Chapter 50 His attitude
The day after collapsing from the overseas deals falling through, Jonathan’s father fainted again upon waking and hearing more bad news. He was already overwhelmed trying to salvage both domestic and foreign businesses. He couldn’t believe so much fell apart
overnight.
He wanted to ask Cyril for help but found him even busier, not intending to meet at all.
Finally, Jonathan cornered Cyril after work, unable to endure anymore.
“Instead of bothering me, think about resolving this yourself,” Cyril replied bluntly. “You brought it on with your offensive behavior last night.”
Though unaware of the exact details from the gala, Cyril knew enough from the aftermath about Jonathan’s inappropriate actions. Bruce’s retaliation made sense.
“But you never said anything when I bullied Sylvia before,” Jonathan argued. “Now you’re suddenly defending her over our years of brotherhood? Don’t tell me you regret how you treated her after the divorce. I’m telling you any regret is pointless. Sylvia is in this situation now regardless, and it’s got nothing to do with you!”
Cyril looked at Jonathan strangely. “What are you talking about? I never let you mistreat her. That was your own doing, so don’t blame me for it.”
“But your
attitude conveyed approval of how I acted,” Jonathan insisted. “You made it clear she didn’t matter to you either way. If it wasn’t for that, who would have treated her like this?”
Jonathan’s words gave Cyril pause as he carefully considered his past behavior towards Sylvia. He hadn’t thought anything was wrong with his treatment of her. But if even Jonathan was criticizing him, could his attitude have been an issue?
Reflecting back, he mostly disregarded Sylvia, keeping her at arm’s length. Those around him read his emotions clearly. Once they sensed her unimportance to him, their treatment of her changed accordingly. So was he largely responsible for her suffering today?
Cyril’s expression darkened at the prospect. It had never occurred to him that his indifference could spur so many consequences.
Seeing Cyril’s sudden displeasure, Jonathan worried about having spoken out of turn. ” What’s wrong? Did I say something incorrect? You don’t need to take it so seriously. You didn’t consider her worth caring about when you married anyway…”
“Regardless of how I saw her, Sylvia was still my wife,” Cyril interjected.
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When they married, divorce had never crossed Cyril’s mind. Marriage was for life in his eyes, If he wedded her then his duty was to fulfill that commitment.
So even if he disregarded Sylvia, separating was never his intent. How had things deteriorated to this point? While others undoubtedly played a role by worsening tensions, weren’t the fundamental issues due to his own failings?
Cyril dared not consider further, fearing a loss of self–control if he did.
Jonathan gaped in disbelief that such words came from Cyril. “Then why didn’t you make that clear before? At least saying so would have made people respect your wishes and be more considerate of her. How could anyone know you never intended to divorce? We all assumed you married unwillingly.”
This was painfully awkward. Everyone thought Cyril disliked Sylvia, leading to her mistreatment. Yet now he claimed he never considered leaving her. How preposterous!
Unable to respond, Cyril had never realized his deficiencies before. Unsure how to resolve this, he deflected, “Deal with your own matters first, then talk about others‘.”
He promptly left without glancing back at Jonathan, who felt something was off but couldn’t pinpoint what. With Cyril gone, he had no choice but to figure things out himself, though Cyril’s reaction seemed oddly suspicious.
Rather than going home, Cyril headed straight for a bar, plagued by unwelcome thoughts that liquor might drown out. He felt awful, on edge.
Suddenly, a familiar figure entered that he couldn’t stop watching approach and sit next to him. “Sylvia…” he uttered without thinking.
She flinched at his voice, neither confirming nor denying her identity.
Somewhat inebriated, Cyril started to reach out but caught himself, slumping over the
counter instead.
Having finally tracked Cyril’s location, Carina was shocked to find him drinking over Sylvia. How could he still care for someone he also despised? When Cyril hated Sylvia as much as she did, why would he call Sylvia’s name now?
Taking a deep breath to steady her roiling emotions, Carina focused on what mattered – she was the one by Cyril’s side right now, not Sylvia.
And after years of marriage, Sylvia had failed to earn Cyril’s love, proof of her inadequacy. If she lacked the capability, then she should step aside.
Resolved, Carina helped Cyril up to a hotel room since they were above the bar. Cyril
Chapter 50 His attitude
awakened with a splitting headache and discovered Carina sleeping next to him.