27 Calls 2 Wristbands 1 Empty Anniversary Chapter 07
His grip on my wrist tightened.
I yanked free. Pain shot through my arm.
“If there’s nothing else, I’m going to bed. Sign the papers soon.”
Julian wrapped his arms around me from behind. His voice was rough.
“I don’t want a divorce.”
It was shaking. I could hear it.
“I take care of Maddie because we grew up together. That’s all. Don’t read into it.”
I didn’t understand him.
He’d never been that invested in me.
From where I stood, Maddie mattered way more to him than I ever did.
And now he was refusing the divorce.
But my mind was made up.
I struggled against his hold.
“I don’t care about you and Maddie. Let go of me!”
His arms only tightened. He pressed his whole body against mine. Buried his face in the curve of my neck. His breathing was ragged. His tailored suit jacket was creased from the force of his grip. His hair was a mess.
This man—always immaculate, always controlled—looked like a drowning man.
“Sophie, I know I messed up.” His voice was muffled against my shoulder. Raw in a way I’d never heard. “Just give me one chance. Please.”
His eyes were rimmed with red.
Seven years I’d known him. First time I’d ever seen that.
The old Sophie would’ve melted on the spot. Fallen right back into his arms.
Now, I just felt something bitter.
“Sophie, let’s have a baby.” His lips brushed my ear. Almost begging. “A baby will fix everything. You won’t overthink anymore. We’ll start fresh. Okay?”
I almost laughed out loud.
So in Julian’s head, a baby would solve all our problems?
And if we actually had one? What then? Watch my child wait by the door every night for a father who never came home? The same way I did?
I would never bring a child into a loveless home.
“Julian, let go of me!”
My hand was halfway to his face when his phone buzzed on the coffee table.
Julian glanced at the screen. Maddie’s name flashed across it. His hold on me loosened. Just slightly.
I wrenched free. Stepped back. Pulled my clothes tight.
A war flickered in Julian’s eyes. The phone. Me.
“Sophie, I—”
The phone kept buzzing.
I held out a hand. Stopping him.
“Don’t come closer.”
“Pick it up. Your precious girl must need something bad, calling this late.”
He hesitated. Then grabbed the phone.
Maddie’s voice came through. Tearful.
“Julian, I think someone followed me from the club. I’m scared.”
His face shifted.
“Lock your apartment door. Deadbolt. I’m on my way.”
He looked at me. Urgent. “Maddie’s in danger. I have to go.”
I nodded. Stepped back even further.
“It’s not safe for a woman alone. Go.”
Julian opened his mouth. Whatever he meant to say got cut off by Maddie’s crying on the other end.
He turned. Soothing her. Out the door. Fast.
When the door clicked shut, I leaned against the wall.
Looked down at my wrist. A red ring where he’d held too tight.
I smiled. Slow.
Then I started packing.