When She Ended It With Divorce (Chiara and Titus) novel Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Chiara stood frozen, staring at Titus in stunned silence. Then, a bitter laugh escaped her lips, sharp and disbelieving. Holding the document firmly in her hand, she met his eyes with a mix of shock and incredulity.

“How do you expect me to accept this?” she demanded, her voice trembling slightly but laced with hurt.

Titus’s gaze sharpened, his brow furrowing. “Why wouldn’t I show it to you?” he replied coolly, as if the answer were obvious.

Chiara took a slow, steadying breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside her. “And what about Elaine?” she challenged, her voice low but firm. “Would you call that loyalty?”

A shadow passed over Titus’s face, his expression hardening. “I’ve told you before—you’re the only wife I want,” he insisted, voice edged with frustration.

She shook her head, pain flashing in her eyes. “Even if you never laid a hand on her, your heart wasn’t mine. That’s betrayal, Titus. Emotional cheating is still cheating,” she shot back, unable to hide the sting in her words.

His eyes turned cold, almost icy. “You’re just grasping at reasons to walk away,” he accused, voice sharp.

Chiara held his gaze without wavering. “This was never about just physical fidelity,” she said quietly but resolutely. “You’ve never been completely mine, and that’s something I can’t live with. Had I known from the start your heart belonged to someone else, I never would have agreed to this marriage.”

She straightened, her voice gaining strength as she spoke her truth. “I have my own standards, just as firm as yours. I need a man whose heart is fully present. I won’t stay with someone who’s emotionally tied to another.”

Titus’s lips curled into a mocking smile, clearly amused by her resolve. “If that’s such a problem for you…” he began, stepping closer.

His hand lifted her chin gently but firmly, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Then how did you manage to endure it all these years?” he asked, voice low and almost teasing.

For a moment, Chiara faltered, her defenses wavering. But she quickly regained her composure and held his eyes without blinking. “You’re right,” she admitted softly. “I’ve been pretending for three years. But I’ve reached my breaking point. I’m done pretending.”

The intensity in Titus’s eyes deepened as he studied her, his expression unreadable. When he finally spoke, his voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. “This agreement is still binding. You can’t leave without my permission. Be wise, Chiara. I expect you back home tomorrow—one way or another.”

Chiara gripped the divorce papers tightly, a bitter taste settling in her mouth. She had never imagined that the very contract meant to secure her future would become the chain that held her captive.

With a heavy sigh, she set the documents down on the table and turned away, her footsteps echoing softly as she walked out of the room without a word.

Titus lit a cigarette, his eyes never leaving her as she crossed the room and opened the study door. “Remember,” he said quietly but firmly, “I want you home tomorrow night.”

Chiara’s hand tightened on the doorknob, but she didn’t hesitate. She stepped out and closed the door behind her, refusing to look back.

Outside, in the dimming light of the courtyard, Paul was already waiting beside the car. He opened the passenger door for her and said, “Mr. Goodman sent me to drive you home.”

Chiara barely glanced at him, her attention fixed on the second-floor window.

There, framed against the fading sky, stood Titus, watching her from above. The cigarette in his hand glowed faintly, a small ember in the encroaching dusk.

Their eyes locked across the distance, the silence between them heavy with unspoken emotions. The moment stretched taut before Chiara finally broke away, sliding into the car.

The drive home was enveloped in silence until, suddenly, Chiara spoke. “Paul.”

He glanced at her through the rearview mirror. “Yes, Mrs. Goodman?”

She hesitated a moment, then asked quietly, “What’s really going on between Titus and Ms. Jensen?”

Paul was caught off guard, stumbling over his words as his eyes darted away from her penetrating gaze. “Uh… well, they…”

Chiara turned toward the window, a faint, knowing smile playing on her lips. “Forget I asked. It was just a joke. Honestly, I already know the answer.”

Paul remained silent, unsure how to respond to her veiled admission.

As soon as Chiara stepped inside the house, Heather rushed over, concern written all over her face. “Are you okay? What happened?”

“Nothing,” Chiara replied, shaking her head, forcing a smile. “Really, I’m fine.”

Heather’s eyes scanned her sister carefully, searching for any sign of injury or distress before relaxing slightly.

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