All Chapters of Divorced, Yet He Can’t Let Me Go: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Sophie let out a cold laugh. The more it hurt, the sharper her words became.“Let me make this clear. I don’t want him anymore. If having a man is the only thing that makes you feel worth anything, take him. Put him on a pedestal. Just stop embarrassing yourself in front of me!”Anger flashed in Savannah’s eyes, but she abruptly swallowed it.A cold voice rang out behind Sophie, tight with fury.“Sophie!”Adrian had taken the stairs. His dark hair was slightly disheveled, a sheen of sweat on his temples and brow.He stared at her, his jaw clenched.“Do you have any idea what you’re saying?”Sophie fought the unease his stare stirred in her.“I think you heard me perfectly well, Mr. Pierce.”He stepped forward, blocking her path. His expression was thunderous.She looked up at him.“What? Did I offend your precious friend? Are you going to make me apologize to her?”His eyes darkened. Before he could speak, Savannah cut in.“You don’t have to like me, Ms. Young. But Adrian

A cool voice broke the silence.“You’re awake?”Sophie looked up and met Lucas’s dark eyes.“How long was I asleep? Have you been here the whole time?”He was working at a nearby table. She had no idea how long he’d been sitting there.He packed up his things and stood.“What do you feel like for dinner?”Sophie got out of bed. It had been ages since she’d slept so long or so soundly. She felt refreshed, and she was surprisingly hungry.“Barbecue?” Lucas asked.“I want barbecue!”They spoke almost at the same time.She laughed.“I can’t believe you remember.”When they’d lived abroad, she’d gone to extraordinary lengths to find proper American barbecue.Eventually, Lucas had arranged for sauces, spice rubs, and other essentials to be flown in from home regularly. For a while, everyone at the interpreting service who missed a taste of home had practically worshipped him.His assistant had already left, so Lucas drove them to a mall himself.It was the dinner rush. While

Adrian’s phone rang. Even with his anger barely under control, he answered immediately.Savannah’s weak voice came through.“Adrian! Where are you? I’m scared. I dreamed about that man again.”His voice softened at once.“Don’t be afraid. I’ll be right there.”Sophie felt every last bit of strength drain out of her.She’d thought they could at least divorce amicably. She hadn’t expected him to fight her this hard.She didn’t understand. If he didn’t love her, why wouldn’t he let her go?In the end, she even appealed to his guilt over her hearing.“Adrian, if you really want to make it up to me, let me go. Please.”He’d already pulled on his jacket and reached the front door.“Stop this, Sophie. I’m responsible for you. That’s exactly why I won’t divorce you. How would you get by without me?”The door slammed behind him.He hurried off into the night to be with another woman.Sophie stood alone for a long time.Then she bent down and gathered the scattered documents, one

Adrian didn’t want to make things worse before they arrived and worry his grandparents. He swallowed his anger and started the car.Neither spoke for the entire drive. The tension was suffocating.As they pulled up, the sun broke through the clouds.The Pierce estate stood against the mountainside, wreathed in mist. Its stately grounds conveyed a quiet, understated wealth.Adrian got out first and caught Sophie’s wrist. His grip wasn’t painful, but it left no room for argument.“Let it go for now,” he murmured. “Don’t make my grandparents worry.”She pressed her lips together and let him lead her inside.Marianne came out to greet them, supported by a member of the household staff.At the sight of Adrian, she stopped short. Then she covered her mouth and burst out laughing.At seventy, she was warm and open-minded, without a trace of the intimidating formality Sophie might have expected from someone of her standing.Adrian knew exactly what she was laughing at. He frowned and

Savannah’s eyes lit up.“Adrian, you know me so well! These are all my favorites!”He smiled tenderly and pulled out her chair.She settled into her seat, took a bite, and exclaimed with delight. Then she lifted a spoonful to his lips.“Oh my God, this is delicious. Try it!”A member of the staff spoke up.“Ms. Grant, Mr. Pierce can’t handle spicy food.”Before she could finish, Adrian ate from Savannah’s spoon.His face immediately flushed from the heat, but he forced a smile.“You’re right. It’s good.”Savannah beamed, then glanced at the staff member.“Sorry, what were you saying?”“Nothing.”The woman looked embarrassed.She wasn’t the only one who’d been made to feel foolish.Sophie had always known Adrian to avoid spicy food. Little by little, she’d given up her own preferences to accommodate his.She hadn’t realized he was willing to set those preferences aside for someone else.Laughter and conversation filled the table.Sophie sat off to one side, feeling lik