Fredric, he thinks highly of me, believes I can sway you. If you veto the divorce, he'll blme for stabbing him in the back, and then I'll be the one he resents.

You always consider things from your perspective, never mine. It's been like this for four years, and it hasn't changed. You make decisions without consulting me, expecting my unquestioning obedience. But I'm not your puppet, am 1? Why should I comply with everything you say? If you want a wife who just nods and agrees, then let's just call it quits and stop pretending." Her complaints spilled forth like a flood, barraging Leopold and leaving a lingering sting in his heart from the impact.

Indeed, he had always considered things from the standpoint of the Stirling family. As the head of the household, he was bound to uphold family rules.

From birth, he had witnessed Chad's ruthless behavior, leaving an indelible mark on his heart.

He hated infidelity, but he had forgotten that Fredric's affair involved Aurelia's cousin Jelena. Aurelia wasn't as dispassionate as him, and she was fiercely loyal to the Hawthorne family.

Even someone like Ritchie, a scoundrel, could be forgiven by her tand again, receiving her clandestine support.

"I've been short-sighted. I didn't want this to affect us. I'll try to be more considerate in the future." Aurelia, however, wasn't convinced. His domineering nature meant he preferred to make decisions on his own.

"It's late. Let's sleep. We have work tomorrow." She stood up, slipped into bed, pulled up the covers, and closed her eyes, no longer willing to engage with him.

On the weekend, Sheryl arrived at Stirling Manor with her two children in tow.

Nina ran to Leopold's side, “Uncle Leopold, Daddy doesn't want us anymore. He hasn't chall week. What do we do?" Her voice quivered, and tears began to roll down her cheeks.

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