The Verdict on My Husband the Judge: GUILTY novel Chapter 63

Kieran looked at me like I’d announced I was joining a cult.

Pure confusion clouded his features. “Seriously? You’re going to blow up our marriage over this trivial?”

I casually plucked a rose from a nearby bush. It was in perfect bloom, and I brought it to my nose, inhaling its delicate sweetness.

For years, I’d barely been able to smell anything because of those nasal polyps. After the surgery, my senses w slowly returning.

Which is how I could now clearly detect the scent of expensive women’s perfume clinging to his shirt.

I never wore perfume–it always gave me headaches.

I spoke with deadly calm: “Getting me size 8 shoes when I wear size 6 is trivial.”

“Forgetting our anniversary is trivial.”

“Losing your wedding ring is trivial.”

“Playing house with your college sweetheart while I’m having surgery is trivial.”

I glanced at the discarded shoes lying in the grass.

“Tell me, Kieran–what exactly would qualify as a big deal in your world?”

“I want a divorce. Squeeze me into your packed schedule this week so we can make it official.”

Kieran rubbed his temples like I was giving him a migraine Babe, come on. You’re being dramatic again.”

I met his eyes with laser focus. “I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.”

After a moment, I added, “I know your company is going public soon, and a messy divorce would tank your image. I’m willing to wait until after the IPO, but I’m moving out immediately.”

He grabbed my hand desperately, panic flooding his features. “I need to understand why. What did I do wrong?”

Why? I let out a bitter laugh. “Because you’re incapable of giving me what I need.”

I yanked my hand free and turned to leave. We were in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by gated estates, but I’d already made my dramatle exit–I couldn’t exactly spend the night now.

I grabbed my purse, made polite excuses to his parents, and left with whatever dignity I had remaining.

14:46

The Verdict on My that the Judge GULJY

Chapter 4

Halfway down the winding road, I was already regretting not driving myself.

Kieran tried to follow me, offering a ride, but I shut him down.

“I need space to think.”

By the time I’d walked a mile toward the main road, I was seriously questioning my stubborn streak. If he’d ask one more time, I probably would have caved.

Suddenly, I heard a car horn behind me. My heart jumped as I turned around.

“Kieran…”

The person leaning out of the driver’s window gave me an amused smile.

“Sorry to disappoint. Just me.”

It was Caspian. He was wearing casual weekend clothes and black–rimmed glasses that made him look younger, more approachable–like the college version of himself I’d fallen for years ago.

For a split second, I felt like I’d time–traveled.

“Rough night?”

I deflected, “What are you doing in this neighborhood?”

“Had dinner with a friend who lives around here. Want a ride?”

After a moment’s hesitation, I slid into his passenger seat.

The car was completely silent. Caspian clearly sensed I was emotionally fragile, so he thoughtfully turned on some

music.

Ten minutes in, I started recognizing the playlist.

I’m ridiculously sentimental–my taste in music hasn’t evolved much over the years.

These were all songs from a playlist I’d created on his phone back when we were together.

I turned to stare at him in disbelief. “You actually kept my old playlist? After all this time?”

He shrugged casually. “Yeah.”

Then I spotted the colorful candy scattered in his cup holder and rolled my eyes. “You’re thirty–two years old and still eating rainbow gummies? What childish!”

Then it hit me. I used to get brutal low blood sugar episodes, o Caspian had always carried candy for emergencies.

14:46

The Verdict on My Husbat the Judge: GUILTY

Chapter 4

Apparently, old habits died hard.

He let out a dry laugh. “Not as childish as someone who spent two solid years logging into my mobile game account just to kill my virtual pet.”

That comment successfully murdered the tentative warmth that had been building.

We used to be so stupidly in love, and it had all imploded so spectacularly.

Thinking about our history made me wonder if I was just fundamentally broken when it came to relationships–otherwise, why was I heading for divorce number one at thirty?

The thought of Kieran made my chest tighten with fresh anger.

I watched raindrops start forming on the passenger window. The weather was matching my mood.

His voice cut through the heavy silence.

“Do you ever regret it? Walking away from us and then rushing into marriage two months later?”

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