April Fools “Surprise” Husband Divorcing Me For His “Pure” Girl novel Chapter 105

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

I walked out of that narrow alley, hands shaking.

Not from fear.

From rage.

Rage I’d been choking down for years. Today, I finally let a little bit of it out.

stood at the edge of the village and lit a cigarette.

My phone buzzed. Claire.

hesitated. Then answered.

Emma, what the hell happened? Jake said you caused a scene in front of everyone.”

I didn’t cause a scene.”

Well, Jake said-”

Claire.” I cut her off. “You believe everything he tells you?”

I’m not-”

Uncle Rob asked me what Dad left me. I told him a photograph. That’s causing a scene?”

ilence on the other end.

Emma, I know you’re upset-”

I am upset.” My voice was flat. “But not at you and Jake. I’m upset at Dad.”

Dad’s gone-”

Yeah. He’s gone.” I took a drag. “And he left behind a will that spelled out exactly how he felt. Claire’s worth $5 million. Jake’s worth $5 million. Emma’s worth a hotograph.”

Emma-”

Claire, do you know when that photo was taken?”

he didn’t answer.

Twenty years ago.” I exhaled smoke into the cold air. “A month before my SATS. That was the only photo Dad ever took of me. And the last time he ever said, You got this, kid.”

For the next twenty years, all he saw was you and Jake.” My throat tightened. “When you moved to Paris, he bragged. When Jake got into grad school, he ragged. And me? I quit my job and took care of him for five years. He left me a photograph.”

‘Emma, Dad didn’t mean it like that-”

Then what did he mean?” My voice cracked, louder now. “Claire, tell me. What the hell did he mean?”

Long silence.

Then: “Emina… what do you want?”

Chapter 9

I took a slow breath.

“I don’t want anything.”

“Then-”

“I just need to tell you something.”

“What?”

“Starting today.” I said, voice steady, “this family’s problems? They’re not mine anymore.”

“Emma!”

“Claire, listen.” I kept my tone calm. “Mom’s care? You and Jake figure it out. Family obligations? You and Jake handle it. Whether you go home for the holidays? You and Jake decide.”

“What are you saying?”

I’m saying I’m done.”

‘Emma, you can’t just-”

I can.” I didn’t waver. “Claire, I’m thirty-seven years old. I gave this family twenty years of my life. That’s enough.”

‘But Mom-”

Mom has you two now.” My voice hardened. “I’ll call her. I’ll send her money. But I’m not going back to take care of her.”

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