C
1 met his gaze coldly. “Yes, I’m very happy.”
The genuine look on my face seemed to catch him off guard.
He froze, stiffening as the realization finally dawned that I wasn’t lying.
“Victoria, we…”
“Ah!”
A sudden, dramatic gasp interrupted him. Averil, who had been watching Julian’s let out a pitiful cry.
he
every move,
Julian immediately turned his attention to her. “Averil, what’s wrong?
you feeling unwell?
Η
Tears welled in Averil’s eyes as she sniffled. “Julian, I… I was going to wait a few more days to tell you, but… I’m pregnant.”
Julian blinked in surprise, his expression quickly softening into joy. “You’re pregnant? Why didn’t you tell me sooner? Come on, I’ll take you to the hospital right now!”
Before leaving the courthouse, he turned to glance at me one last time.
“Victoria, take some time to reflect on yourself.”
what.”
“Is that so?” I raised an eyebrow, looking past Julian. “Ash, how did I do today?”
“That dance belongs in heaven,” Norman said as he stepped forward, carrying a stunning bouquet of Juliet roses worth a fortune.
He walked up to me with an air of quiet confidence, drawing envious stares from everyone around us.
That was when I noticed that each ros right in the center of its petals.
in Norman’s bouquet had a massive diamond nestled
- The word “extravagant” would have been an understatement.
Without hesitation, I tossed the Louis XIV roses Julian had forced on me straight into the trash and carefully took the Juliet roses from Norman. Thank you, Ash.”
Julian’s jaw tightened, his fury barely contained. “Victoria Dean!”
“What’s with all the barking?” Norman shot back, his tone razor–sharp. “Is your rabies acting up? Need me to call the ambulance?”
I was stunned. It was the first time I’d seen Norman so sharp–tongued, and I found it both surprising and oddly refreshing.
I tilted my head up to look at him. He smiled softly, gently rubbing my cheek. “Dinner?”
“Yes! I’m starving,” I replied, naturally looping my arm through his.
Julian suddenly snapped. “Victoria, you’re not allowed to leave!”
I turned back and gave him one last glance.
“I’ll meet you at the courthouse tomorrow.”
Julian’s lips pressed into a tight line as he struggled to contain the storm brewing within him. “Fine. I’ll be there. Don’t you dare be late!”
He still clung to the stubborn belief that I couldn’t let go of our marriage.
But who would stay frozen in place, waiting forever for the faint hope of a glance from someone cold and indifferent?
The next morning, I arrived at the courthouse before it even opened.
Norman offered to wait with me, but I persuaded him to stay in the car.
“Ash, Julian is like a clingy parasite. I don’t want him attaching himself to you, Besides, we did love each other once. Let me say goodbye on my own.”
Before I erased him completely from my life, I wanted to give this relationship one final moment of dignity.
+25 BONUS
Chapter 25
But when Julian arrived with Averil by his side, any last shred of expectation I had was utterly.
crushed.
“What’s this? Weren’t you all diamonds and roses yesterday? Now you’re suddenly all alone. again?” Julian’s tone dripped with smug arrogance.
I looked at him, my voice steady and calm. “Let’s get the papers signed and go our separate. ways.”
Whatever taunts he had prepared were effectively silenced.
cuments, 1
With a final stamp on the divorce certificate was in my hand, and I exhaled deeply, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders.
Julian, on the other hand, didn’t seem nearly as pleased. Blocking my path with his arm, asked, “You’re happy about this?”
1 met his gaze coldly. “Yes, I’m very happy.”
The genuine look on my face seemed to catch him off guard.
He froze, stiffening as the realization finally dawned that I wasn’t lying.
“Victoria, we…”
“Ah!”
A sudden, dramatic gasp interrupted him. Averil, who had been watching Julian’s let out a pitiful cry.
