The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 356

So fast. So rushed. She hadn't given him a single second to breathe.

No, that wasn't true. Time had been entirely on his side for two whole years.

They had lived under the same roof. She used to call him her husband. He used to eat the breakfasts and dinners she carefully prepared.

But those days had slipped through his fingers, leaving absolutely nothing behind.

Lately, he had been packing his schedule to the brim, desperately trying not to dwell on the fact that he was officially a divorced man.

But how could she walk away so decisively, so quickly? She had never once looked back at him.

As Garnett walked out of the Harper estate, his phone buzzed.

It was a text from a designer friend who ran a high-end boutique: *[Mr. Harper, your wife is at my shop ordering a custom gown. Thanks for the business!]*

Attached was a photo.

In the picture, Lavinia was wearing an elegant white evening gown, adorned with crystals and pearls. She looked radiant and pure.

White. Was this her wedding dress?

A suffocating grip of jealousy and sorrow seized Garnett's heart.

He texted back: *[Where's your boutique? I'm coming to pay for it.]*

***

Lavinia stood on the fitting platform, examining herself in the mirror. This was already the fifth gown she'd tried on.

Julian sat on the sofa opposite her, scrutinizing the look with the critical eye of an art director.

"Julian, what do you think of this one?" Lavinia asked.

A voice suddenly cut in from the doorway: "Not as good as the one you wore at our wedding."

Both Lavinia and Julian turned toward the sound. Garnett was leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed, his eyes dark and brooding.

Lavinia stood frozen on the platform, her rigid posture reflected in the three-way mirror.

He had shown up completely uninvited, just to humiliate her in front of the designer, the staff, and the other clients.

He had done this to her countless times before, and he had never once been truly sorry. In his eyes, she was and always would be completely beneath him.

Julian stood up, stepping protectively in front of Lavinia. He locked eyes with Garnett and said with deadly calm, "Garnett, I suggest you apologize to my cousin right now."

Garnett faltered. "Since when is she your cousin?"

"You don't know?" Julian looked at him with genuine pity. "I guess no one bothered to tell you."

"Tell me what?"

Julian spoke clearly, making sure every word landed. "Lavinia is Judith's biological granddaughter. Her mother was the daughter Judith lost decades ago. In two weeks, the Gilmore family is hosting an Ancestor Recognition Ceremony to formally welcome her home. We're here today to pick out her gown for the event."

Garnett stared at him, utterly paralyzed.