Drowning Him In Regret novel Chapter 37

Chapter 37

Jude’s gaze flickered with something between disbelief and fury.

But it was Vivian who reacted first–swift and deliberate–snatching the divorce agreement right out of my hand.

“Get out!” Jude exploded, shredding the papers like a man unraveling, eyes bloodshot as he glared at me. “You’ve really outdone yourself, Ada!”

I just smiled. I had expected this reaction.

Without missing a beat, I reached into my bag and pulled out another copy. “No problem. I printed extras. You can tear up as many as you like–just let me know when you’re done.”

I was about to hand it over when I caught the cleaning lady staring at me with thinly veiled frustration. Quietly, I tucked the contract back into my bag. No need to make her night worse.

“Ada,” Jude snapped, voice thick with accusation. “So you planned this all along, didn’t you?

“I knew something was off. Dorian just happens to show up now? You two never cut contact, did you?”

He took a step forward, eyes blazing. “He chased after you in school, remember? And now what–he’s still pining after you? That’s why you’re doing this? You’re divorcing me for him?”

His words sliced through the air like knives, wild and erratic, like he couldn’t decide whether to scream or sob.

He stared at me stubbornly. His eyes were vicious, as if he wished he could come up and tear me to pieces.

Dorian didn’t hesitate–he stepped between us, calm but sharp. “You’re being ridiculous. Don’t project your own mess onto Ada. You think everyone cheats, just because you did?”

He shot Jude a cold glare. “If you had any decency at all, you’d stop dragging her through this and take some responsibility. Be a man, Jude–for once.”

I couldn’t remember ever seeing Dorian this angry. It caught me off guard.

But when he turned to me and smiled, his expression softened. “Don’t worry. I’ve got this.”

I nodded instinctively.

“Ada!” Jude barked, pointing at me as though he had any control left. “Get over here!”

When he tried to grab my arm, Dorian caught his wrist midair.

That’s when the officer walked over, clearly fed up. “What’s this now? Trying to hit your wife? Again?”

Vivian rushed in to clutch at Jude’s arm, her voice panicked but still performative. “Jude, don’t… Just let it go.”

Her eyes darted to me. “Ada, can’t you say something on your husband’s behalf? Whose wife are you, anyway?

“Are you just going to stand by?”

She looked genuinely hurt–like I was the one tearing this family apart.

It was almost impressive, the level of delusion./

I tilted my head, voice laced with mock curiosity. “Vivian, whose wife are you, exactly? Why are you even here?”

It was meant to shut her up–but it only lit a fire.

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Chapter 37

“You seriously don’t know?” she snapped, tone rising with hysteria. “You clung to Jude like your life depended on it, forced that marriage, and now you’re the one running off, waving divorce papers just to get his attention?

“You two don’t even love each other anymore–so let him go, Ada! Just let him go!”

I shoved the contract into her hands. “If you’re so eager, why don’t you sign it?”

Turning back to the officer, I exhaled sharply. “I don’t see much left to negotiate. Go ahead and press charges.”

Dorian nodded in agreement beside me. “He clearly isn’t interested in apologizing.”

“Apologize? In your dreams!” Jude lunged forward again, restrained only by Vivian’s desperate grip and the officer stepping in.

“Really, Jude?” I narrowed my eyes. “You sure you wanna be locked up over this?”

Jude froze. For a moment, he just stared at me, jaw tight, fists trembling.

I met his stare and sighed. “You’ve got two options. Compensation–or custody.”

He clenched his teeth. Then, finally, he spat out, “Fine. Compensation.”

He ended up paying three thousand dollars.

Not much, but enough to bruise his pride.

Of course, an actual apology was out of the question. Vivian ended up offering it for him.

Dorian, always the gentleman, offered her nothing more than a cool glance. “Miss, you don’t get to speak for him. And frankly, I don’t care.

“He’s not worth the time. But you should know–cheating in a marriage? That’ll cost him everything. Tell him to prepare for that.”

Vivian flushed crimson but didn’t say another word.

I didn’t spare them a glance. My attention was already on Dorian. “Come on, I’ll drive you home.”

He smiled and nodded, falling in step behind me.