Chapter 9

Sebastian and Xavier looked like mirror images of each other in the hospital room, right down to their matching icy glares. Julia's chest tightened. Even after everything, the thought of divorce still sent a heavy, aching throb through her heart. Her silence was all the confirmation Sebastian needed. She and that man in the photos were tangled up in something ugly. "I said, speak up! Who is he? What are you to each other? Was a coffee date really worth ghosting me and leaving Xav behind?" Sebastian clenched his fists, fury burning so hot the veins stood stark against his skin. He'd been desperate to reach her, only to be met with dead air. Then, out of nowhere, an anonymous package arrived, filled with photos of Julia "flirting" with another man. The moment he thought she'd betrayed him, rage hit him like a white-hot flash. The sheer nerve of it choked him. The photos showed Julia and the stranger sitting way too close—their heads nearly touching as he tapped her forehead with his finger. Julia's eyes had a look of pure helplessness, like she'd just given up trying to stop him. Seeing how close they were, Sebastian couldn't believe nothing was going on between them. "You always have an answer for everything, didn't you? So tell me—who is he? And how long has this been going?" He moved in on Julia, his voice a cold threat, his expression terrifying. Xavier lay in the hospital bed, his heart already weighed down with hurt. His face crumpled when he saw how furious Sebastian looked, and he sobbed. He'd never seen Sebastian look so terrifying before. Even at his angriest, Sebastian had only ever turned icy and distant. Julia's chest tightened under a heavy, suffocating weight. She drew a sharp breath, fighting back the tears stinging her eyes. So, in Sebastian's mind, just meeting another man meant she was cheating? Then what did he call all those times he'd been with Penelope, even bringing her into their home like it was nothing? She wanted to throw the question back at him, but her throat clenched, rough and dry, trapping the words inside. Sebastian's expression hardened as he closed the distance between him and Julia. They stared each other down like two people who'd been enemies for years. "Xav, are you alright? Where'd you get hurt?" Penelope flung the door open just as Sebastian and Julia stood toe-to-toe. Julia's jaw tightened, holding her ground. Neither of them backed down. Xavier had been sniffling quietly, but his cries turned into full, shuddering wails when he saw Penelope. "Aunt Penny, I'm scared…" Penelope shot Julia a quick look, her mouth flickering into a smirk before she smoothed her expression into one of concern and leaned down to hug Xavier in the hospital bed. Deep down, she was gloating. Sebastian would definitely divorce Julia since she had "cheated". Still, Penelope put on a show of sympathy. "Mr. Holt, whatever Jules did, I'm sure she had her reasons. You two shouldn't fight in front of Xav. It'll only frighten him." She made it sound like she had Julia's back, no matter what, like even cheating could be forgiven. Julia wasn't fooled, though—the venom in Penelope's voice was unmistakable. "Cut the act, Penelope. You know exactly what's going on!" Julia snapped. She could easily tell Penelope had someone take those photos, but she never imagined just how badly Penelope wanted her gone. "Jules, I don't know what you mean," Penelope said, looking at Sebastian with confusion. Julia wasn't in the mood for games. She couldn't care less. "Fine, you win," she shot back, making up her mind to let Sebastian and Xavier go without a fight. Julia closed her eyes. Telling Sebastian the truth this early hadn't been part of the plan, but things had come to this. "Sebastian, you want to know who he is, don't you? Fine. He's my divorce lawyer." Surprise broke through Sebastian's icy expression, as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. Divorce? Was she actually serious? "The divorce agreement will be ready soon. Just sign them, and we're done," Julia added. Without waiting for a response, she turned and headed for the door. Her eyes met Penelope's, alight with triumph. The moment she was gone, Sebastian's composure shattered. Divorce? Julia had actually said that? That was insane! He'd braced himself for every possible outcome except divorce. The thought of letting her go never even occurred to him, not even when jealousy clawed at his ribs when he saw those photos of her getting so close to another man. "Mr. Holt, are you okay?" Penelope asked, holding back a rush of giddy excitement. Everything had gone exactly as she'd planned—Julia was finally the one asking for a divorce. Penelope had always assumed Julia's pride was bulletproof, that she'd never give up the "Mrs. Holt" title. Yet, here they were. Putting on her best worried tone, Penelope said, "This is so out of nowhere. Why would Jules walk away from you, Mr. Holt? You're such a catch…" Then, as if catching herself, she flushed with fake bashfulness. Keeping a close eye on Sebastian's reaction, she asked tentatively, "Mr. Holt, what are you going to do if Jules is actually asking for a divorce?" "Divorce? She's not getting one," Sebastian said before pausing. "She's just lashing out." Obviously, he didn't take Julia's talk about divorce seriously. Penelope felt a quiet pang of disappointment. So it wasn't Julia who was against the divorce—it was Sebastian? "Speaking of which, why are you here right now during office hours?" Sebastian questioned. Penelope's face flickered with unease. "Well, I—" Xavier, who was in her arms, held onto her neck as he chirped, "Nobody spends time with me, so I asked Aunt Penny to come over." Sebastian's eyes narrowed slightly, but he stayed quiet. … Soon, night had fallen. Haley's voice curled through the phone in Julia's bedroom, warm and persuasive. "Just book a flight for tomorrow and come straight home, Lia. Ten more days is way too long. I miss you so much, you heartless jerk." Julia's eyes stung as Haley's words brought back memories of how she'd pushed away the people who mattered most. Right then, she promised Haley she'd make things right once she got back, as a way to apologize for all the years they'd lost. After a few more heartfelt words, their conversation shifted to work. "But seriously, Julia, welcome back! The illustration world's about to lose its mind over your return!" Haley couldn't hide her excitement. She knew better than anyone just how talented Julia was. Julia had shot to fame as a teen after her debut piece won first place at the 24th Global Illustration Awards. Every new release after that topped the last, until she suddenly disappeared seven years ago. Julia managed a faint smile. "Haley, about this comeback, I think I should stay behind the scenes for now." Her hand drifted to her stomach, but she didn't mention the pregnancy. She'd tell Haley face-to-face when they met. This child would be hers alone. "Come on, that's such a waste of your talent!" Haley just didn't get it. In her eyes, Julia was meant to be a rising star, shining brighter than ever. Suddenly, the bedroom door swung open violently, and Sebastian charged inside. A rush of cold air swept in as he made a beeline for Julia. His face was tight with anger as he slammed the divorce agreement down in front of her. "What the hell is this, Julia? You're walking away empty-handed?" Sebastian scoffed, his voice icy. "And leaving Xavier, too?"