Broken Vows and Buried Twins novel Chapter 70

Hester wasn't in the mood to play games. She cut straight to the chase.

"Julian, this is my own place that I bought before we got married. It has absolutely nothing to do with you. Celeste only let you in today because she didn't know any better. I expect you to have the decency not to show up uninvited again. Honestly, it's disgusting."

Faced with such blatant, unapologetic disgust, anyone else would have lost their temper, but Julian's expression didn't so much as twitch. He simply stated, "I called you. You didn't answer."

Hester raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I was busy. I must have missed your call."

Julian obviously knew it was a thinly veiled excuse. He didn't bother arguing, but his tone turned sharp. "The company shares have already been transferred to your name. You got what you wanted. You shouldn't be making things so difficult for Melody."

"You're confused, Julian. I only said I wouldn't pursue legal action against her. I never once promised I would just let her off the hook." Hester's voice was pure ice, the mockery in her eyes completely undisguised. "Since Melody decided to bite the hand that fed her, she better be prepared to be stripped of everything she has!"

Julian's face hardened, the temperature in the room plummeting.

"Hester, you know exactly what kind of people her parents are. You're intentionally trying to destroy her. When did you become so vicious?"

"Better vicious than stupid." Hester stood up, glaring right at him. "I was the one who pulled Melody out of that rural town! I paid for her education, I gave her the resources, and I was the one who personally promoted her to VP! And how did she repay me? She waited until I was at my most vulnerable to climb into your bed, and then she tried to steal my company!"

"I've already explained this to you. Things aren't what you think between us. As for the shares, that was entirely my decision so she could manage things better."

"And you think that little excuse means I'm supposed to let her go?" Hester let out a cold laugh. "Julian, I know your heart aches for her, but she owes me. She repaid my kindness with betrayal, so I'm going to take back double everything she stole."

"Hester, it's in the past. Melody has nothing left. You've achieved your goal, so why can't you just let it go?"

"It is *never* in the past." Hester stared him down. "Why do you betrayers always think you get to decide when it's 'in the past'?! I was the one who was hurt and humiliated. I haven't forgiven her, and I never will. I am going to return the miserable life she originally had back to her, piece by piece!"

"If you insist on targeting her like this, don't blame me when I step in to protect her."

"Haven't you protected her enough?" Hester found the whole situation so laughably absurd. She only blamed herself for being blind enough to fall in love with a man like him.

She took a deep breath and pointed straight at the front door. "Get out. Just looking at you makes me sick!"

Julian's eyes bore into hers, unblinking. Hester met his gaze with fierce stubbornness, her pale face taut with exhaustion.

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