After All the Hurt, She Chose Herself novel Chapter 268

Gideon felt like his skull was splitting open. First Charles, and now Raphael. Both of them were practically salivating, waiting for him to divorce Aria so they could chase after her, right?

Too bad. He would never give them the satisfaction.

"I am not divorcing Aria," Gideon declared stubbornly. "The only way this marriage ends is if one of us is dead."

Aria sucked in a sharp breath and whirled toward the nearest officer. "Officer! Did you hear that?! He's openly threatening to kill me again!"

Gideon: "?"

Recalling how he had randomly woken up in a police cell, Gideon quickly pieced it together. Aria had actually pressed charges. But he hadn't genuinely wanted to hurt her; he had just lost his mind with rage because she insulted his stamina in bed...

"Aria, that's not what I meant. I meant I love you. Unless I die, I will never let you go."

Aria completely ignored him, turning back to the officer. "Officer, I'm telling you, the man is a total psycho!"

Gideon: "..."

Raphael couldn't help himself; a low, rich chuckle escaped his lips. He found Aria incredibly endearing in that moment. The way she aggressively filed complaints with the cops felt almost like a little girl throwing a tantrum. It was a charming, lively side of her. If she wasn't constantly drowning in all this traumatic drama, she could live a brilliant, carefree life. She had spent her entire childhood trapped in the shadows; seeing her fight back with such vibrant energy was a relief.

Gideon felt a surge of profound injustice. He reached out, desperately trying to grab Aria's hand, but the officer firmly shoved him back. Now he felt even more wronged.

"Aria, whether you believe it or not, I actually fell in love with you three years ago. But because of what happened that night, I was completely blinded by my own resentment, and I treated you terribly..."

"Gideon, you are going to City Hall and ending this right now," Aldous commanded, leaving absolutely no room for negotiation. "Do not make me clean up another one of your messes! I've already had the clerks brought here to process the paperwork."

Gideon's hands balled into tight fists. The Evernight family was practically royalty in this city; Aldous could easily snap his fingers and have government officials cater to his every whim.

"Son, just sign it," Eveline pleaded quietly. "She's a vicious woman, completely unworthy of being your wife. Once the ink is dry, I'll find someone so much better for you. I heard the Wynn family's daughter just moved back. You two used to be so close, right? I heard she's single..."

"Mom, I don't want anyone else. I only want Aria!"

Gideon shot a desperate look at Aria, who was practically glowing with relief at the prospect of freedom. Grinding his teeth, he swallowed every ounce of his pride, stepped forward, and sank heavily to his knees right in front of Aldous.

"Grandpa, I am begging you. I truly love Aria. Please, do not force me to divorce her."