The Verdict on My Husband the Judge: GUILTY novel Chapter 17

Theo Harrington and I were the golden couple everyone enved.

Until his favorite sugar baby caught his eye–Lysander Blackwood, Boston’s Shadow King, whose name alone froze

hearts.

He wanted Bianca–and gave Theo just three days to make her ready for his bed.

Theo vanished for an entire day before finally stumbling home.

I got to his study, only to freeze at the door and overhear him talking to one of his men.

“Bianca suffered too much. Juliette’s had it easy her whole damn life–What’s the big deal if she takes Bianca’s place?”

His assistant spoke cautiously.“Sir… your wife’s the Hawthorne heiress. Your grandfather promised her parents she’d be safe–nothing would ever happen to her—”

“And when Shadow king realizes we sent the wrong woman, Mrs. Harrington will—”

“Enough.” Theo snapped, cutting him off. “She’s lived off the Harrington name for years. That debt’s been paid in full. But Bianca? She has nothing.”

“Once this blows over, She can keep the title of Mrs. Harrington. I won’t hold it against her.”

I stood there, staring at his profile–that face I’d memorized in a thousand tender moments.

My heart felt like it was being filleted with a dull blade.

Theo Harrington, If you’re the one betraying this love, I’m DONE with you!

“Theo… if something happens to Juliette, I’ll never forgive myself…”

Bianca’s voice came through the door, soft and shaking.

She was in there too. Of course she was.

I could picture her perfectly–curled up at his feet, looking at him with those big, wounded eyes.

Theo sighed. “You’re too sweet, Bianca, That’s your problem.

“Listen to me. Juliette’s got nowhere else to go. Even if things go south, she won’t dare come after you.”

“But-”

20.05

The Verdict on My Husband the Judge: GUILTY

13.3%

Chapter 1

He cut her off. I heard the rustle of movement, then silence.

He was kissing her.

When they finally pulled back,his voice was low and warm.Quit worrying about her. Start thinking about what it’s gonna be like when you’re actually Mrs. Harrington.”

His men chuckled knowingly.

Bianca blushed crimson and buried her face in his chest.

Something cold and heavy settled in my stomach.

I turned to walk away.

Theo’s voice floated after her, quiet but clear.

“…Look, I’m making Juliette go instead of you. But you’re the one I actually care about. Just… remember that, okay?”

When Theo walked out of the study with Bianca, I was sitting in the living room.

The second he saw me, he dropped her hand like it burned.

He crossed the room in three strides, grinning. “Hey! You’re back! Why didn’t you text me? I would’ve come get you.”

I looked past him at Bianca, silent.

Her eyes immediately got all glassy. That poor–little–victim look.

Theo frowned. “Seriously? You’ve known about Bianca for months now. We’re still doing this?”

Then he seemed to catch himself.

His face softened. He actually dropped to one knee in front of me.

“Jules. Baby. I promise–no one’s taking your spot. You’re my wife. That’s not changing.”

His eyes were full of that same tender devotion like nothing had changed.

Like I hadn’t just heard him offer me up like livestock.

I smiled.

Five years of marriage, and I thought we were solid–until Banca caught Lysander Blackwood’s eye.

20:06

The Verdict on My Husband the Judge: GUILTY

13.5%

Chapter 1

That night, Theo came home and completely lost it–shattering his office, then himself, crying that he couldn’t lose

her.

That’s when I finally woke up.

I asked for a divorce the next morning.

He sobbed, swearing he’d end things with Bianca and that he couldn’t live without me.

I’d been foolish enough to forgive him, only for him to keep ushing, testing how much I’d take.

Now? His heart had already made the choice his mouth wouldn’t say out loud.

When I still didn’t respond, Theo took my hand, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles.

“Jules… Sander’s having people over in three days. Come with me?”

Sander. Lysander Blackwood.

The “party” was just foreplay to whatever hell he had planned.

I looked at Theo evenly. “I’m not feeling well. I’ll pass.”

I started to pull my hand back–then froze.

His ring finger was bare.

“Where’s your ring?”

The one we’d spent ninety–nine days designing together at that little metalwork studio. Custom–fit, seamlessly forged. You couldn’t remove it without force.

I still remembered the night we finished–exhausted, wordless, curling up together on the workshop floor.

It had been the happiest memory of my life.

The reason I’d held on this long.

Theo’s face went rigid.

Before he could answer, Bianca piped up from behind him.

“Oh, that ugly thing? I couldn’t stand looking at it, so I crushed it last night. Probably in the drain by now…”

CRACK.

I rose and slapped her across the face.

20:06

The Verdict on My Husband the Judge: GUILTY

13.8%

Chapter 1

Her pale cheek bloomed red instantly.

She looked up at Theo with trembling lips, eyes brimming. “Theo… I was just being honest…”

CRACK.

The other cheek.

I wiped my hand calmly. “Do I remember asking for your opinion? Because as long as I live in this house, I’m still Mrs. Harrington.”

“Now GET OUT.”

Bianca’s eyes darted to Theo–waiting for him to defend her.

He said nothing.

She left, sniffling.

Theo exhaled slowly. “Okay. You got your hits in. Feel better? So we’re good for the party, right?”

I stared at him.

Then I laughed.

“Theo… what am I to you? Really?”

“Just some toy you can toss aside when it’s inconvenient?”

He flinched. “You… you heard.”

He pressed his lips together. “Jules, you still have me. But if Blanca’s destroyed, she’ll have nothing. She won’t survive it…”

I didn’t answer, just laughed–until the tears came.

Theo looked away like my tears physically hurt him. He turned and walked toward the door.

“Think it over.”

And then he was gone.

♡ (0)

20:06