Undressed By His Arrogance-Chapter 225: I Broke Them

"I broke them." Winn said.

"I’m sorry... what?"

"I needed to break something."

He said it so calmly that Sylvia just stared at him.

"What’s going on?" she demanded, stepping closer.

"Ivy is back."

"Yeah, I follow the news, Winn," she said, folding her arms. "Saw you drooling over her at the groundbreaking party. So I am assuming you’re finally going to divorce Sharona — if that isn’t done yet."

"Actually..." Winn cleared his throat. "That’s why I needed you here."

Sylvia’s eyebrows shot up. "What’s up?"

Winn inhaled sharply. "I need you to sign the document that states that I married for love."

Sylvia went silent.

A half minute passed before she exhaled sharply through her nose. "I must admit... I don’t understand. You are divorcing her, aren’t you?"

"Yes," Winn said bitterly, "but she plans on making this the stinkiest divorce ever. Messy. Dramatic." He rubbed his temple. "I would rather not shine any more spotlight on Ivy. She’s been through enough. And I just want to be free from Sharona."

"I can’t drag Ivy into more scandal. She’s fragile right now..." He swallowed. "She’s been hurt for so long. She’s holding herself together with threads. Sharona knows exactly where to stab to cause the most damage."

"I’m not doing it. I cannot do it. I won’t do it," Sylvia snapped.

"Sylvia, please. I am trapped."

She turned slowly, eyes blazing. "I warned you, didn’t I? I warned you against marrying Sharona, but you wouldn’t listen to me. No one listens to me. No one takes me seriously."

Winn dragged a hand through his hair. "Sylvia, don’t be like this."

"I am not doing it, Winn." Her finger stabbed through the air. "You either stay married to Sharona for the stipulated ten years or take the stinky divorce. I cannot believe you would ask me this. I did not expect this from you."

Winn’s patience snapped. "I have never asked you for anything," he shouted. "This once... this once... you tell me no?"

The anger didn’t leave her face. She grabbed her purse and stood. "I didn’t come here to fight. And honestly?" Her gaze swept over the broken décor, the emotional wreck standing in front of her. "I don’t think you really need me here."

"Syl," Winn called, stepping toward her. "Come on."

"No. No, Winn. I expected this from Dad — not you. Not you at all."

And with that, she turned and stormed out.

Winn exhaled slowly, shoulders collapsing. He sat heavily on the couch.

Sylvia was right.

Of course she was right.

What was the point of any of this? He couldn’t be with Ivy — not truly — not if every step he took dragged danger behind him. Not if Sharona could turn Ivy into collateral damage for fun.

He couldn’t put the woman he... loved — yes, damn it, loved — in the crosshairs of his toxic marriage and life.

So what was the point?

He stared at his hands.

He could still imagine the life he wanted: Ivy in this mansion, Ivy in his bed, tangled in sheets and in him.

But Sharona had him chained.

He pressed his palms to his eyes.

He wasn’t trying to cheat his grandfather.

He wasn’t even trying to win.

He just wanted to be free.

Free from Sharona’s claws.

Free from the shame of his own mistakes.

But now?

Now even Sylvia, the one who always had his back — couldn’t save him from the mess he’d tied himself into.

"What’s the point," he whispered. "If I can never be with her anyway?"

****

Reese opened the door to his modest apartment the very second the doorbell chimed, expecting maybe a delivery or the nosy neighbor. Instead, Sylvia Kane stood there — striking, wind-tossed hair, blazer hanging off one shoulder.

"Miss Kane! You’re back!" Reese blurted, his face lighting up before he could hide it. The relief in his voice betrayed him. He’d liked the quiet when she left, yes — but he’d missed her brand of chaos more than he’d ever admit.

"You seem excited. Did you miss me?" Sylvia teased, leaning against the doorframe.

Reese coughed, straightened. "Just glad you’re back, that’s all, Miss Kane. Come in. Is everything alright?"

Sylvia stepped inside. "I need to talk to you," she said, dropping her purse on his dining chair. "You seem to be the only person who will tell me the truth."

"Well, I try," Reese muttered, pouring her a glass of water unasked. He motioned for her to sit, and Sylvia dropped onto his couch. "How is Canada?"

"It’s just fine," she said flatly.

Reese sat across from her, leaning forward, forearms resting on his knees. "So tell me. What’s the problem?"

Sylvia exhaled long and deep. "Winn wants me to confirm that he indeed married for love." She rubbed her forehead with the heel of her hand. "So he can get the rest of the inheritance."

Reese blinked, slowly. Then he stood, walked to the counter, and filled his own glass of water. "Depends on where that resolution is coming from."

"He thinks it’s the easiest way to get Sharona off his back," Sylvia muttered.

"Easiest? Your brother is spiralling, Sylvia. The man has gone off the deep end. He’d give his soul at this point if it gave him any peace."

Sylvia’s lips tightened. "He looked... bad, Reese. I’ve never seen him like that."

Reese turned to her fully. "He has one task in mind now. One goal." He pointed to his temple. "It’s all that’s driving him — to find whoever hurt Ivy. Everyone involved. He’s obsessing. If you sign that document, you’re not helping him."

Sylvia’s throat bobbed. "He begged me."

"Which tells you just how far gone he is."

Sylvia’s eyes lifted. "You think Sharona will drag this out for years?"

Reese scoffed. "Sharona? That woman would drag it into the afterlife if she could. And Winn knows it. That’s why he’s desperate." He sank onto the couch beside her.

"Why are you so wise?" Sylvia asked.

Reese huffed a quiet laugh. "My point," he said slowly, "is let him know you’re there for him. But that it’s your turn to guide him. To help him out of his spiral." His gaze was steady, unflinching. "Which also means," he added, "you have to tell him everything you’re keeping from him."

Sylvia’s face went stiff. That was the one thing she’d hoped he wouldn’t say aloud — the one truth she’d hoped to ignore a bit longer. She swallowed hard. "Reese... if I tell him everything, he’s never speaking to me again."

Reese shrugged one shoulder. "Maybe for a while. I don’t know the gravity of what you are hiding." he admitted. "He’ll be furious. Betrayed. Dramatic as hell — he’s Winn, after all." He gave her a pointed look. "But your brother loves you. It won’t be forever. And Sylvia...You need to finally learn that there are consequences for every one of our actions. You can’t keep trying to get away with everything because you mean well."

Sylvia rolled her eyes. "I don’t try to get away with everything."

Sylvia rubbed her palms against her thighs. "Can I stay here? Please. I can’t go back to Winn tonight. I just... I mean he called me all the way from Canada to do what? Sign a document fraudulently?"

"You can stay," he said firmly. "Of course you can."

Sylvia let out a breath she didn’t realise she’d been holding.

"But—" Reese added.

Sylvia groaned. "Of course there’s a but."

Reese smirked. "I’m still telling him you’re here."

Her head snapped up. "Reese!"

"I’m gonna head to bed, you can take the guest room," Reese said, stretching his arms over his head.

"Why? Still not going to fuck me yet?" she asked.

"Nope!" Reese said simply as he stood. He closed his water bottle, tossed it on the counter with a clatter, and walked toward the hallway.

"Fuck you!"

"That’s what you want to do, remember?" he shot back over his shoulder, not even slowing down. The bastard was actually smiling. She could hear it in his voice.

Sylvia pushed off the sofa and stalked after him, her hair falling around her shoulders. "Reese, come on. I know you want me. You kissed me the day I was leaving for Canada."

He stopped at the entrance to his room. His hand rested on the doorframe. When he turned, his eyes were darker. "Yeah, I did," he said. "I admit it, you have grown on me. But that doesn’t mean I should give in to my desires."

"What’s the harm in giving in?" Sylvia asked. Truthfully asked.

"You don’t know me, that’s the harm." Then, without giving her the chance to argue, he slammed the door right in her face.

Sylvia stood there, staring at the closed door, her mouth half open. "Seriously?" she muttered. Who slammed doors in her face? Men didn’t resist her. Men didn’t...walk away.

Except Reese.

She glared at the innocent door as if it personally offended her, then spun around and padded back down the hallway.