Chapter 254
Sharon paused mid-motion, a cockroach tablet still in her hand.
She replied calmly, “You never believed I’d actually go through with the divorce, so I hired a lawyer and filed. I told you last time -after the holiday, you’d be hearing from the court.”
Carter’s voice came through like ice. “I’ve already agreed to the divorce. Now go withdraw the case.”
“No can do,” Sharon replied, calm as ever. “If, after the cooling-off period, you suddenly change your mind, it’ll only delay the process on my end.”
“After all,” she continued, “you’ve given nothing so far. All you’ve done is initiate the cooling-off period. Meanwhile, I’ve already signed a letter of understanding for Nate, and provided the first round of treatment meds for Kelly.”
Carter’s voice was cool and steady. “But you don’t seem the least bit worried I’ll go back on my word.”
Sharon didn’t deny it. “When dealing with someone like you, if I don’t keep a few cards up my sleeve, I wouldn’t even know how
I died.”
He could see now where her confidence came from.
“Even with Xavier helping you,” he said, “you think what happened last time could happen again?”
Last time… that had caught him off guard. He’d never imagined someone as meek as Sharon-like a quiet, docile rabbit-would push things that far, like she had nothing left to lose.
Had she already made up her mind to leave him back then, without a second thought for the consequences?
The thought tightened his breath.
Sharon said, “Don’t worry. I know that kind of trick only works once. I wouldn’t try it a second time.” 1
His voice dropped, a notch colder. “Sharon, are you that intent on burning every bridge?”
At this point, even if Carter tried to make excuses, they’d fall flat.
If she didn’t want a divorce, why hadn’t she come back after all this time? Why hadn’t she admitted fault? She hadn’t even asked
about Theo.
There was no warmth left in her eyes when she looked at him-none of the softness or attachment he used to see. Everything she did was measured, final, with no margin for retreat.
And only now did a strange, surreal feeling begin to dawn on him.
Sharon really wanted a divorce.
Anger, slow and irrational, began to rise inside him.
She actually dared to divorce him?
Hadn’t he treated her well enough? 1
Her voice came through the phone again, cool and detached.
“I’m the one being ruthless? You’re the one who doesn’t understand plain language. I’ve said what I needed to about the
divorce. I won’t keep repeating myself. We had an agreement. If you hold up your end, I’ll hold up mine.
“As for the case… once we get the divorce certificate a month from now, I’ll withdraw it.”
With that, she hung up.
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Carter stared at his phone, disbelieving. His chest felt tight, the kind of pressure that wouldn’t ease no matter how deep he
breathed.
For a moment, the air in the private room seemed to solidify.
Nate, knowing Carter valued peace and quiet, hadn’t invited his usual rowdy crowd tonight. After everything Carter had done — for him and Kelly, and the 100 million he’d put up-Nate had felt more than a little guilty.
So it was just Julliard, the childhood friend they both trusted.
Because there were so few people, the room had fallen into a heavy silence.
Every word from the phone call had been clear to both Nate and Julliard.
Nate, who until just now still didn’t believe they’d actually get divorced, fell quiet. He turned slowly to Julliard, the disbelief plain on his face.
“Julliard… Sharon isn’t really going to divorce Carter, is she?”
He’d always said he wanted them to split. But now that it was actually happening, all he felt was a strange and bitter unease.
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