Chapter 5: I’ll divorce him

Caroline’s Point of View

After that confrontation with Knoxx, I don’t go home. I drive to my childhood estate, the house looming larger than I remember. It sits cold and imposing, framed by perfectly manicured gardens and tall hedges. The driveway stretches ahead of me, lined with palm trees that stand stiffly, like silent sentinels.

As I step inside, the chill in the air bites immediately. No laughter, no warmth—just the grand, empty space filled with imposing furniture and unyielding silence. It’s the home of a businessman, a place as reserved as the man who owns it.

“Ah, the prodigal daughter returns,” a voice calls from the living room.

I follow the sound and find my father seated in his usual spot: a luxurious leather armchair by the fireplace, sipping his tea. His gaze, cold and discerning, doesn’t soften as he looks at me, though a trace of surprise flits across his features.

“So,” he says, his voice laced with a blend of sarcasm and faint satisfaction, “the man finally abandoned you? Come to admit defeat?”

I swallow, knowing any defense will be met with skepticism. “Dad,” I reply, forcing a smile as I walk toward him. “I didn’t expect to be here either.”

He raises an eyebrow, waiting. “And?”

“I don’t know anymore…” I admit in low voice.

He remains silent for few seconds before he comments again, “You’ve lost weight. Does that man even feed you?”

“I’m fine, Dad,” I say, though the words feel heavy on my tongue. “I just… needed some time away.”

He furrows his brow, clearly not satisfied. “You rarely come home since you married that man. I regret agreeing to that ‘deal.’ I should have fought harder to keep you close. I don’t know why you pushed me to agree that we should keep it a secret that you’re my daughter.”

“Dad, please.” I look down and bit my lower lip. “I wanted to make things work. But  Knoxx… he’s not the man I thought he was.”

“What do you mean?” His voice sharpens, and I know he senses the shift in my tone.

“He cheated on me,” I say, forcing myself to hold his gaze.

He laughs dryly. “Of course he did. I told you he was no good. But you always had to go your own way, didn’t you?”

I sigh, my frustration bubbling up. “I thought I knew what I was doing.”

“Did you, now?” He sets his cup down and folds his hands, looking at me critically. “I gave you the choice, and you took it. Now, look at the consequences.”

I clench my jaw, the shame and anger mixing together. “I came here for some support, not to be told I made a mistake.”

“Support?” he scoffs. “The world doesn’t work that way, Caroline. Your choices have brought you to this point. What were you thinking, tying yourself to that man?”

“I thought… I thought things would change. I wanted to make it work.”

He narrows his eyes. “Making things work with a man like him? You’re too smart to be that naive. But there you go, believing in some fantasy instead of seeing him for what he is.”

The silence that follows is heavy, and I feel like a child again, seeking approval from someone who never gives it. But before I can respond, his tone softens, just slightly.

“Tell me one thing,” he says, his voice even, calculated. “Do you intend to stay with him?”

I shake my head. “No. I’m going to divorce him.”

He nods, his expression unreadable. “Good. It’s about time you took control of your own life.”

For the first time, I feel a flicker of relief. “Thank you, Dad.”

“Just remember,” he adds sharply, “you’re a Hill. We don’t cower to anyone. And certainly not to some fool who thinks he can toy with our name.”

I nod, letting his words sink in. Whatever else he may be, my father is a shrewd man, a businessman who’s never let emotions interfere with his goals. I know he cares, in his own way, even if his version of love is tainted by a certain sharpness.

After I talk with my dad, I decided to settle into my bed. The room is quiet, the only sound is the soft ticking of the clock on the wall. Just as I close my eyes, my phone buzzes loudly on the nightstand, cutting through the silence.

I glance at the screen, and my heart burns with anger when I see who is it. It’s Dolly.

Against my better judgment, I answer.

“You bitch!” she spits, her voice dripping with wrath. “You need to end things with Knoxx. Now!”

I sit up, blood raising in my head but I still remain calm. “Why would I do that?”

“Because he’s still in love with me!” she snaps, desperation spilling from her words. “You think you can take him from me? He’ll never truly choose you over me!”

I let out a short, incredulous laugh. “You sound so desperate right now, Dolly. This is sad.”

“Sad?” she hisses, her voice tightening. “You don’t understand! I will not let you take him away from me. I’ll do whatever it takes to break you two apart. I promise you that.”

Her threats hang in the air, and I feel a chill run down my spine. “You really think you can scare me? This is ridiculous.”

“You think you’re so strong, but I know how to get to him. I’ll make him see that he belongs with me,” she says, her voice trembling with conviction.

I shake my head, trying to push back the unease creeping in. “Good luck with that, Dolly.”

“Consider this your warning, Caroline,” she says with cold and venemous. “You’ll regret standing in my way.”

And then, the line goes dead.