I Told You To Run But You Didn't (Georgia) novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Georgia’s POV

67%

Finished

I stared at him, and a laugh bubbled up from my chest a bare, skeptical, bitter sound.

“Wow, Lucas,” I said, shaking my head. “Your wife gets drugged and nearly assaulted by your mother and sister, and the first thing you’re worried about is the man who took me to the hospital. It’s almost touching how much you care.” My voice dripped with sarcasm. “Yes, the divorce is final. I can’t imagine why.”

His face contorted with frustration, ignoring my point entirely. “This is a disaster! Do you know what this will do to our family’s reputation? To the company? After what everyone saw on that broadcast last night…” His panic finally zeroed in on his true fear. “And this divorce settlement… Georgia, the money will ruin us.”

I looked at him then, at his pathetic, self-serving fear, and a profound sense of clarity washed over me. I didn’t want his money. I didn’t want anything from this life. I just wanted out.

“The money?” I asked, my voice suddenly calm and quiet. “Fine. You can keep it.”

He froze, his mouth slightly agape. “What?”

“Keep it all, Lucas,” I said with a shrug, turning to head upstairs to pack my things. “I don’t care about the money anymore. Just sign the papers and give me my freedom.”

A sudden, chilling memory surfaced, and I stopped at the foot of the stairs, a slow, cruel smile spreading across my lips. I turned back to face him, my voice dripping with mock sympathy.

“Actually, Lucas, you don’t even have to worry about the papers,” I said. His confused expression was almost comical. “Don’t you know? Your mother already took care of it for you.”

“What are you talking about?” he stammered.

“She forged your signature on the divorce settlement a month ago,” I explained, enjoying the way the blood drained from his face. “She initiated the thirty-day waiting period herself, so I would disappear quietly. She even offered me a one-million-dollar payout.” I shrugged, turning to head upstairs. “But like I said, I don’t need it anymore. Consider it a gift. It’s all yours.”

I packed with a cool efficiency, ignoring him as he followed me into the bedroom, babbling questions and denials. When I zipped my last bag and walked towards the front door, he finally blocked my path, his face a mask of desperation.

“I don’t want to divorce you, Gia,” he pleaded, his voice racking. “I don’t want this. We can fix it. There’s just… one thing. My mom and my sister… you have to withdraw the complaint. Please. Think about it, my mom is too old for prison, and Jasmine… she’s still so young.”

I looked at him, truly looked at him, and felt nothing but contempt. “Young?” I asked, my voice dangerously soft. “But old enough to orchestrate an assault? That’s impressive.”

I stepped around him, my hand on the doorknob. His hand shot out, grabbing my arm. “Gia, please…

I didn’t even look at him. I just stared at his hand on my arm until he let it fall away, defeated.

“As for your request,” I said, opening the door without a backward glance. “I’ll think about it.”

I walked out into the sunlight, leaving him standing alone in the doorway, paralyzed by the impossible choice: lose his wife for good, or lose his family to a prison cell.

Thu,

Chapter 25

ས3 67%=

Finished

Patricia saw me coming and hopped out to help me with my bags. As soon as the trunk was closed and we were both in the car, she put it in drive and looked at me.

“Right. I have a condo in the city I never use. It’s yours for as long as you need it.”

I shook my head, already feeling like a charity case. “Tricia, I can’t. I don’t have any income yet-”

“False,” she said, not missing a beat. “I hired you yesterday. You’re on the payroll as of this morning. Next problem?”

I couldn’t help but smile, even though I felt awkward. “It’s taking advantage of you.” I looked at her, my expression pleading. “Let me pay rent. Properly. Take it out of my salary.”

Patricia sighed, drumming her fingers on the steering wheel. “Fine. If you insist on being difficult and honorable, I’ll draw up a lease.” She glanced over, her teasing expression softening. “But for the record, Gia, I’d give it to you for free in a heartbeat. That’s what family does.”

“I know,” I said, my voice full of gratitude. “Thank you, Tricia.”

***

Two days. It had taken two agonizing days to sever the final ties. I stared at the divorce decree in my hand, the paper a flimsy symbol of my freedom. Lucas had only agreed to sign after I’d made the deal: I withdrew the charges against his mother and sister, and he gave me a clean, uncontested break.

It was a bitter pill to swallow, but freedom was worth the price.

Now, there was one last debt to settle.

I arrived at his office building, the rare book in my bag feeling heavier with every step. When I was shown in, he was exactly as I’d imagined: sitting behind a vast mahogany desk, the city sprawling out behind him like a conquered kingdom. He finished signing a document before he looked up, and a slow, knowing smile touched his lips.

“Georgia,” he said, his voice a low purr of satisfaction. “I was wondering when you’d come.”

My carefully rehearsed speech died in my throat. I walked towards his desk on unsteady legs and placed the book on the polished surface. “I came to return this. I finished it. It was… brilliant.”

He leaned back in his swivel chair, steepling his fingers. His eyes, dark and piercing, challenged me. “Are you sure you understood it all? The true nature of conflict?”

I met his gaze. “The aggressor is always a lover of peace.” I quoted softly. “He would like to make his entry into our state unopposed.””

A hint of genuine approval crossed his face. I pressed my advantage, pulling the envelope of cash from my purse. “And this is for the hospital bill. Thank you, again for everything-”

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