Broken Vows and Buried Twins novel Chapter 26

As the chaotic noise faded away, the painful ringing in Hester's ears slowly began to subside. The violent tremors that had seized her body also gradually dialed down into stillness.

It took roughly ten full minutes before Hester finally regained her composure. The moment she lifted her head, she collided with a pair of deep, obsidian eyes. It was like waking up from a trance. The raw vulnerability in her gaze was instantly replaced with absolute revulsion.

"I'm fine now. Let go of me."

Julian didn't budge. His massive hand remained firmly clamped around her waist.

He was entirely accustomed to dealing with the somatic symptoms of Hester's panic attacks by now. But seeing the sheer disgust aimed at him in this moment made him let out a soft sigh. He raised a hand and gently smoothed out the hair Livia had yanked out of place.

Repulsed by his touch, Hester swatted his hand away and scrambled out of his embrace. Julian didn't try to force her back.

Hester reached for the door handle, but it wouldn't budge. The doors were locked!

Hester frowned, ordering coldly, "Let me out."

Julian furrowed his brow. "Are you absolutely certain you're in any condition to walk away alone right now?"

"Why bother with the fake concern?" Hester mocked bitterly. "Haven't you had enough of my emotional baggage over the past five years? I finally got the message and learned to stop relying on you. You should be thrilled."

Julian choked on her biting words, the crease between his brows deepening into a furious valley.

Hester absolutely couldn't endure sharing this suffocating space with him for another second. Too much had happened today, and she was thoroughly exhausted. All she wanted was to go home and sleep.

"Julian, I am dead serious about this divorce. If you still honestly believe I'm just throwing a tantrum, then that just proves you've never bothered to truly understand me. In fact, it means you never truly loved me at all."

Julian scowled, staring intently at her. The way Hester was looking at him right now was eerily calm. There was no burning hatred, no lingering emotional attachment. It was as flat and lifeless as a stagnant pool of water. Under the weight of that utterly dead gaze, an inexplicable wave of panic washed over him.

Knowing there was no getting through to him, Hester pulled out her phone and dialed Neil's number.

Standing outside the car, Neil checked the caller ID and answered the phone, thoroughly confused. "Mrs. Weston?"

"Neil, unlock the doors. If you don't, I cannot guarantee what I'll do once you start driving."

Julian stared at Hester's terrifyingly resolute demeanor, his face turning incredibly dark. "Are you threatening me with your own life now?"

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