Vionnet smiled darkly , her gaze drifting out to the sea . " I want you and Barrington to die together . " Everyone present froze , stunned by her words . They thought she was completely insane . But Trevor didn't flinch . He remained calm . " I'm willing to die ," he said steadily , " but Barrington isn't here . I can't guarantee that ." The blood drained from Xanthe's face . She had known Trevor loved her - but she hadn't realized he loved her enough to die for her . " It's fine . He'll be here soon . Look - he's right behind you ," Vionnet said with a smile , lifting her hand and pointing casually behind them . Barrington emerged from the sea , soaked from head to toe . With Trevor ordering a city - wide manhunt for him , this had been the only way he could sneak in . But the moment he climbed ashore , he saw the scene unfolding and ran forward . " Vionnet ? What the hell are you doing ? Let Xanthe go ! " But his words only enraged Vionnet further . The knife in her hand pressed deeper into Xanthe's neck . " Barry , you're the one begging me right now . Try to understand your position . If I get even a little upset , one slip of the hand - and this bride dies . " Barrington caught his breath , his chest tightening . Trying his best to speak carefully , he asked , " What do you want ? " That question widened Vionnet's smile . " You both love Xanthe , don't you ? I'll help her figure out who loves her more . Let's see which one of you is willing to die for her . " Barrington's expression changed instantly . " Vionnet , you're playing with fire ! I know you only did all this out of a moment of confusion . Let Xanthe go . I'll protect you ! " Vionnet scratched her ear impatiently , clearly annoyed . " Xanthe , it looks like Barrington doesn't love you all that much after all . He's not willing to die for you . " In comparison , Trevor actually is . " Hmm . Trevor's love for you is so deep , and he's always treated you so well . You must've been blind to choose someone like Barrington . " But too bad - since Barrington won't die for you . That means you'll have to die instead . " She twisted the knife slightly in her hand , as if she might slice Xanthe's throat at any second . At that critical moment , Barrington shouted , " You're pregnant with my child , Vionnet ! Are you really willing to let that baby grow up without a father ? " The cro 12:45 pm D Hearing that , Vionnet raised her brows and let out a cold laugh . " Father ? Oh , I forgot to mention - this baby isn't yours . It's from a random model I hooked up at a bar . " She giggled . " What can I say ? He was good , high quality . One time and it worked . Unlike you - useless . " Her words were like a bombshell . Everyone around them looked at Barrington differently . For the first time , a cheating scandal had unfolded so publicly . Everyone knew he'd been played . Fury quickly surged in Barrington's eyes . He looked like he could kill her on the spot . But Vionnet didn't stop . " Don't act like you're the only one who's been betrayed . You're no saint either . " Men like you are the worst . You want a sweet , obedient wife at home , but also go out looking for excitement and fresh thrills . In the end , you lose everything. " You brought this on yourself , Barry ." While Vionnet and Barrington argued , Xanthe had been quietly looking for a way to escape . But she had nothing sharp on her and couldn't fight back , at least not yet . But Vionnet caught on to her ex - best friend's intentions immediately . The blade on Xanthe's neck dug in deeper as Vionnet threatened , " Stay still ! Try anything and I'll kill you right now ! " Xanthe clenched her fists and said through gritted teeth , " I've always treated you decently Vionnet . If you want to hate someone , hate Barrington . What good does doing this to me give you ? " Something in Vionnet's gaze softened slightly . " You're right . You were good to me . If it weren't for Barrington , maybe we could've been rea friends . But we fell for the same man . That doomed us from the start ." She turned to Barrington . " I'll give you one last chance . If you're willing to die for Xanthe , I'll let her go . " Everyone held their breath , waiting for his answer . Barrington looked at Xanthe and said , " If Xanthe still loved me , I would die for her . But now , she loves another man ." He paused , hesitating to continue . But in the end , he dropped his answer . " I ... I'm sorry , Xanthe ." Xanthe's expression barely changed . It was as if she'd expected this all along . Barrington was the textbook definition of a self - serving man . Why would he ever die for her ? Vionnet sneered . " Well , Xanthe , looks like you don't mean all that much to him after all ." " In that case ... " Vionnet smirked like a devil . " Say goodbye , and go to hell ." Chapter 22