Broken Vows and Buried Twins novel Chapter 38

It was his private line.

Hester glanced at his pocket and let out a cold, mocking laugh. "Aren't you going to answer that, Mr. Weston? It might be your precious Melody calling."

Julian shot her a dark warning look, released her chin, and pulled out his phone.

It was the landline from Silverstream Villa. He answered it. "What's wrong?"

"Mr. Weston, it's an emergency! The young master slipped and cut his hand badly. There's so much blood..."

Julian's face drained of color. Without another word, he spun around and sprinted out of the office.

Because they had been standing so close, Hester heard every panicked word the nanny had said.

She didn't know how to feel.

Even if Caden was actually Julian's nephew, it didn't erase the fact that Julian and Melody had been living together behind her back. She would never forgive him.

As for Caden...

Hester subconsciously rested a hand on her own stomach.

Caden was already infinitely luckier than her unborn child. At least in his world, he had a "mother" and "father" who adored him. He was growing up in a home filled with love and two present parents. Her child would only ever have her.

Hester wondered if her baby would grow up to resent her for it. But she couldn't forgive Julian's lies and betrayal. Even for the sake of her baby, she refused to stay trapped in a marriage where she had to swallow her pride and endure his infidelity.

Hester walked out of the office, took the elevator down, and left the building.

She called Neil from her car. "Tell Julian that once he signs the papers, his lawyers can deal directly with mine."

She hung up before Neil could even respond.

Inside the black Maybach, Neil gripped the steering wheel with one hand and held his phone with the other. He had it on speaker. He cautiously peeked at the rearview mirror. In the backseat, Julian's face was terrifyingly dark.

There was no need for Neil to pass along the message. In the confined space of the vehicle, Hester's cold ultimatum had rung out loud and clear.

Neil didn't dare breathe a word. He lowered his phone and focused entirely on the road.

He buried his face in Julian's shoulder, his little voice completely hoarse from screaming.

Caden was usually an incredibly well-behaved and quiet boy. For him to scream until he lost his voice meant he was in agonizing pain.

Julian's chest tightened. He gently stroked the back of the boy's head. "I know, buddy. Just close your eyes and go to sleep. When you wake up, the pain will be gone."

Caden nodded, sniffing loudly. He went limp against Julian's shoulder, his tiny body still trembling with occasional hiccups.

Exhausted from the trauma and the crying, it wasn't long before Caden drifted into a restless sleep in Julian's arms.

Melody looked up at Julian, her face stained with tears, playing the picture of utter devastation and guilt. "Julian, I'm so sorry. I failed to watch him properly."

Julian looked at her, his expression dead serious. "How exactly did he get hurt?"

Melody lowered her eyes, a flash of panic darting through them before she quickly suppressed it.

She sniffled, keeping her voice soft and fragile. "He... he grabbed a paring knife to play with while I wasn't looking. He slipped and cut himself..."