Chapter 37
At the same time, in Chicago…
Sherry had arranged to meet Julian at her law firm. Outside, the city was cloaked in darkness. It had rained all day, the temperature had dropped, and thick clouds hung low over the skyline, casting a heavy gloom.
Julian arrived impeccably dressed in a dark gray suit, his hair perfectly styled, clean-shaven—every inch the composed, arrogant Young Master Shaw. The strikingly handsome man before her bore no trace of the one who had broken down in tears just yesterday.
“I thought you’d be miserable for a few days,” Sherry remarked dryly. “At least put on a show. But I suppose this works too—the sooner you accept it, the sooner you can move on. It’s for the best.” She pushed the divorce papers across the desk.
Julian picked them up, flipping to the last page. His signature was already there. The date? A month ago—right after he’d returned from a business trip to Switzerland. He vaguely recalled signing a stack of documents that day. Sherry had stood there, calm and smiling, as he signed them all.
“The cooling-off period is over,” Sherry continued. “Once Olivia returns, you can head to the civil affairs bureau and finalize the divorce. It’ll be done.”
She leaned forward slightly. “As for the compensation your mother and Olivia agreed upon… Olivia said if you want to drag this out, she’s happy to play along. Your little mistress has already provided plenty of evidence of your infidelity. You don’t want another charity gala scandal, do you?”
Julian’s grip tightened around the papers, crushing them into a wrinkled mess. His voice, hoarse and raw, barely escaped his throat. “When… when did she find out?”
Sherry didn’t hold back. She laid out every detail—how Olivia had endured his betrayal, how she had sold everything they once shared, including their wedding rings and photos, determined to erase their past.
“She’s made up her mind,” Sherry said firmly. “She won’t look back. If you really feel guilty, sign the papers, give her the compensation. It’s the least you can do after eight years together—to leave her with some dignity.”
Julian bent over, clutching his chest as if the pain was suffocating him. The next moment, he tore the divorce papers to shreds.
“I won’t get a divorce!” His voice shook with desperation. “Who says I don’t love her? I love her! I love her! I love her!”
