Although Xanthe was taken aback , she wasn't surprised . Barrington had always had feelings for Vionnet . It wasn't exactly unexpected that he would go this far for her . Had it happened before , Xanthe might've taken it personally . But now , she simply responded with a calm composure . " Alright . " After all , she was leaving soon . Whether their wedding photos were burned now or later didn't make much difference . For a second , Barrington froze , a flicker of surprise crossing his face . He'd only said those words out of frustration , annoyed she hadn't given him a way to save face . ' Wasn't she the one who used to treasure those things the most ? Why's she suddenly agreeing so easily ? ' Without another word , Xanthe called a servant to take down the framed pictures from the wall . They carried them to the garden and burned them until nothing remained . Vionnet had just returned from Germany and wasn't ready to move into her own place yet , sc Barrington offered her a room in the villa for a while . Xanthe had agreed , showing no hesitation . " Sure ," she said . She even told the housekeeper to prepare the guest room next to Barrington's for Vionnet - ther quietly moved her own things into a smaller room downstairs . As she was packing , Barrington's voice came from behind her . " Come on , don't be so petty . I know you're just jealous , but Vionnet's only staying here for a while . " He lingered by the door , his arms folded . " You hate sleeping alone. Moving downstairs - can you even get a good night's rest here ? " He hesitated , then softened his tone . " About the photos - I overstepped . If they meant something to you , we can take new ones . When there's time . " He stepped closer , reaching to hug her from behind - only for her to slip out of reach . Turning to face him , she met his gaze . Calm . Clear . To be fair , Barrington had treated her decently over the past three years . He'd done enough to make her believe - just maybe - they could last . But every time Vionnet appeared , he never hesitated . He always chose her . Xanthe loved him . She really did . But what she wanted wasn't love handed out with conditions or affection that came second to someone else . " I'm not jealous ," she said calmly . " You've been working late a lot lately . Sleeping alone helps me rest better . " Barrington's face hardened . He wasn't used to pushback , not from her . He'd already swallowed his pride - this was supposed to be the part where she softened too . " Whatever , " he said coldly . " By the way , what was that document you had me signed this 212 25 12:38 pm S afternoon ? " Xanthe replied , " A little gift for our third anniversary . You'll see soon enough . " At that , Barrington's expression eased a touch . He knew Xanthe minded Vionnet's presence . But Vionnet had just returned to Illinois , and he was only helping out as a friend . Once her apartment renovations were done in a few months , things would go back to normal . He still intended to live a proper life with Xanthe . " Alright . It's late . You should get some rest . " As she walked past him , he instinctively held out his arms , expecting the usual goodnight hug- but she walked right past him without a glance . He stared after her , sensing that something about her had changed . He just couldn't put his finger on what . At midnight , Xanthe - already asleep - was yanked out of bed and dragged upstairs . Her shoulder slammed into the wall . The impact stole her breath . Dazed , blinking through the pain , she heard his voice above her - cold and sharp as ice . " I get that you're jealous of Vionnet , but drugging her ? That's a line you don't cross , Xanthe . " She looked up , her vision swimming . On the bed , Vionnet was lying and clinging to Barrington's arms . Her cheeks flushed deep red and her breath came in gasps . " I didn't do it ! It wasn't me ! " Xanthe cried out . No sooner had she spoken than Vionnet began sobbing . " I only drank the milk you gave me ... I didn't have anything else ... " Xanthe's mind snapped into focus . Her narrowed eyes stared at Vionnet . " You asked for that glass of milk ! I drank from it too - why am I fine , then ? " " And what would I even gain from drugging you ? " She scoffed . " Vionnet , if you're going to frame me , at least make it believable ! " She was telling the truth . And she wasn't going to take the blame . But as soon as she finished speaking , Vionnet just sobbed even harder . " Forget it . If she says faked it , then ... then maybe I did . I have nothing else to say . " Xanthe clenched her fists as fury boiled under her skin . It felt like punching water - no resistance , no justice . That was it for Barrington . His voice rang out again , harsher this time . " That's enough , Xanthe . This isn't the first time you've done something like this . You know exactly what happened three years ago ." His words dropped like a hammer . " You really think someone with a record like yours deserves trust ? " One sentence . That was all it took to convict her . She stared at him . " I'll say it again , " she said in clenched teeth , each word crystal clear . " I did not drug you three years ago . " 213 2.5 % 12:38 pm Back then , she'd heard Barrington was drinking alone at a bar . Worried something would happen to him , she went after him . Turns out , someone had already drugged him . Yes , she loved him . Yes , things spiraled . But no , she didn't plan it all . He never believed her , though . From that night on , it became a wound that never healed . " Barry , I can't help it . Please ... help me ... " Vionnet moaned , clinging to him as she writhed , her nightgown slipping from her shoulder . Barrington frowned and pushed her away , only for her to snatch a small knife from the drawer and slash it across her arm . " I know I'm a burden , " she sobbed . " I should just disappear , so you don't have to worry about me anymore ." Blood quickly streamed down her pale arm , staining the sheets deep red . Barrington clenched his fists , then grabbed the knife from her hand . " I'll help you ," he said .