Chapter 9
Chapter 9
11 288 Wouchers
William felt blood rush to his head as he charged forward.
“Jessica!”
Jose didn’t even turn around. As William closed in, he pivoted to shield Jessica completely behind him-a gesture of unquestionable possession.
“William, have you lost your mind?”
Jose’s voice was cold.
“Get out of my way!”
William’s eyes burned crimson, piercing the familiar silhouette behind Jose. “Jess, come out! Explain this to me!”
Jessica emerged slowly from behind Jose.
“Mr. Anderson,” she spoke calmly, her voice carrying through the silent space. “We’re divorced.”
“My actions are none of your concern.”
“What explanation could you possibly need?”
William staggered backward, staring at her in disbelief.
“You… what did you say?
I refuse!
I won’t accept this divorce!”
“Security.”
Jose raised a dismissive hand.
Two burly guards immediately flanked William, locking his arms.
“Release me!”
William thrashed wildly. “Jessica!
You can’t do this!
You love me!
You said you loved me!”
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Muffled laughter and whispers rippled through the crowd
“That’s the Anderson heir? Pathetic.”
“Heard he drove his wife out for his sister-in-law. Regretting it now?”
“Serves him right.”
A flicker of emotion finally crossed Jessica’s eyes-not pain, but irritation.
She couldn’t be bothered to glance at him again, turning to Jose instead. “Let’s leave. It’s too noisy here.”
“Of course.”
Jose tenderly ruffled her hair, guiding her away as all eyes followed. They vanished without looking back.
“Jessica!”
William was dragged bodily through the nightclub entrance.
He didn’t recall driving back to the manor.
No warm meals awaited him. No one greeted his return.
The oil painting Anna had hung in the living room glared from the wall.
Anna’s belongings scattered throughout the house churned his stomach.
“Victor?
You’re home?”
A soft voice drifted from the second floor.
William froze, looking up.
Anna descended the stairs in silk pajamas, one hand supporting her swollen belly
Uncase and hurt shadowed her face.
“Where were you?
You didn’t answer your calls.
Do you realize?
Your parents were furious today. The company’s stocks-”
William’s icy stare cut her off.
“I need space.
Anna blinked.
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“Victor, what’s wrong?”
She reached for his arm.
“Don’t touch me!”
He recoiled as if burned, violently shaking off her hand.
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Anna stumbled backward, barely catching herself. She instinctively shielded her belly, tears welling instantly.
“You… pushed me?
I’m carrying your child!”
Child.
That single word had been his excuse for betraying Jessica.
Now it tasted like bitter irony.
William looked at Anna’s tear-streaked face, those calculating eyes, the swollen belly.
For this woman, for this child, he’d destroyed the woman who loved him most in this world.
Uncontrollable nausea and rage surged from deep within.
“Get out.”
His voice rasped, as if scraped from the depths of his throat.
“What did you say?”
Anna couldn’t believe her ears.
William snapped his head up, bloodshot eyes like a cornered beast.
“I said get out!”
He roared, grabbing a lamp from the nightstand and smashing it onto the floor.
“Take your child and get out of here!”
“Everything here makes me sick!”
“You, your child, all of it!”
Anna paled, stumbling backward.
“William, you’re insane!
Insane over that woman!
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She doesn’t want you anymore!”
“You think kicking me out will bring her back?
Dream on!”
Her words struck his deepest wound.
Yes. She wouldn’t come back.
He’d pushed her away himself.
Pushed her right into another man’s arms.
Strength drained from him instantly. William collapsed onto the sofa.
He buried his head in his hands, releasing a guttural roar.
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Watching his breakdown, Anna trembled with shock and fear. Finally, she stamped her foot in fury, sobbing as she fled.
William slowly lifted his head, scanning the empty house.
Everywhere he looked, Jessica’s presence lingered.
In the kitchen, the ghost of her preparing his breakfast.
On the balcony, the echo of her tending plants with gentle hands.
In the study, the faint scent of her books still hanging in the air.
He stood, staggering up to the second floor, pushing open their bedroom door.
The bed was neatly made.
In the walk-in closet, her half now held Anna’s clothes.
The vanity stood bare, not even her favorite hand cream remained.
Finally, William found the only thing Jessica hadn’t taken. Tucked in the bottom drawer of the nightstand: her wed- ding ring.
William crumpled to his knees in the closet, pressing his face against the shelf where her clothes once rested. He in- haled desperately, seeking a trace of her scent long gone.
Regret crashed over him like a tidal wave, drowning him completely.
He was wrong. So wrong to accept that absurd wife-swapping arrangement for the sake of a child.
“I was wrong…”
“Please come back?”
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Chapter 9
“I’ll give you anything… just come back…”
He pulled out his phone. Mechanically, for the thousandth time, he dialed the number.
“The number you have dialed is currently unavailable…”
He hurled the phone against the wall.
It shattered into pieces.
He had to make it right with Jessica. Yes. If Jessica forgave him, they could go back.
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Chapter 10
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