Broken Vows and Buried Twins novel Chapter 267

"I was forced by circumstances," Julian said, a weary helplessness in his voice as he sighed. "Haven't I already explained all of that to you?"

"Yes, you did."

Her expression was terrifyingly serene. "But just because you explained it doesn't mean I have to accept it. I have a clear conscience about how this marriage ended up. But you? You show zero remorse. You don't even think you did anything wrong.

"So, going forward, if Caden needs my help, have Neil or Dr. Fuller contact me. We have absolutely nothing left to talk about. Stay far away from me. Consider it your contribution to my prenatal peace."

With that, she turned on her heel and strode back into the elevator without a backward glance.

Watching her walk away, Julian squeezed his eyes shut in agony.

He couldn't rush this. He couldn't afford to mess it up.

Just a little longer. He was so close.

...

Tall and unyielding as a pine tree, Leon Hunt stood firmly in the doorway, physically blocking a sobbing, hysterical Seraphina from entering the room.

Hester and Julian arrived downstairs mere moments apart.

Seeing them walking over together, Seraphina momentarily froze.

Then, she suddenly sprinted toward Hester—

Instinctively, Julian reached out, shielding Hester behind him.

Keeping one hand protectively over her slightly rounded belly, Hester eyed the woman with deep suspicion.

With a loud thud, Seraphina dropped to her knees right in front of her.

"Hester, please, I'm begging you! If you have a grudge against me, take it out on me! But he's just a child. He's already pitiful enough growing up without a father. Please, just let him go!"

Tilting her head up, tears streaming down her face, Seraphina unleashed a harrowing, gut-wrenching wail that echoed down the hospital corridor.

In the past, she would have assumed he was just being his usual, stubbornly blind self.

But the conversation on the roof, despite his evasiveness, had given her a crucial piece of the puzzle.

At the very least, Julian was definitely suspicious of his sister-in-law.

His current performance was likely a calculated move to keep from tipping his hand.

It seemed whatever secrets Seraphina was hiding went far deeper than the surface-level dirt Gael's friend had dug up.

Understanding the game, Hester sneered coldly. "If it breaks your heart so much, why don't you just marry her? Then she and the boy can rely on you legally and properly."

"Hester!" he roared. "You're completely irrational! They are our family! It is my duty to care for them!"

"You can claim whoever you want as your family, but I want no part of it," she scoffed. "Being associated with you people makes me sick to my stomach! You and your precious sister-in-law deserve each other!"

With that parting shot, she turned and marched straight for the elevators.