C4 She Deserved It.

In the locked bedroom on the second floor, Lydia sat on the edge of the bed, gazing into the dark, profound night sky, her headache prompting her to pinch the bridge of her nose.

Did Reece intend to torment her to death?

A wry smile twisted the corners of her mouth as she lamented the chilling indifference men showed her, their cruelty so stark.

But this time around, in her second chance at life, she vowed not to let herself be swallowed by endless agony, even if it meant fighting with every breath.

She needed to devise a plan to persuade him to grant her a divorce.

That night, Lydia lay alone on the expansive double bed, restless and unable to find sleep, her mind racing with strategies to flee this personal hell.

When slumber finally claimed her, it brought with it a series of nightmares.

The following morning, as Reece entered the room, he found Lydia clutching her scar-marred left leg—a remnant of a car accident—crying out in pain. Perhaps feeling too aggrieved, she intermittently sobbed, her small frame quivering.

Reece's heart skipped a beat at the sight of her tearful agony.

For an instant, he wondered if he had been too harsh on her the previous night.

His brow furrowed, and he swiftly banished the unwelcome surge of emotion.

She had brought this upon herself with her manipulations; she deserved no sympathy.

His expression turned icy once more as he looked down and called out, "Lydia."

Startled from her nightmare by the deep timbre of his voice, Lydia's eyes flew open, and she regarded the man at her bedside with terror, instinctively shrinking back toward the headboard.

"What do you want?" she asked, her voice tinged with wariness.

Reece's expression darkened further. His gaze upon her was devoid of warmth. "Be in the living room in five minutes."

"Why?"

"Grandfather is coming."

The mention of "grandfather" sparked a glimmer of hope in Lydia's dull eyes, like a drowning person grasping at a lifeline.

Reece's demeanor was usually detached, but his reverence and filial duty toward Old Mr. Tillman were renowned throughout Goulcrest.

Therefore...

If she couldn't persuade Reece to consent to a divorce, perhaps an appeal to Old Mr. Tillman might tip the scales in her favor.

Lydia had once saved Old Mr. Tillman's life, a deed he had never forgotten. To show his gratitude, he had made her a solemn promise: should she ever wish to call in that favor, she could name her condition, and he would honor it without question. She never imagined she'd need to take him up on that offer, but desperate to secure a divorce and flee from her personal hell, she found herself with no other choice. This would sever her ties with the Tillman family for good, which, in truth, felt like a relief. It meant she could start anew.

The mere thought of life beyond Reece brought a spontaneous smile to her lips. She sprang from the bed and breezed past him into the bathroom. "You head down first. I'll follow shortly."

Reece watched her hasten away, fully aware of the little game she was playing. His lips formed a cold, silent smirk before he turned to descend the stairs.

Minutes later, Lydia hastily made herself presentable and hurried to join him downstairs. Yet, no matter how much she willed her legs to move faster, they refused. The accident had left her with a persistent injury in her left leg, causing excruciating pain with each step. Now, her face turned pale with the effort, she bit back the pain and hobbled into the living room.

Standing before Reece, she forced herself to stand tall, unwilling to reveal any sign of frailty. A quick survey of the room revealed only Reece's presence, dimming the brightness in her eyes. Where was Old Mr. Tillman?

Disappointment tightened her lips as she moved past Reece toward the opposite sofa. But before she could sit, she was abruptly drawn into his embrace. A chill ran down her spine as she stiffened in his arms.

"Reece, what are you doing!" Lydia's voice was tinged with panic as she struggled against his grip.

His hold was unyielding, and instead of breaking free, she found herself further ensnared. "I've heard your father hasn't made any significant strides at the Ellis Group in recent years. He seems to be in quite a tough spot," Reece said, his voice devoid of emotion as he spoke the words slowly, deliberately.

Lydia's heart skipped a beat when her father was suddenly mentioned. She turned sharply to the man beside her.

His gaze was fixed ahead, as if he were absorbed in something, yet it seemed he saw nothing at all.

This only added to his usual enigmatic demeanor, stirring a sense of unease within her.

She understood Reece all too well.

He wasn't one to raise a topic without cause. There was always a motive.

Her eyes narrowed as she asked icily, "What are you up to?"

"Should I decide to pull my funding, you're well aware of the consequences for your parents within the Ellis family," he said, turning to face her with a slight smirk.

"And unless you want your parents to suffer a fate akin to damnation, weigh your words carefully when we meet with Grandpa Tillman later."