The Verdict on My Husband the Judge: GUILTY novel Chapter 22

Chapter 6

Theo paced the Blackwood mansion’s grand hall for what felt like forever, restless–until he finally heard a door click open upstairs.

He shot up, craning his neck, but only saw Sander step out.

“Mr. Blackwood… where’s Jul–I mean, Bianca?” His voice shook, though he tried to steady it. “I… I’m here to take her home.”

Sander’s eyes sliced through him, cold and sharp, making his skin crawl.

A long pause stretched. Then Sander’s lips curved into a slow, wicked smile.

“Who told you the woman I want gets to leave?”

Theo froze. “But before… you always-”

“Before was before.” Sander leaned back lazily, smirk sharp as a blade. “This one’s different. I’m keeping her. What’s the matter, Harrington? Can’t even let go of one little mistress?”

Theo opened his mouth, but words tangled up. He clenched his jaw.

Finally, he swallowed his fear and spoke. “Mr. Blackwood… the woman you had last night… wasn’t Bianca Moreau. It was my wife–Juliette Hawthorne. Harrington heiress.”

Sander’s gaze didn’t flinch. “She’s important. I’m not just handing her over.”

“Oh? So that’s the kind of husband you are?” Sander laughed low and derisive. “Then why the hell did you send your wife here yourself yesterday? You knew exactly what she’d walk into… or did you just not care?”

He tossed a document onto the table, eyes glinting. “Decide fast. She’s not waiting forever.”

“Sign it. Or the fact that you even tried a switcheroo gives the Blackwoods every reason to crush the Harringtons.”

Theo’s eyes landed on the papers.

Divorce papers.

He scoffed, forcing a condescending smile. “Even if I had no objections, my wife loves me… there’s no way she’d agree to sign this, so I suggest you-‘

”

“Look closer.”

Sander tapped the table. Voice ice–cold. “Stop wasting my tin with bullshit.”

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The Verdict on My Husband the Judge: GUILTY

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Chapter 6

A chill ran down Theo’s spine. That old, buried fear resurfaced: would Juliette really not hold this against him?

He flipped the document.

Bottom right corner–Juliette’s signature. Clean. Decisive. Jus as he remembered.

Theo laughed nervously. “Coercing someone to sign papers and break up a marriage… won’t look good if word gets out, Mr. Blackwood.”

“Coercion?” Sander’s tone was flat. “I don’t force anyone. She’s not here only because she was exhausted and fell

asleep.”

“My patience is thin, Harrington. Sign before I lose it.”

Theo’s hand shook as he grabbed the pen.

Finally, he scrawled his name next to hers.

He searched frantically–tear stains, scratches, anything to prove she hadn’t wanted this.

Nothing. Just stark black ink.

He drifted home like a ghost, swallowed by a chasm of dread

In the living room, his mother sipped tea–though she was supposed to be abroad.

“Where’s Juliette?” she demanded, eyes sharp.

Theo shook his head, mute.

Fury exploded across Genevieve’s face. She rose, slapping him hard.

“Theo Harrington, you absolute fool! Chen said you delivered Juliette to Lysander Blackwood’s bed yourself–I didn’t believe him, but now… he was right!”

“What am I supposed to say? You’re useless! Worse than useless! You’ll be the death of me!”

Theo clutched his cheek, dazed. “Mom… what are you talking about?”

Her manicured finger jabbed at him. “Questions, always questions!”

“In five years, did you never notice every Harrington company suddenly flush with investment? That money gave us leverage in circles we had no right being in!”

“That was Blackwood money! Lysander came to your father and me before your wedding. He told us to treat Juliette well. As long as she stayed happy… the money kept flowing.”

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The Verdict on My Husband the Judge: GUILTY

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Chapter 6

Theo froze. “Why didn’t anyone tell me?”

Genevieve laughed bitterly. “Even without the money, we owed the Hawthornes for saving our lives. We’d never hurt Juliette or push her away. We thought… maybe not telling you would keep you apart. But were we wrong!”

“That boy’s been obsessed with Juliette for years and you just handed her to him on a silver platter like an idiot!”

Something seemed to click in Genevieve’s mind and she grabbed her son’s arm. “It’s fine. As long as you’re not divorced yet, there’s still time.”

“I’ll go with you to apologize. If she sees me begging, Juliette will soften. She always does…”

Theo’s voice came out hollow. “Mom. It’s too late.”

“Jules and I are already divorced.”

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