Chapter 7
“We didn’t do anything–so why the hell are there photos like that?!” Xavier snapped.
Sophie’s face turned ghost white. She stood up, trembling,
Her eyes darted to Xavier, full of panic. “L… I don’t know. Mr. Ford, you have to believe me–I have no idea how those photos ended up with Ms. Lane.”
Xavier’s eyes darkened. He kicked over his chair in fury and stormed toward her, every step sharp with danger.
“What are you saying?” His voice was low and lethal.
“You’re admitting those photos are real? That all of that actually happened?”
“Why the hell don’t I remember?!”
Sophie staggered back until her shoulders hit the cold wall.
She wrapped her arms tightly around herself, eyes glossy with tears.
“Mr. Ford, please…. don’t be like this. You’re scaring me.”
“I just remember that night… you were drunk. You were standing on the hotel balcony watching the sunset, and then you…”
She glanced at me, then looked down quickly, voice cracking
…you thought I was Ms. Lane. You pulled me into your arms and kept calling her name. I–L..”
Xavier’s face twisted. “Then what? Speak!”
“I tried to push you away, but… you’re stronger than me. I–I couldn’t…”
She shook her head violently, “I didn’t want any of this. I swear I didn’t tell anyone. I meant to take it to the grave.”
For a moment, Xavier’s expression flickered. He let out a bitter laugh and shook his head.
“No. That’s impossible. If something like that happened, I would’ve known, I may have mistaken you for Avery for a second, but I wouldn’t have taken it that far.”
“Because you’re not her. You’ll never be her.”
His words hit Sophie like a slap. Her tears finally fell as she turned and fled from the room, humiliated,
Only then did Xavier slowly look back at me.
I
His voice was almost pleading. “Avery, I swear, I didn’t do anything. You have to believe me.”
I stared back at him, numb. “Whether you did or didn’t… doesn’t matter anymore. We’re getting divorced.”
“No.” He rushed toward me and grabbed my wrist tightly.
“No, Avery. You know how much I love you.”
“The only reason I even gave Sophie a second glance was because she reminded me of you–of who you used to be. That’s it.” “She has your smile, your eyes… but I never touched her. I couldn’t. You have to believe me.”
I pulled my hand away, cutting him off.
“She’s not me, Xavier. Don’t you dare use me as the excuse for your weakness.”
“I’m not denying that you loved me once. Maybe even deeply. But I’m thirty now–not as young or pretty as I used to be. I’m strong. opinionated. Not some soft, adoring thing like her.”
Chapter 7
Ask Al
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“Let’s be honest–you don’t love me the way you used to. You’re just clinging to responsibility and guilt, pretending that’s love.”
“We’re done. Let’s stop hurting each other. Let’s walk away with what dignity we have left.”
Each sentence I said made his face grow darker, colder.
He stared into my eyes, desperate to find a flicker of softness, of hope.
But I gave him nothing.
His grip on my wrist tightened, almost desperate. “Avery, that’s just your interpretation. That’s not how I feel. Please don’t treat divorce like some impulsive decision. Don’t do this to us.”
“I can explain everything.”
“I didn’t even want to bring her on that business trip. She begged me in tears, said she’d be targeted at the office otherwise.
“Those entertainment activities? They were all arranged by the clients–I didn’t take part
“I know I messed up. I admit it. I’m sorry for putting you through this.”
“I just wanted to wake y
would come to this:”
you up. I thought maybe you’d realize that a husband needs a wife who’s softer, more gentle. I didn’t think it
I yanked my red, swollen wrist out of his hand and sneered.
“Then you’ve clearly married the wrong woman.
“I will never be someone who grovels for a man’s affection.”
I pulled out the divorce agreement from my purse.
“I’ve done my best to make the asset division fair and clear. Look it over. If you don’t have any objections, sign it.”
“If you do, I’m still willing to negotiate for your parents‘ sake.”
Xavier stared at me in disbelief. His lips curled into a bitter smile.
“Okay. Be who you need to be. But I’m not signing this.”
“I’ll prove I never touched Sophie.”
”
“Doesn’t matter. I’ll file for divorce myself.” My voice was calm. Final.
His eyes reddened. He looked gutted.
He couldn’t understand it–why I would walk away even after he’d lowered himself to apologize. Why I wouldn’t give him another
chance.
He opened his mouth, but before he could say a word, Mr. Ford slammed his hand on the table and stood.
His gaze was full of disappointment as he glared at Xavier, then stormed back into the study.
Mrs. Ford was already sobbing. She covered her mouth with her hand, but the tears slipped through her fingers anyway.
“Xavier… Avery… how did it come to this…”
In just five years, the grand society wedding, the picture–perfect marriage–had all unraveled.
The trust, the joy, the love… gone.
I stood there, watching the family fall apart.
And in that moment, all I could think about was this–we had planned to have a baby this year.
