Cathryn had believed Marion would never love anyone else. She thought he would eventually turn to her, but Debra's appearance shattered all her dreams. Cathryn clenched her fists. “If it weren’t for you, Marion might hate me, but at least he wouldn’t ignore me.”
Suddenly, the sound of a struggle echoed from outside. Several men burst into the room, surrounding Debra. Debra looked at Cathryn. “You and I are different. Do you know in which aspect?”
Cathryn was taken aback, and she continued, “The person I loved fell in love with someone else. I foolishly gave him everything, thinking he would come back to me. But I realized that if someone doesn’t love you, they just don’t. Loving yourself is the only way to be loved by others. And I never intentionally hurt anyone. That’s the difference between you and me.”
Just then, applause echoed from the doorway, followed by a familiar voice. “What a moving speech! I almost shed a tear,” Drake stepped into the living room, a cold smile on his face. “I was going to give you a chance. If you left Marion, I might have spared you and even given you medicine to ease your addiction. But it seems your love is stronger than I thought.”
Debra glanced at him and then the pale-faced Cathryn. She said nothing, but Cathryn’s composure crumbled. “If you had left Marion, I wouldn’t have to do this. Debra, you forced me into this.”
“Yes, it’s all her fault,” Drake said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, “Our kind-hearted Miss Bernard would never do such a thing if not for you.”
They were just deceiving themselves. Cathryn had always been selfish, using her illness as an excuse to take whatever she wanted. Her façade of kindness was bound to shatter eventually. Marion aside, no man would want such a woman.
“Someone, take Mrs. Houston away,” Drake ordered. His men approached Debra, but she stood up calmly, straightening her clothes. She had no intention of resisting. She and Marion had anticipated this move after Randy’s call about the drug withdrawal. It just came slower than she thought.
“No need to force me. I’ll come with you,” Debra said, glancing at Cathryn.
Cathryn avoided her gaze, guilt written all over her face. Drake turned to the frightened maid in the corner. “Tell Marion his wife is with me. If he wants her safe, he must give up everything here and go back to Seamar City.”
The maid nodded, her hands shaking as she dialed Marion’s number. “Sir, Mrs. Houston has been taken by Drake and Cathryn.”
Marion remained composed. “I see.”