Semua Bab Panicking Over His Newfound Freedom: Bab 1 - Bab 8

I did not head over to the new place Hayden arranged for me, and instead returned to the old neighborhood I lived in before I married him. As I breathed in the familiar scent of my past, I found myself reminiscing on the days when I first met Hayden.I'd been an orphan since I was young, and a lady I'd never met remotely sponsored my upkeep. When she found out I'd moved into the abode she'd bought in an old neighborhood and successfully got into college, she cut off all contact with me.One winter, Hayden and his family happened to move into the unit below mine. He'd loved coming up to my place and seeking out my company.When he found out I loved roasted chestnuts, he'd show up outside my door with a paper bag of piping hot, roasted chestnuts and knock on the metal grille until it rattled. I'd open the door and see his bright smile behind the subtle steam from the chestnuts.Hayden would squeeze past me through the door and peel a chestnut. After that, he'd blow on it to cool it.

After I'd sat in Julian's car for what felt like ages, I finally came to my senses.Julian was quiet beside me. I mutely lifted my gaze to him, only to see that his left cheek was slightly swollen. Wincing in embarrassment and guilt, I asked, "Are you okay?"The man who had been staring out the window suddenly turned toward me, looking aggrieved. "No, my face hurts!"So, I'd hit him after all. I caught the wide-eyed shock that flickered over the driver's face, but as if eager to avoid looking at me and Julian, he fixed his eyes on the road ahead. I bet the driver had a lot to say about me and Julian.Julian was a little disgruntled as he turned my face toward him. "Eyes over here, Elena.""Okay." We held each other's gaze for a long moment before I broke the silence. "I'm sorry… I didn't know what came over me. I didn't mean to lash out at you."Sympathy welled up in Julian's eyes. He stroked my hair and said, "It was my fault. I remembered that you loved roasted chestnuts in hig

Upon returning home, Julian took care of John and pulled a few stunts to annihilate the entire Sawyer family. John ended up serving a life sentence.After the incident, Julian wouldn't let me out of his sight and insisted on taking me everywhere he went. Sometimes, he was so paranoid and dramatic that he expected me to follow him into the bathroom.I eyed him with mild exasperation and pointed out, "Even couples have boundaries, you know."He took my hand and pressed it against his sculpted chest. The strong column of his throat bobbed as he said, "I'd like you to cross mine."Rendered speechless, I drew my hand back and slammed the door in his face. After that, I bolted into the kitchen and splashed ice-cold water on my face to cool my heated cheeks. Julian was becoming more of a rogue each day, but I still wasn't ready to take things to the next level!While waiting for Julian to emerge from the bathroom, I tapped into my Instagram account. It had been some time since I last che

The crowd went still. After all, none of them had expected Julian to have quietly gotten married, and to an unheard-of woman like me, no less!Hayden's smile began to slip. "You must be joking, Mr. Langley—"I cut him off in a steely tone, "Hayden, we're divorced. I never thought any of this was a game. The hurt you caused me was real. We're over, and there's no way we're getting back together, you hear me? Leave me alone. You're getting on my nerves."Julian wrapped his arm around my shoulders and led me toward the lounge. "Sorry, but my wife's feeling unwell. Please excuse us."With that, he paid no mind to the others around him and led me out of the hall.My hands were still shaking when we returned to the room we'd booked. I glanced at Julain, who was nearby taking water for me from the cooler. I sheepishly asked, "Did you think I was rude for interrupting you like a child when you were in the middle of a conversation?"Julian handed me the cup of water and waited until I'd d