Broken Vows and Buried Twins novel Chapter 75

"Oh, so now you care about gossip?" Hester let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "You didn't seem to give a damn about people talking when you were parading Melody and Caden all over town."

Hester was giving him exactly zero grace.

Normally, Julian would have darkened with anger and walked away. But tonight, he seemed entirely committed to playing the role of the perfect husband. Despite her biting sarcasm, his expression didn't change. He simply replied with frustrating calm, "The banquet has started. We should go downstairs."

His impenetrable composure made Hester feel like she was punching a brick wall. Her irritation spiked.

"I didn't come here to celebrate my dad's birthday," she said, her voice dropping to a harsh whisper. "I came back to announce to everyone that we are getting a divorce!"

Julian's lips curved into a faint, knowing smirk. "Do you really think they'll let that happen?"

"Don't flatter yourself. If you think siccing my family on me is going to make me cave, you're delusional." Hester's gaze turned fierce. "Thanks to you, that slap my mother gave me last time finally woke me up for good."

She slammed the door in his face and locked it with a sharp click.

Out in the hallway, Julian stared at the heavy wooden door, his eyes turning turbulent and dark.

After a long moment, he raised a hand, pinched the bridge of his nose, and walked downstairs.

...

Inside the room, Hester curled up on the window seat, staring blankly out at the grounds.

The beautifully manicured gardens below were swarming with elite guests. The clinking glasses and raucous laughter felt lightyears away.

A crushing wave of fatigue washed over her. She pulled her knees to her chest, burying her face in her arms. She didn't know how much time had passed. She was hovering on the edge of sleep when another knock echoed through the room.

Hester lifted her head, staring at the door. "Who is it?"

"It's me."

A young woman's voice filtered through the wood.

Hester blinked.

"I'm alone," the voice added.

Hesitating for a moment, Hester slid off the window seat and opened the door.

Chiara was breathtakingly beautiful, having inherited her looks from her mother.

Hester had never met Chiara's mother, but family lore said she was an A-list movie star who gave up her career to marry Charles. Tragically, she passed away from an illness when Chiara was only a year old.

Seeing Hester still hesitating, Chiara smirked. "You really do think it's poisoned."

Hester finally cracked a smile. "Stop making fun of me."

She closed the door and walked over, sitting beside Chiara.

She hadn't been hungry a second ago, but seeing the spread suddenly made her mouth water.

Pregnancy cravings were just that temperamental.

Thinking of the baby, Hester abandoned her reservations and picked up a fork.

But after only two bites, her stomach violently rebelled. She gagged, slapping a hand over her mouth, and bolted for the bathroom.