Chapter 11

Trina would never return for the rest of her life. Those words hit Julian like a hammer. His vision went dark for a second, and his knees almost gave out. He shoved past the men who were still buzzing about pursuing Trina and stormed into the townhouse like a lion pushed past its limit. The living room was stripped clean. Everything that belonged to Trina had been cleared out. The stark emptiness made Julian's chest tighten. Only the coffee table held the gifts he had given her, arranged neatly—jewelry, gowns, and expensive trinkets. On top of the pile lay a folded note. Julian's fingers trembled so faintly that he hardly noticed it as he picked up the letter and opened it. The handwriting was unmistakably Trina's, bold and defiant. It was only a few lines, but each word cut into his heart like a cold blade. "I gave you back your things. My man doesn't get to love another woman. You are not qualified." Each word landed like a slap across his face, burning hot. He could practi