The Broken-hearted She And The Icy He

James drove slowly and steadily, as if a part of him hoped he could keep going forever–just the two of them, heading toward a future that never ended.

But roads end. So do relationships.

Eventually, his car rolled to a stop in front of the main house of the Luke family estate.

“Lily, have you and James had breakfast? If.not, I’ll-”

Blanc hadn’t gone to the office that day.

Grace, Henry, and even Nancy were all sitting in the living room.

When they saw Lily and James walk in together, Grace lit up with joy. She’d always thought they were a perfect match. Just as she was about to have the cook prepare something for them to eat, her eyes caught sight of what James was holding.

A divorce certificate.

“Divorce…”

She didn’t even get the word out before her expression turned cold.

That night at the theater, James had publicly defended Lily. He’d seemed so concerned about her, so protective, they had all assumed–hoped–he was finally falling for her.

They’d been worried he might still go through with the divorce, but deep down, they thought he’d changed.

Apparently not.

Grace clung to one last shred of hope. “James, whose divorce certificate is that? Are you-”

Before she could finish, she grabbed the certificate from James and opened it.

it was,

James and Lily.

were right

really done it.

certificate?” Henry’s

12

the certificate in Grace’s

you lost your mind? Lily’s a gem–what

Even Ivan lost it.

173

one look, and his neck flushed red with fury. “You were so worried about her at the theater! Don’t tell me you don’t care about her–so why the hell would you divorce

“You idiot!”

Blanc snapped.

to divorce you, didn’t you? Always looking

to this stubborn son of

appearances, Blanc kicked off his slippers and began

“Hey-

Nancy–all loved James deeply. But thinking about how he’d stubbornly clung to his “preferences” and ruined any chance of salvaging

place, like the soul had been sucked out of him, accepting every

sound.

didn’t feel

already hurt too much. The physical pain

“Dad, stop hitting him!”

hit. She quickly stepped in, trying

divorce. I… I was the one who