When It Finally Snows in Manhattan Chapter 09

When It Finally Snows in Manhattan Chapter 09

Those short words made Julian’s eyes fly wide open.

“Claire!”

“I signed the divorce papers in the heat of the moment. That doesn’t mean a thing. And there’s no way in hell I’m buying that you were serious.”

Of course he’d acted on impulse, but he’d also been arrogant enough to believe he could.

For five years, after all, I’d loved him with the most desperate, groveling devotion.

Whether he was keeping a little mistress or humiliating me in front of all of New York.

I forgave him every time.

Even when it felt like a knife twisting in my heart. Even when I was sickened by the version of myself that forgave him.

So he’d gotten used to my compliance.

Even the household staff didn’t believe I’d leave.

They figured I was nothing without Julian—and besides, I loved him too recklessly.

Julian naturally thought the same thing.

Hearing him say that, I nearly clenched my fists hard enough to draw blood. “You knew. The second you covered for Yvonne and let her hurt my mom—you knew this day was coming. And now my mom’s dead.”

Julian’s eyes flashed with guilt. He grabbed my shoulders, frantic. “Claire, all of that—it was a misunderstanding.”

“I thought it was an accident. I swear, I thought she never meant to do it. But now I know. She planned the whole damn thing. I already took her to court. You have to believe me…”

I shook the filing forms in my hand at him. “Don’t bother. I’m suing both of you—you and Yvonne.”

I threw those words at him, walked straight to the police, and laid out the whole story.

The audio Yvonne had sent me also became ironclad proof of her collusion with Julian.

She’d believed Julian could shield her for life in New York. She was far too naive.

After I gave my statement, Sebastian exchanged a few more words with the officers.

I stepped outside the station for some air.

Julian still stood at the entrance, a cigarette shaking between his fingers.

I knew he only smoked when he was extremely anxious.

I’d once begged him to quit, saying it was bad for his health.

He’d stubbornly told me to mind my own business, but in truth, he’d quietly quit anyway.

So unless it was absolutely necessary, he never smoked.

When he saw me come out, Julian crushed the cigarette out fast.

“Claire…”

He seemed to remember something and pulled a gleaming gold trophy from his car.

“Claire, the Emmy is still yours this year. Nobody can take it from you. You can’t just toss this away too, can you?”

Looking at the trophy I’d once been so proud of, I felt nothing in my heart.

I’d become a weather anchor because of Julian.

During my career’s rise, I’d thought I’d finally carved out a place for myself in New York.

But when Julian publicly slapped me in the face, I realized that job was only ever dependent on him too.

So this trophy had become nothing but a badge of shame.

I stayed silent for a few seconds, then pushed it away.

“I don’t want it.”

Julian frowned deeply. “You don’t want it? Just because I threw a tantrum and gave it to Yvonne? You know I wasn’t serious.”

“I am!” My voice burst out, louder than I meant.

Right as I was losing control, Sebastian emerged from the station and personally draped a coat over my shoulders. “Let’s go home.”

The moment I took my first step, Julian grabbed my arm, his red eyes demanding.

“Claire, who is he?”

“You’re my wife. Someone sees this, what do you think happens to my name?”

The man’s eyes were terrifyingly red, flooded with disbelief.

All I did was shake his hand off hard and walk away without looking back.