After I Left, His Empire Collapsed Chapter 12

After I Left, His Empire Collapsed Chapter 12

Sadie’s needle landed exactly where she aimed.

Julian’s anger reignited.

“You did this on purpose. Quit. Take a job in Europe. All because I helped Sadie with a visa issue. You’re this petty?”

“Call it off. Now. I’m not asking.”

“Or we’re done. The wedding is off.”

He wielded breakup like a weapon. Always had. He knew I couldn’t bear to leave him. Every argument, every disagreement, he’d threaten to end it.

And I’d fold. Apologize for things I didn’t do. Beg.

Not anymore.

I let out a cold laugh.

“Julian. You forget. We broke up two days ago. The day you married Sadie.”

The words hit him. His body swayed. He stood rooted to the spot.

Beside him, Sadie’s lips curved. The gleam of imminent victory in her eyes.

It took him a long moment to find his voice.

“Wait. That day. You weren’t just angry? You meant it?”

“I always mean what I say.”

Julian’s jaw clenched.

“Just because I registered with Sadie?”

“Yes.”

He stumbled slightly. Cracking.

“Vanessa. Ten years. And you’re ending it over something this small?”

“A legal process. That’s it. You’re really going to throw us away for this?”

I almost admired his delusion.

“Yes.”

“Ten years, Julian. I waited for you to take me to the courthouse. Ten years. Sadie has a visa problem, and you marry her the same day. Who matters more? It’s not complicated.”

“Ten years of history. Means nothing. You ditched your girlfriend of a decade for a woman you’ve known six months. Left me standing at the courthouse all day.”

“You know what it felt like? Watching couples walk in and out. All those ceremonies. And me. Waiting. Alone. Do you have any idea what the strangers in that lobby must have thought? What they said?”

The memory still stung. The humiliation. The pitying looks. I didn’t want to feel any of it ever again.