Six Years as His Mistress

Chapter 5 Give It Back

Violet's heart jumped straight into her throat.

"Cinny, how about I get you a better one than this?" Percival said, gently patting her head.

"I want this one! All of this was meant for me in the first place. She's the one who stole everything that was supposed to be mine." Cynthia's eyes instantly filled with tears.

For six years, with a face that looked almost identical to Cynthia's, Violet had been forced to act as her shield, taking countless attacks and schemes meant for Cynthia.

If Violet hadn't been there, Cynthia might have been killed by Percival's enemies long ago.

If Percival had even the slightest bit of conscience...

"Vivi, Cynthia's right. That violin was never yours to begin with. Give it back."

Through the drifting smoke, Violet met his cold gaze. The impact hit her hard.

"What about me? I've been in Morvani for six years. I've been kidn*pped eighteen times because people thought I was Cynthia. She's been living comfortably overseas while I've had to fight for my life every single time."

Violet's voice trembled slightly, but what filled it more was disbelief.

"If I hadn't shown up, she might not even be alive today! I've risked my life for her over and over again, and you're arguing with me over a violin. Percival, what matters more, her life or the violin?"

"Her life." Percival took another drag from his cigarette, his voice rough. "But your life is worthless. Even if you died ten thousand times, it wouldn't add up to a fraction of that violin."

"Vivi, if you're going to blame anyone, blame yourself for having that face and for not being born into a better family." Percival crushed the cigarette out, that same amused, careless smile still on his face.

Rage surged straight to Violet's head, wiping away the last of her restraint. She grabbed the violin and hurled it viciously at Cynthia.

Percival reacted instantly, pulling Cynthia under him to shield her. The violin slammed into his back, drawing a muffled groan from his throat.

"Percy! Are you okay?" Cynthia cried.

The next second, Percival's hand snapped around Violet's throat like a steel clamp.

Those hands had once roamed every inch of her body, had once given her the most intoxicating pleasure. Now they were wrapped around her neck, ready to crush the life out of her.

"Violet," he said darkly. "Have I been too soft on you lately?"

Violet felt the air being torn from her lungs. Her face flushed red, the suffocating pressure leaving her unable to speak.

When she blinked, a few involuntary tears slid down and landed on the back of Percival's hand.

Percival froze for a moment, as if burned. Then, almost abruptly, he let go.

"Seven days in the confinement room. Think about what you've done."

*****

Inside the confinement room, there was no sense of day or night. Violet had no idea how many days had passed.

"Violet. Look at you. Without a man backing you up, you're pathetic."

Cynthia walked in alone, pleasure flickering in her eyes.

Violet looked at her with faint pity, as if she were watching a clown perform.

"You slut who only knows how to seduce men. And you're still putting on that act? What, you think you're some high-born lady?"

Cynthia was clearly furious. Violet was nothing but a stray, yet even now, she still carried herself with that same arrogant composure!

"Cynthia, the man you treasure so much was nothing more than a moment's indulgence for me. And you... I've never once considered you a rival," Violet said calmly.

The upbringing she had received since childhood meant she had never needed to fight for anything in such a way.

"A moment's indulgence?" A male voice dripping with dark anger echoed from the doorway.

Percival walked in with his hands in his pockets, a faint, unreadable smile on his lips.

"How could you say that about Percy?" Cynthia slapped Violet hard across the face, pretending to be outraged.

A flicker of surprise flashed in Violet's eyes. But the next second, her hand lashed out just as fast and struck Cynthia across the face.

Cynthia had never expected her to fight back. The slap sent her stumbling, a thin line of blood appearing at the corner of her mouth.

"Percy!" Cynthia stamped her foot, tears streaming down her face.

"Alright, Cinny. Whichever hand she used to slap you, I'll pull every nail off that hand. Will that make you feel better?" Percival said gently, holding Cynthia close.

Watching the affectionate scene in front of her, Violet forced down the metallic taste rising in her throat.

"Isn't just pulling her nails too easy on her? She'd still be able to play the violin afterward! Then I wouldn't be the only one playing for you anymore!" Cynthia whined.

"Then how about we cut the tendons in her hands?" Percival said, unusually patient.

"You'll regret this," Violet hissed, her teeth gritted so hard her jaw ached.

Percival had no idea that the wrath of the McCarthy family was not something they could survive.

"Regret what?" Percival let out a mocking laugh. "Violet, the thing I regret most right now is spoiling you too much. That's why you've forgotten who you are. You keep pushing your luck and acting like you're above everything."

*****

As the two of them left, Cynthia turned back to look at Violet's wrist, now a bloody, mangled mess. A faint smile of triumph appeared on her lips.

"b***h," she mouthed silently, declaring her victory.