Chapter 10
Julia frowned. On the other end of the line, Haley had probably heard Sebastian yelling
Instinctively, Julia hung up.
Seeing her end the call only made Sebastian angrier. Who had she been talking to?
Julia glanced down at the divorce papers he’d thrown in front of her, but strangely, she felt calm
“Did you sign it?” she asked.
Her tone was even and her expression composed, as though she asked if he’d eaten.
Sebastian’s brow twitched. He couldn’t tell if he was laughing out of anger or if he just thought Julia was throwing a tantrum,
He repeated. “You’re giving up on Xavier? The son you carried for ten months?“!
“Yes.” Julia looked up at him
Her eyes had always been clear and bright, like a deep spring, pure and open.
But now, when he looked into them, the affection that used to live there was gone.
She said quietly, “I don’t want him anymore. Xavier doesn’t like me as his mom anyway.”
But as she spoke the last part, the pain in her heart broke through her calm.
Sebastian felt a tight, heavy ache in his chest. He frowned. “Xav is still young. He doesn’t understand how hurtful his words can be. No matter what, you’re still his mother.”
He didn’t understand–Julia used to treat Xavier like her whole world. How could she just let him go?
“There’s no lasting grudge between a mother and her child. You don’t need to take a six–year–old’s words so seriously,” he continued.
Sebastian always had that naturally distant, noble air. The taint crease between his brows only made him seem colder.
Right now, he looked like he’d run out of patience with her entirely. He was blaming her for being too petty to forgive a child.
Julia pressed her lips together, her face paling
“Enough I don’t want to hear another word about the divorce,” Sebastian said, turning to leave.
But Julia stepped in front of him. “I’m serious about this divorce.”
She held out the papers. “Sign it. I want this marriage over with as soon as possible.”
The veins on Sebastian’s forehead popped. “Julia, what the hell do you want? Haven’t you had enough?
Furious, he snatched the divorce papers from her hands and tore them to shreds right in front of her.
“I said I’m not getting a divorce! Don’t ever bring it up again!”
Shredded paper fluttered to the Blour as his rage boiled over.
Julia stood firm, unmoved. Her voice was steady and cold as she stared at Sebastian’s furious face. “You won’t sign? Ther’I’ll see you in court. I don’t mind turning this into a public mess.”
“Do you even hear yourself?” Sebastian’s gaze darkened.
He grabbed her wrist, voice low and threatening. “Is that what this is really about? There’s someone else, isn’t there? That lawyer, he’s the reason.”
Jalia looked at him. like he’d lost his mind and tried to pull her hand away.
But the more she struggled, the tighter he held on
She yanked harder, her face paling, and let out a small cry of pain. Only then did Sebastian spen to snap out of it and release his grip.
A deep red mark was already blooming on her fair wrist, harsh and undeniable.
Π
“I..” Sebastian’s eyes dimmed. He reached out, but Julia flinched back
She turned her face away, cold and distant. “Get our,”
U
“det out!” Julia turned her back on him, stubborn and rigid.
Just before he left, Sebastian caught a glimpse of a single tear sliding quickly down her cheek
His hand, still half–extended, clenched into a fist. He loosened it, then tightened it again. Finally, with a grim expression, he turned and walked out.
As soon as the door shut, Julia wiped her tears away roughly, furious at herself for crying in front of him again.
It took her a moment to regain her composure. That was when she noticed Haley had called more than a dozen times during the argument.
Haley must have heard what Sebastian said.
Julia took a bread and chalet her back
“Laal Me you okak / That bastant Sebastian didn’t buurt voni, did
As seen as the call connected, hilia could practically picture the worried look on Laley’s tact
“Tautina. He prost
“Where are you? Tu coming to get you right now?” Haley cut her off, too panicked to let her finishi
She’d beand Sebastian’s threatening to over the phone and was terrified that Julia was being alused.
“You really don’t have to, Haley. I’m fine. Once the divorce is settled, I’ll come back!
“No way! I’m not okay with that. What if that scumbag Sebastian lays a hand on you again? How could I help you then? Send me your location now. I’m
“Julia, I mean it. Don’t argue. Text me the address, I’m coming to get you.”
Julia knew Haley’s stubborn strook too well. Once she made up her mind, there was no tallding her out of it.
“Alright. Just be careful on the way,” Julia sighed.
The Barlow family had businesses all over the country, and as luck would have it, Haley was currently in a neighboring city. She told Julia to wait an hour, and she’d be there soon
About, an hour later, Julia’s phone rang, Haley was waiting just outside the gated community.
Julia had changed her clothes and was ready to leave, However, she hadn’t expected to run into Sebastian on her way downstairs
He was sing rigidly on the living room couch. When he saw her coming down, he hesitated for a moment, assuming she’d come to make peace
His returned cold, and he looked away.
Ju paused brietly, then continued walking toward the front door.
“It’s late. Where are you going?” Sebastian asked.
It wasn’t until she reached the door that he realized she wasn’t here to talk. She was leaving?
Julia’s steps altered for just a second, but she said nothing and kept going.
Something crashed behind her with a loud bang
Sebastian had thrown something, and his voice rang out, sharp and sarcastle. “Out this late, what is it? Off to see that shady little lover of yours?
“He’s shady, alright.”
Julia let out a short laugh and turned to face him, her gaze cold. “But nothing compared to you, Mr. Holt. Bringing your mistress into our home like it’s no big deal Zero shame, all swagger.”
She didn’t wait for his reaction. She turned and walled out of the house
He cheated, and now he just assumed everyone else did too?
Just as Julia stepped outside, Haley’s car pulled up. “Lia! Get in.”
Julia slid into the passenger seat. The two hadn’t seen each other in years, and the moment she sat down, Haley unbuckled her seatbelt, pulled her into a tight hug, and burst into tears.
“I’m okay, really,” Julia said, her eyes red–rimmed as she held back tears. If she cried now, Haley would only cry harder.
After a while, Haley finally wiped her face.
“Alright. Night’s still young. Come on, Lia, I’m taking you out for drinks. Cry, scream, do whatever you want tonight. By tomorrow, that asshole won’t even be worthy of a second thought.”
With that, she hit the clutch, turned the wheel, and sped out of the neighborhood.
No drinks for me,” Julia said quietly.
“Don’t worry, Drink all you want, I’ve got you-”
“I’m pregnant. I can’t drink
“What?”
The tires shrieked as Haley slammed the brakes,
She turned to stare at Julia like she’d just said aliens had landed. Pregnant? With her ex’s child? And they were already getting divorced?
“Does that bastard Holt even know about the baby?”
Julia couldn’t help but laugh at how naturally Haley called Sebastian a bastard. She shook her head.
She was just about to say more when a car behind them laid on the horn. “Hey! Are you driving or parking? Just ‘cause it’s a luxury car, it doesn’t mean you can block the road!”
Haley checked the rearview mirror. “Alright. I’ll take you back to my place first.”
They made it to the hotel late that night. Julia and Haley stayed up for hours talking, finally falling into a deep sleep just before dawn.
The next morning, Julia was jolted awake by her phone ringing
Still half–asleep, she answered. The sky outside was already light.
Sebastian’s voice came through the line. “Julia, Xav says he wants your soup,”
Julia blinked the sleep from her eyes, her voice flat. “So what?”
