The CEO's Unplanned Heir novel Chapter 1042

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 giving me the 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 for me except ease my conscience. When both of you and Arnold got married, I became the laughingstock of the entire high society, and nobody from the Stirling family showed me any sympathy, except for Beverly. And Sheryl? She's been bad-mouthing me behind 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 blame me for being insensitive. And Fredric, he thinks highly of me, believes I can sway you. If you veto the divorce, he'll blame me 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 I? 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."