The Night He Chose Her, I Chose My Revenge Chapter 23

The Night He Chose Her, I Chose My Revenge Chapter 23

Julian Croft appeared in the family court waiting area right on time.

He was so thin he looked like a suit on a hanger. The Savile Row tailoring that had once fit him perfectly now hung loose on his frame, and his face was as pale as the South Carolina winter sky.

Penelope Hayes trailed behind him.

Her belly was visibly swollen, but the exquisite pride of the former “Charleston sweetheart” was gone, replaced by red, puffy eyes and a face etched with exhaustion.

She had probably finally realized that the world she had sacrificed everything to enter was now a ruin.

I walked into the hall in a sharp white suit, flanked by my family, my steps composed.

Julian’s gaze locked onto me, a thousand emotions churning in his eyes. I had no desire to interpret any of them.

I looked away and ignored the empty seat beside him.

As we waited, he still shuffled over and sat down next to me.

He said nothing, just stared at the worn marble floor, exuding an air of decay.

A dead silence stretched between us.

Until the bailiff called our names.

I stood, ready to end it all.

Julian suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist.

His grip was surprisingly strong. His shoulders shook, and for the first time, his voice held a broken sob.

“Elara, I regret it.”

“I really, really regret it. I miss you so much. I…”

I didn’t let him finish. I yanked my hand back.

My voice was cold, like ice hitting the floor.

“Don’t do this, Julian. My brother is waiting for me outside.”

The procedure was surprisingly quick.

When the clerk handed me the thin divorce decree, a lightness I had never known washed over me.

I hurried out of the courthouse. I thought I heard Julian calling my name from behind, but I didn’t look back.

“Congratulations, Elara. You’re free.”

Liam met me at the doors, undisguised joy on his face as he opened the car door for me.

“Mom and Dad already booked a restaurant. We’re going home.”

He fastened my seatbelt, and the car pulled smoothly away from the curb.

I glanced in the rearview mirror.

Julian was still standing on the courthouse steps, staring after us in a daze.

The next second, Penelope rushed up and slapped him hard across the face, then grabbed his arm, arguing fiercely.

The car drove farther and farther away.

Charleston’s gray streets, along with those two entangled figures, disappeared from view.

Listening to Liam cheerfully plan our trip back to Austin, I finally felt a smile bloom from the bottom of my heart.

From now on, Julian Croft no longer existed.