No Divorce? The Billionaire's Love Chase! novel Chapter 81

There was hardly anyone in the hospital's park in the morning.

The few people who passed by were inevitably drawn to the striking good looks of York and Claudia.

York, dressed in a suit, held Claudia, who wore a white dress. To outsiders, they looked radiant, a perfectly matched pair.

Only by getting closer could one see the grim expression on York's face and the tear stains on Claudia's.

It was just like their marriage: flawless on the surface, but riddled with gaping wounds underneath.

Claudia struggled out of York's arms.

She wiped her tears and said to him, "A loveless three-year marriage killed the person I used to be. I don't blame you, and I won't hate you, because it was my own choice."

York stood before her, his thin lips pressed tightly together, saying nothing as he stared intently at her pale face.

Claudia tried to persuade him patiently, "York, the woman you love is back. You have a son together. You've found your happiness, and I've found a way to pay you back. Can we please part on good terms and get a divorce?"

Their eyes met, and both of their gazes reddened.

York was struggling for control; a vein throbbed on his forehead, and his hands, clenched into fists at his sides, were white-knuckled.

"Claudia," he said, "it's true I've been taking care of Ann James and her son recently, but I haven't had sex with her!"

Claudia shook her head, tears rolling down her cheeks uncontrollably. "But the fact that you have a son together can never be erased!"

York staggered back a step.

He was silent for a long moment before he found his voice again.

"We’ll never divorce," he stated. "I know you're hurting and can't accept this right now. You can continue staying with your parents until we've completely resolved the issues between us."

Claudia's composure began to crumble. "York, I don't want to be dragged along with you anymore. A single phone call from your grandfather cost me my job. I just want to live my own life. I don't want to have anything to do with the Ferguson family ever again!"

Even now, he still wanted to use her as a cover, a decoration to maintain his hypocritical image as a devoted family man.

For the next several days, the hospital director kept making excuses for Claudia to rest, a transparent attempt to pressure her into resigning.

Then, a few days later, while Claudia was at home chatting with her parents, she received a call from the auction house. Her jewelry had failed to sell.

"How is that possible!"

Claudia and her parents exclaimed in near unison upon hearing the news.

After hanging up, Claudia grew anxious. "Dad, Mom, the reserve price I set for the auction house wasn't high. How could the jewelry not sell?"

Jessica glanced at her husband, then said hesitantly, "Could someone have secretly prevented potential clients from bidding?"

It had to be York.