---- Chapter 7 "Don't lie to me, Bennett!" Aria was crying, her back pressed against the wall. "You said | was just a tool. Is that all | am to you?" She was testing him, Kelsey realized. She needed to know her position. Bennett cupped Aria's face in his hands, his expression desperate. "No, of course not. You have to understand, | have to say those things in front of her. For now. But you and |... what we have is real. Our baby... our babies... they are real." He leaned in and kissed her, a deep, passionate kiss that left no doubt about his feelings. "Everything | do is for you. For us." Kelsey felt a strange sense of vindication. She wasn't crazy. The truth was finally out in the open, undeniable. She watched them for a moment longer, two liars clinging to each other in a world of their own making, then turned and walked back toward the study. She didn't have to wait long. Mr. Randolph Sr. summoned her. He was sitting behind his massive mahogany desk, a grim expression on his face. He didn't waste time with pleasantries. He slid a folder across the desk. "Divorce papers," he said, his voice like gravel. "Pre- ---- signed by Bennett." Kelsey opened the folder. It was true. Bennett's familiar, arrogant signature was scrawled on the bottom line. "The family needs to move forward," the old man continued. "Bennett is clearly emotionally compromised by this girl. And now, with two heirs on the way, we cannot have any complications. A clean break is necessary." He leaned forward, his eyes cold and calculating. "He's obsessed with her. He's talking about a future, about more children. We need to secure the bloodline." Kelsey remained silent, her face a blank canvas. She picked up the pen from his desk. The gold nib felt cool against her skin. Without a word, she signed her name next to Bennett's. Kelsey Jensen. For the last time. "| will be leaving the country," she stated, not asked. "| want to be completely removed from this family and its drama." Mr. Randolph Sr. looked relieved. "Excellent. We will, of course, provide you with a generous settlement for your discretion and cooperation." He named a figure so large it was obscene. It was a payoff. Hush money. "Bennett will not fight this," the old man assured her. "He is weak when it comes to family pressure. | will handle him." Just then, the door opened and Bennett walked in, a look of ---- smug satisfaction on his face, clearly having placated his mistress. He saw the papers on the desk and frowned. "What's this?" "Just some trust documents for you to sign, son," his father lied smoothly. "For the children's future." Bennett, ever the dutiful son when it came to business, barely glanced at the papers before adding his signature to another page his father indicated. He was signing away his marriage, and he didn't even know it. 2 Kelsey watched him, a hollow ache in her chest. The man she married was a puppet, controlled by his father's ambition and his own selfish desires. She stood up and walked to the door. "Where are you going?" Bennett asked, a flicker of concern on his face. "The party's not over." "| have a headache," she said, the lie coming easily now. "I'm going home." "I'll come with you," he offered, the dutiful husband mask slipping back on. Just then, Aria appeared in the doorway, looking pale. "Bennett, | don't feel well. | think | need to lie down." His attention snapped back to her instantly. "Of course, baby. Let's get you home." He turned to Kelsey, his face already 60 7% 09-071 um ---- distant. "You'll be okay on your own, right?" "I'll be fine," Kelsey said. She walked out of the Randolph mansion, the cold night air a welcome shock to her system. She didn't look back. She knew she would never set foot in that house again. That night, their penthouse remained empty. Bennett didn't come home. He didn't call. The next afternoon, he returned, not alone. He was carrying Aria's suitcases.