April Fools “Surprise” Husband Divorcing Me For His “Pure” Girl novel Chapter 18

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Those three words cracked the certainty on Holden’s face.

His outstretched hand froze mid-air.

The laughter and whispers at the door-dead silent.

I slowly lifted my eyes.

Met his gaze as his “of course she’s mine” started crumbling.

“Mr. Harrington,” I used a title I’d never called him before. Voice flat. “I think you’re confused.”

“Today is my wedding.”

“But you’re not the groom.”

“Emma, stop-” His head was buzzing, refusing to process the pieces snapping together. York wedding. Bride named Caldwell. Had to be a mistake. A stunt. Her throwing a fit to get his attention.

He clung to one belief: Emma was his.

Always had been. Always would be. And in a few minutes, she’d be walking down his aisle.

His fingers nearly brushed my wrist.

“Mr. Harrington.”

A calm voice cut him off.

Ashton York stepped in front of me.

“Back off.”

Those two words stopped Holden cold.

He looked up sharply. Locked eyes with Ashton.

This was the first time he’d really seen the man who’d taken his place.

Not the low-key York heir he vaguely remembered.

But someone who commanded the room without trying.

“Emma and I are getting married. Right now.” Ashton’s voice didn’t waver. “If you’re here as a guest, you’re welcome,”

“If you’re here to congratulate us-ceremony’s not over. Feel free to stay.”

He paused, Glanced at the groomsmen shifting awkwardly behind Holden.

“You too.”

Then his gaze returned to Holden’s bloodless face.

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April Fools’ “Surprico”. My llocband’s Divorcing Mo for We “Duro” Girl

Chapter 9

“Anything else? Not the time.”

Not the time.

One sentence. And just like that, Holden was demoted to intruder. Nobody.

Holden’s breathing turned ragged.

That rage he’d been shoving down? Exploded.

He glared at Ashton. “Emma is my wife!”

“Emma-tell him! Tell him whose bride you are!”

His eyes drilled into me.

Betting on me breaking. Betting six years meant more than this insanity.

The music had stopped.

Every eye in the room was on me.

I lifted my gaze slowly.

Through the veil, I looked at the man I’d loved for six years. Waited for. Who now looked pathetic.

I didn’t look at Holden. Just spoke clearly.

“Holden. Look closely.”

I turned slightly. “This dress? You didn’t pick it.”

I raised my left hand. The diamond ring Ashton had just slipped on gleamed under the lights.

“This ring? You didn’t give it.”

My eyes swept past his ashen face. “The woman marrying Ashton York today? That’s me. Emma Caldwell.”

I paused. Took a breath. And delivered the final blow.

“Your wedding. Your bride. None of it has anything to do with me.”

I didn’t wait to see his face collapse.

I placed my hand in Ashton’s waiting arm.

“Let’s continue, Mr. York.”

Ashton looked at me for a long moment.

Then nodded toward the officiant.

The wedding march swelled again-louder, grander than before. Drowning out everything else.

Ashton walked me down the aisle. Steady. Confident.

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April Fools’ “Surprise”-My Husband’s Divorcing Me for His “Pure” Girl

14.8%

Chapter 9

Guests on both sides applauded.

My family’s polite smiles? Gone.

Mom Dad. Jason Jennifer.

They hadn’t expected this.

I wasn’t marrying the Harringtons they’d been clinging to.

I was marrying into the Yorks-a family so far above them, they didn’t even register.

As for how I got Ashton to agree to a $300 million bride price?

I had my own leverage.

Nothing to do with their schemes.

Nothing to do with the Caldwell family’s crumbling empire.

The relatives and friends who were supposed to be at Holden’s wedding?

They’d all migrated here.

Not out of loyalty to my family.

But because they smelled power.

Their applause filled the hall.

Behind me? Dead silence.

I didn’t need to turn around to picture Holden’s face.

But it didn’t matter anymore.

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11:49

April Fools’ “Surprise”-My Husband’s Divorcing Me for His “Pure” Girl

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