He Broke My Heart, My Family Broke His Empire Chapter 23

He Broke My Heart, My Family Broke His Empire Chapter 23

Julian arrived at the Suffolk County Probate and Family Court right on time.

He had lost even more weight. His expensive suit hung off his frame, and his face was as pale as Boston snow.

Felicity trailed behind him, her belly now obviously pregnant. But the triumphant pride was gone, replaced by red, swollen eyes and a wretched expression. She looked like a gambler who had just realized she’d bet everything on the losing hand.

Julian’s gaze locked on me, a storm of complicated emotions in his eyes.

I looked away, fixing my gaze on the cold white walls of the courthouse.

“Let’s go in,” I said, my voice flat. “Let’s get this over with.”

While we waited, he stubbornly sat on the bench next to me, a single empty seat between us like an uncrossable chasm. He stared at the floor, looking as if all the bones had been pulled from his body.

Neither of us spoke.

Not until a clerk called our names in a flat, emotionless tone.

I stood up.

Julian suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist. His grip was surprisingly strong, his knuckles white.

His shoulders trembled. “Clara,” he said, his voice cracking. “I regret it. I really do.”

“I miss you. I’m so sorry.”

I pulled my hand back, the movement sharp and decisive. My voice was colder than the wind outside.

“Don’t. My brother is waiting for me.”

The process was shockingly fast.

When the clerk handed me the stamped divorce decree, I felt the heavy shackles of the past five years shatter.

My whole body felt lighter. I practically ran out of the office.

I thought I heard Julian call my name behind me, but I didn’t look back.

Not once.

“You’re free! You’re finally free!” Wyatt was waiting by the car, his face lit up with a smile as bright as the Texas sun. “Mom and Dad already booked the flight home and made reservations at the restaurant. Let’s go.”

He gently fastened my seatbelt.

The car started and merged into traffic. In the rearview mirror, I saw Julian standing frozen in place, staring after us as if his soul had left his body.

The next second, Felicity rushed up, raised her hand, and slapped him hard across the face. Then she grabbed his arm and began dragging him back toward the courthouse, clearly determined to get their marriage license that very day and cling to her last, desperate hope.

The car drove on.

Soon, his figure, along with the whole ridiculous farce, disappeared from my rearview mirror.

Listening to Wyatt plan the party we would throw when we got back to Texas, I finally smiled. A real smile, from the bottom of my heart.

From now on, there would be no Julian Ashworth in my world.