Chapter 19
“I’m not giving you a list of grievances for some half–assed apology, Bastien.I checked out of this marriage ages ago,so I don’t need your sorry, I don’t want to forgive you and see you again.“]
Her voice cracked as she spoke. Bastien’s jaw tightened, his eyes rimming red.]
“Jesus, Ophelia. How did you shut off your feelings so damn fast?“]
“At least I actually loved you. What about you?“]
Bastien froze, her words hitting him like a slap. That he’d treated her like shit?]]
He didn’t see it that way. He hadn’t been in contact with Anastasia for years before this. There were no other women.
As for Anastasia–yeah, she was complicated, but she had never replaced Ophelia
He just wanted to keep Anastasia from killing herself.]
“Look, there’s been a massive misunderstanding here. I aplogize to you about Anastasia, but I genuinely love you.“]
Ophelia covered her face with her hands before dropping them with a sigh.]
“Anastasia’s drama just finally made me see the truth. I’ve been holding onto absolutely nothing. What a waste.“]]
Bastien felt like someone was sitting on his chest. He had no defense.]]
“So when I suggested a fake divorce, you were already planning the real thing.“]
“Yes.”
“I’d already hired a lawyer, Bastien. I was working up the courage to tell you. Then you handed me the perfect exit with your fake divorce bullshit. Talk about timing.
“If I’d known how you felt-“]
“That’s exactly why I’m so damn glad we’re divorced.“]]–
Ophelia exhaled like she’d been holding her breath for years.
“Look, let’s cut the crap. Nothing you’ve ever done suggests you give a shit about me, so drop the lovesick act!“]
“Go home now!”
As she finished, Bastien shook his head frantically.
“No, that’s not–you don’t understand. I screwed up, I know that. Just give me one more shot. I’ll do better. I swear to God I’ll do better.”]
His words tumbled out desperately. Ophelia felt a wave of revulsion wash over her.[]
“I’m done here!“]
She started to stand, but Bastien grabbed her wrist. Too weak to fight him off, she simply sat back down.[]
Slowly, she pulled off her hat. Her head was completely shaved, with an angry surgical scar zigzagging across her scalp like a lightning bolt.[]
The color drained from Bastien’s face, his eyes wide with horror.[]
“What the fuck happened to you?”
Ophelia gave a bitter smile. “You know the day I called begging you to come to the hospital? I had just been told I had a fucking brain tumor growing inside my head! I’m sacared then and I could have died right there on that table!And where were you? Playing with your precious fucking Anastasia.“]}]
Bastien staggered backward, shaking his head.
“Why didn’t you just tell me?”
“Would you have accused me of faking cancer for attention?“]
“Thank God I came back to London in time. When I collapsed, I was with my families. That’s why I’m still alive.“[]
“We’re done, Bastien. I don’t love you anymore. Stop trying to drag me back into your life.“[]
