No Divorce? The Billionaire's Love Chase! novel Chapter 80

"Claudia."

York stopped, seeing a tear roll down her cheek. He reached out to wipe it away.

She turned her head, avoiding his touch, only then realizing she had been weak enough to cry again.

York gripped her shoulders, his gaze locked on her face. "Let's find somewhere to sit and talk this through."

"I'm fine," she said, pulling away from him with a bitter smile. "I was just thinking about when I was a kid."

She did need to talk to him. She needed to make him sign the divorce papers as soon as possible.

They stood side by side at the river's edge. Claudia stared at the water, while York stared at her.

He remembered the day she learned to walk. Her parents had excitedly brought her over to his house. A room full of adults had tried to coax the little toddler to walk to them.

But Claudia had ignored them all, toddling unsteadily toward York before collapsing into his arms with a giggle, calling his name in a garbled voice.

She had been like that for years, always seeking his embrace, his closeness, regardless of who was watching.

But ever since he had lied about a business trip and spent a month with Ann and her son, she hadn't willingly hugged him once.

He spoke, his voice tinged with a strange longing. "Claudia, I'm not going to explain about Ann and her son. But we've been married for three years. Even if you have no trust left for me, can't we at least give ourselves time to cool down instead of rushing into a divorce?"

Claudia glanced at him, her tone calm. "York, when I first found out you were cheating, I admit I wasn't calm."

"I had sleepless nights," she continued. "My mind wouldn't stop racing. I was hysterical with you. I even thought about killing myself."

York's throat bobbed. He reached for her hand, his movement tentative and cautious.

She recited his words back to him. "You said that with my family bankrupt, helping us out was a win-win for your reputation and business."

He took a step forward, his hands gripping her shoulders. "Claudia, stop!"

"You said," she went on, ignoring him, "that marrying me was a plan, the next best thing, something you were forced into."

Tears finally spilled from her eyes.

York pulled her into his arms, his heart feeling as if it were being squeezed by an iron fist, making it hard to breathe.

This time, she didn't struggle. She rested limply against his chest, her voice muffled. "After that day, I never dared to be willful again. I stopped throwing tantrums. I tried so hard to please you, to read the room at the manor. I was terrified you'd get tired of me, that you'd leave me."

"York," she whispered, "I haven't been that proud, headstrong Miss Watkins for a long time. Did you really not notice?"