He Never Loved Me Until the Day I Finally Left Him novel Chapter 656

"Lena, you know exactly what you're doing, don't you?" Julian finally asked after a long pause.

"I do," she murmured.

He fell silent again.

Eventually, he spoke with absolute finality. "The Campbell family will handle Skye's situation."

"Alright," she agreed.

Julian didn't elaborate further. He simply hung up.

She could feel the raw frustration radiating from him even through the phone.

Ever since Sebastian reappeared in her life, Julian had been operating under immense strain.

She didn't know how much longer he could keep it bottled up before he finally snapped.

Suppressing a heavy sigh, she slid her phone back into her purse.

"Julian?" Sebastian asked, though it sounded more like a statement.

She offered a tight smile. "His daughter was hurt. Of course he'd call."

He stared at her intently. "Her actual parents don't seem nearly as invested as you and Julian are."

"I'm not about to hand over my family's private call logs to prove anything to you," she shot back smoothly. "Besides, I don't owe you any explanations."

He hummed noncommittally but didn't push the issue.

She turned her full attention back to him. "If she apologizes publicly, I'll drop the suit. Consider it a concession because Skye didn't sustain any major injuries."

It sounded like a gracious compromise on her part.

But internally, she knew she had no other viable option.

Backing a man like him into a corner would only guarantee her own destruction.

Just as he'd reminded her, this was Riverton, not Coralia.

He was the one calling the shots here.

Refusing to give him another opening, she gave a stiff nod and walked past him toward the ward.

Suddenly, his fingers clamped around her wrist.

She glanced down at his grip, then silently and firmly wrenched her arm free.

It was a strategic move to publicly sever any fabricated ties between her and Sebastian, preventing further suspicion or complications.

She locked her phone, keeping her thoughts to herself.

"I'm ready!" Skye announced, walking out in her jacket and grabbing Helena's hand.

She looked down at her warmly. "Let's go."

The little girl paused thoughtfully before asking, "Are we going back to his house? All my toys are still there."

Kids were simple; she was just fixated on her playthings.

Helena knelt down slightly. "We're going back to the hotel for now. We'll figure out the toys later, alright?"

"Okay," she chirped, completely unbothered.

They quickly made their way toward the exit.

But before they even reached the lobby doors, Cheryl Mason rushed over, looking panicked. "Ms. Wallace, the paparazzi are swarming the entrance."

Helena's brow furrowed, but her mind worked fast. "Take her through the back to the car. I'll handle them."