Chapter 8
The moment those words left my mouth, even I was stunned.[]
It was the kind of absolute despair that comes after complete disappointment.[]
Blake clearly hadn’t expected such a response either.[]
His hand holding mine gradually fell away.[]
When he looked at me again, tears streamed down his face.[]
“Harper…”
“Stop talking, Blake. Let’s get divorced.“[]
The instant I said “divorced,” I felt like all the energy had been drained from my body.[]
I’d stared at Blake’s back countless times, dreaming about our future together.]
Maybe growing old hand–in–hand watching sunsets.
Maybe surrounded by children and grandchildren, enjoying family bliss.]
I’d even imagined what our final goodbye in some hospital might look like…]
But I’d never imagined it would end like this.[]
After all, this was the man I’d loved through my entire youth.[]
Tears betrayed me, sliding down my cheeks.]
But I knew we were truly over…]
Blake seemed shocked that I’d said “divorce” so decisively.
His body started shaking uncontrollably as he kowtowed and begged: “Harper, please don’t do this. I really love you. Please give me one more chance?”
For some reason, hearing Blake call my name so intimately again made me feel sick. My stomach started churning.
I couldn’t stand dragging this out any longer, so I pressed the call button.[]
Instantly, Dad burst in with a team of security guards and threw the sobbing Blake out without a word…]
When the crying finally faded down the hallway, my heart found peace again.[]
Dad looked at my tear streaked face with pure heartbreak, gently wiping away my tears; “Harper, this will all pass. I’ve been reflecting outside–maybe Dad was wrong, Maybe without this test, you and Blake could’ve been happy forever…“[]
“No.”
For the first time, I interrupted Dad.]
“I need to thank you for letting me see his true colors while there was still time…“]
Yeah, when Blake had knelt in front of me, I’d genuinely felt afraid.[]
I realized I’d never truly understood this man.]
He could risk his life to save me for power and status.]
Chapter 8
If there hadn’t been that bet six months ago, if Dad had actually believed me and handed the Winston empire to Blake…]
Maybe today it would be Dad and me facing complete destruction…]
-0
A month later, I’d fully recovered and was discharged from the hospital.[]
Lounging on my couch, I saw news about Blake.[]
After leaving the hospital that day, Blake had completely vanished from the city.
Until three days ago, he’d appeared on top of the Winston Industries building.
Looking at the restored “Winston Industries” sign, he’d smiled and jumped to his death…
The day after Blake’s suicide, Claire was found dead in the Winston Industries basement.
All major blood vessels severed, no signs of murder.
Within that month, all of Blake’s lackeys from the freezer incident had died or been seriously injured.[]
They’d all left suicide notes claiming Blake was responsible.
The crime scenes were covered in Blake’s fingerprints. With solid evidence, the cases were quickly closed.[]
Dad’s miraculous survival stayed in the city’s trending topics for six months straight.
During those six months, Winston Industries absorbed dozens of companies and grew stronger than ever.[]
I’d built another layer of armor around my already hardened shell.]
Maybe no one would ever reach my heart again.]
But that was exactly the ending I wanted, wasn’t it…[]
