He Broke My Heart, My Family Broke His Empire Chapter 05

He Broke My Heart, My Family Broke His Empire Chapter 05

I didn’t answer, just kept watering the orchids on the terrace.

In the past, every time Julian brought a woman home, I’d be so disgusted I would throw up.

Now, I didn’t care. If anything, the air felt fresher.

My lack of reaction only seemed to darken Julian’s mood.

He suddenly said, “Where is the Ashworth signet ring I gave you?”

My hand paused.

Only for a moment.

I set down the watering can and walked to the safe in the bedroom, retrieving a velvet jewelry box.

Inside lay a heavy gold signet ring engraved with the ancient Ashworth family crest.

Julian had given it to me when we were first married.

“Clara,” he had said that day, “this is the mark of the lady of the house.”

I’d been stunned, and had treasured it ever since.

Now, I placed it in Felicity’s hand myself.

“You’re right,” I said. “This ring symbolizes the family’s future. Of course it should go to the person who gets to go to Nantucket.”

The moment the words left my mouth, Julian crushed the crystal glass in his hand.

Shards and whiskey sprayed across the floor.

“Clara Calloway, what the hell are you doing?”

I didn’t know how to answer.

I truly didn’t understand what more he wanted from me.

Julian had once been obsessed with a gallery owner. He’d come to me and asked for a painting I’d brought from Texas, all for her.

It was a piece by my favorite Texas artist.

I was furious. I refused, and we had a terrible fight.

It was ugly.

The woman cried, playing the victim, and Julian lost his temper, utterly humiliating me in public.

“Clara, do you have to be so crass?”

“It’s just a painting. Why are you fighting her over it?”

Now, I had just handed over the most important ring in the family without a second thought.

What more could he possibly want?