The Verdict on My Husband the Judge: GUILTY novel Chapter 15

Chapter 7

After the wedding, Julian and I moved into the master bedroom together.

Married life turned out to be even better than I’d imagined.

Julian worked during the day while I kept busy with freelance design commissions.

In the evenings, we either went out to eat or had our housekeeper prepare dinner.

If he got off work early, he’d even cook himself.

I never expected this polished, well–bred man to be such a good cook–or to treat cooking like an art form.

Three months passed.

After spending so much time at home, I started wanting to build something of my own.

With support from my parents and Julian, I leased a few office spaces in a design studio.

own high–rise and opened my own

I hired a few recent college grads, and working alongside them made me feel young and alive again.

It was busy, but I felt unexpectedly fulfilled.

Before, I’d poured my whole heart into Wes. I never even thought about building something for myself.

Looking back now, wasting all that time on a man was the stupidest thing I ever did.

One night, after working late to finish a new design, I left the studio and found Wes waiting downstairs.

Three months had changed him. He’d lost weight.

Dark circles shadowed his eyes. Stubble lined his jaw. His once–straight posture had slumped. The confident energy

he used to carry was gone.

I touched my calm, steady chest and realized–I felt nothing.

I’d completely let go of the man I used to love so deeply.

The wounds I thought would never heal had finally scarred over.

I moved to walk past him, but he grabbed my arm.

“Brynn, can we talk? Please.”

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The Verdict on My Husbal the Judge: GUILTY

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Chapter 7

I saw the grief and desperation in his eyes, but my heart didn’t waver.

When had Wes–the man I’d put on a pedestal–ever looked at me like this?

I pulled my arm free and said flatly:

“I don’t think we have anything left to say.”

I raised my hand and flashed the diamond ring on my finger

“Mr. Vaughn, I’ve been married for three months.”

Wes’s body visibly stiffened, but he still blocked my path.

“Brynn, I really need to say this. Please. Just give me one chance. Please.”

I didn’t answer. I just crossed my arms and stared at him coldly.

“I used to think Stella and I could never be together. So having you by my s

ed… good enough.”

He laughed bitterly, his voice shaking.

“But I was still stupid enough to put all my feelings into Stella. So when I heard she was coming back, my heart jumped.”

“But I swear, Brynn, I only ever planned to marry you. No one else.”

His voice cracked.

Moonlight lit up his still–handsome face. His eyes, once so captivating, now shimmered with unshed tears.

I used to fall for that look every time. Now it just made me sick.

His eyes reddened as he spoke, his voice pleading.

“Brynn, I was so wrong. I took advantage of how much you loved me and hurt you over and over. You have every right to be angry. To be disappointed.”

“I used to think Stella was the one I loved. That you were just a substitute.”

“But when I saw the news about you and Julian getting married, it felt like I was being torn apart. I didn’t even think–I just drove straight to the chapel.”

“That’s when I realized–I’d already fallen in love with you.”

“Your love is worthless.”

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The Verdict on My Husbar the Judge: GUILTY

Chapter 7

I said it calmly and took a step back, putting distance between us.

“Whether it’s me or Stella, your feelings are always half–hearted.”

“The only person you really love is yourself. Otherwise, why didn’t you stand up to your family for Stella? Why did you hide like a coward for so long?”

“And I don’t think you actually love me.”

“You’re just not used to no one worshiping you anymore. No one putting their whole heart into you.”

“Wes, you’re disgusting.”

I walked past him and left.

I heard quiet sobs behind me, but I never looked back.

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The Verdict on My Husband the Judge: GUILTY