Broken Vows and Buried Twins novel Chapter 230

Julian swallowed hard, his throat tight and agonizingly dry. He stared at her, an ocean of regret and desperation swirling in his dark eyes.

“I know she dragged you into this, and I know it isn't fair.”

His voice was heavy, strained. “But she only spiraled because Adrian died. She spent years completely alone in a foreign country without Caden. Just surviving took everything she had—”

“Her tragedy is not my responsibility!”

Hester’s voice cut through his like a whip. “If she was wronged, she was wronged by your family. If you want to dedicate your life to paying off your dead brother’s debt, be my guest. I told you, I don't care. Hell, you could finalize our divorce today and marry her tomorrow, and I wouldn't bat an eye.”

Julian flinched. “Hester, she was my brother's wife. I am simply fulfilling my duty to look after his family. How many times do I have to explain this to you?”

“I don't need your explanations, because your relationship with her means absolutely nothing to me.”

Hester’s tone was glacial. “But let me make one thing crystal clear. I don’t owe that woman a damn thing. If she had stayed out of my way, we wouldn't have a problem. But she came for me. And how this ends? That is entirely up to me.”

Without another glance, Hester turned and walked through the front door, leaving him standing in the courtyard.

Julian watched her go, his jaw clenched so tightly it ached, his eyes dark and haunted.

...

Inside the dining room, Jasper and Ms. Crane were the only ones left at the table.

The staff had finished eating and started their shifts. Caden and Gigi had quickly inhaled their breakfast and were currently being supervised by Jett in the backyard.

When Hester walked in, both Jasper and Ms. Crane looked up.

“Hester, come eat! Jasper kept your plate warm for you,” Ms. Crane called out, waving her over.

“Thank you.” Hester offered a soft smile and walked toward them.

Jasper pulled a chair out for her. “Have a seat. The light soup is still hot—I’ll go grab it from the kitchen.”

She looked up at him, her smile warming. “Thank you.”

Glancing around to make sure they were still alone, Ms. Crane whispered, “So, what’s your game plan?”

Hester paused, a hard-boiled egg halfway peeled in her hands.

She slowly raised her eyes, a chilling, predatory smirk touching her lips. “I’m in no rush. He deleted the posts, which means she failed. A woman like her won’t be able to stand that. She’ll inevitably make another move.”

Ms. Crane studied Hester’s face, searching for any trace of fury or heartbreak.

There was none. Hester was terrifyingly serene.

She went back to peeling her egg, taking a bite and chewing it slowly, elegantly.

It was as if the massive scandal and her husband’s sudden appearance were nothing more than a mild inconvenience.

A reaction like that only meant one of two things: either she had never loved him to begin with, or he had broken her so profoundly that the love had violently burned out, leaving nothing but cold, dead ash that could never be reignited.

Looking at Hester’s chilling calmness, Ms. Crane knew exactly which one it was.