The Tenth Unanswered Call

Caspian started avoiding my calls, staying out late every night, claiming he was swamped with work.

Sterling was worse, drowning himself in alcohol and attending an endless string of parties without Scarlett.

It was only then that my sister and I saw the truth: our marriages were nothing more than a tool for the brothers to maintain their family's pristine public image.

All those vows, all those promises of forever… they were nothing but cold, selfish calculations.

They claimed Vivienne was "just a sister," but she was the one they truly adored.

It was pathetic how long we had let ourselves be fooled.

We watched in silence as they welcomed a newly pregnant Vivienne back into the Hawthorne manor, showering her with an attentiveness they had never shown us.

Two powerful CEOs, suddenly neglecting their duties, ignoring their own pregnant wives and unborn heirs, all to orbit Vivienne like satellites.

For three months, Scarlett and I had husbands in name only.

There were no surprise flowers, no romantic gestures. They were ghosts in our own homes, their love nowhere to be found.

We had ignored the obvious: their affection had been redirected.

Or maybe it was never there to begin with.

Fate must have been laughing at our naivety.

"The doctor said my spine can't handle high-impact movements anymore," Scarlett whispered against my shoulder. "My career is over."

I stroked her hair gently. "And I can never have another child."

"It feels like we gave up everything for nothing."

Lying in my hospital bed, I scrolled numbly through my phone.

Suddenly, a new Instagram Story from Vivienne popped up.

The video showed her lounging in a luxurious private hospital room while Caspian and Sterling doted on her. The two CEOs hovered protectively, bringing her gourmet meals and supplements.

She caressed her seven-month baby bump, gazing adoringly at them. "Thank you, my dear brothers. You always rush to my side whenever I'm in trouble."

Other people in the room cooed with envy.

"God, where can I get brothers like that?"

"Vivienne is so lucky to be spoiled by the Hawthorne brothers."

A few reporters, however, looked skeptical.

"But where are their wives? I heard Mrs. Juliet Hawthorne was kidnapped. Why didn't Mr. Hawthorne go to her?"

Their questions were quickly drowned out by a chorus of praise for the brothers.

A moment later, Scarlett’s phone pinged. Vivienne had sent the video directly to her.

Her voice was flat, hollow.

"Jules, I don't know why, but seeing this… I just feel numb."

"Since they're so desperate to play knight in shining armor, let them."

I took a deep breath.

"You're right. This has nothing to do with us anymore. I'm calling my lawyer to force the divorce. I can't take this for one more second, Scarlett."

My lawyer was remarkably efficient, filing the motion with the court the next day.

I asked him to have the divorce papers served to Caspian and Sterling immediately.

But two full days passed without a word from either of them.

The waiting was an agony, like being sliced open with a dull knife. I was the first to lose patience.

I called Caspian’s private number. "Did you get the court summons? Give me an answer."

What I got was another tirade of insults.

"Are you done with your games? The more you act like this, the less I want to come home. Stop testing my patience!"

I could only respond with stunned silence.

How had I never seen this monstrously narcissistic side of him before?

I was about to argue when Vivienne's sickeningly sweet voice floated through the line.

"Caspian, darling, what are you doing? Dinner's ready. Sterling and I have been waiting for ages."

Caspian moved to the balcony, clearly thinking I couldn't hear. I couldn't resist a taunt.

"No wonder you're too busy for a divorce. You're entertaining your dear 'sister.'"

Caspian flinched as if he’d been struck.

"Juliet, what is wrong with you? Vivienne is showing signs of a threatened miscarriage and needs someone to look after her. I'm just helping. Besides, unlike you, she can't cook."

At the mention of a child, my composure finally shattered.