From “Clingy” to Gone My Independence Was His Biggest Regret novel Chapter 34

Chapter 9

A few days later, mysterious packages started showing up at my office.

When I opened them, everything inside was ridiculously expensive.

Harry Winston diamond necklaces, Hermès crocodile leather bags, and tons of designer jewelry.

I’d seen this kind of apology routine plenty of times before.

Back then, he’d send something romantic and I’d give him an out, and we’d both be happy.

Now it just felt pathetic.

I looked at the company books, then turned around and sold all that stuff for operating capital.

This went on for about two weeks before Luke showed up himself.

At an investor dinner, he crashed the party uninvited, standing there like a bouncer while everyone scrambled to their feet to greet him.

Eyes kept darting between Luke and me, but nobody dared bring up the divorce.

Harper Industries had announced the divorce publicly, and the news had covered it multiple times.

A few days ago, I’d heard Mrs. White gossiping about all the drama.

Nobody expected the Harper family’s plans for a quiet divorce to get derailed by some little troublemaker.

Turns out Ruby had heard about the divorce and immediately started posting photos with Luke online.

Even though Luke was only half–visible from behind with his face blurred out, sharp–eyed internet users figured it out anyway.

Energized netizens divided up the work, analyzing Ruby’s thousand–plus posts, with detailed timelines spreading all over social media.

She created burner accounts to fight back, but people just dug up more dirt on her.

So she posted, “He doesn’t love his wife anyway. If you can’t keep your man, whose fault is that?”

Someone replied, “LOL. He doesn’t love his wife but he loves you? That necklace you posted in March? It’s literally made from scraps left over from the one his wife wore to last year’s gala. Such devoted love, right?”

“Money talks, I guess. But last year Luke donated three million to the cathedral in his wife’s name.”

The fighting went on and on until I got tired of listening.

Looking at Luke now, the divorce and cheating seemed to have zero effect on him.

If anything, because of the online battle between netizens and Ruby, his cheating had somehow become this romantic tale that proved his charm.

Meanwhile Ruby, equally guilty, had been torn apart by the attacks.

Just like now–he was smiling like nothing had happened.

Footsteps followed steadily behind me. I stopped.

“Just say what you want. I don’t have time for games.”

He aet down his wine glass and said casually, “You should see how the media’s praising you, calling you so strong and principled. Everyone knows the Harper family produced this unbreakable woman. They praise you while tearing me down to nothing.”

Chapter 9

The day you left, Grace went off on me. Stood on the third floor and screamed at me for half an hour.”

I figured after causing such a scene with the divorce and running away, with so many people sticking up for you, you’d be over it by now.”

So I came to bring you home.”

tearing those words, I realized I was furious, but facing him, my soul felt numb.

d gambled everything on a clean break, but to him it was just a tantrum that would blow over once I cooled down.

or a split second, I suddenly understood everything.

Il these years with Luke, whether it was love or marriage–maybe from start to finish, I was the only one who treated it like a sacred vow, like everything that

Lattered.

> when it all fell apart and crumbled, I was the only one getting destroyed.

uke had made the same vows in front of that priest, but he’d probably never believed that love should be unwavering or marriage should mean absolute yalty.

nce I figured that out, I quickly turned away and wiped the tears I couldn’t hold back.

Divorcing you means Luke Harper and I have nothing to do with each other for the rest of our lives.” I pulled myself together and spoke clearly. “You think ivorce is a game, but I’ve never used marriage as a way to throw tantrums. I’m telling you–I don’t regret it. Not now, not ever. I will never, ever regret it.”

e grabbed my arm, like my anger didn’t faze him at all, and said helplessly, “Fine, I regret it, okay? I spoke too soon. These past two months without you, I’m ot used to it.”

1 had enough. I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face.

he sharp crack echoed through the tree–lined path.

ake’s head snapped to the side, and he touched the spot with his finger. “Is that enough to cool you down? If not, hit me again.”

Once you’re over it, come back to Manhattan with me.”