Chapter 8 Days slipped by, and at last the divorce papers were finalized. Sloane collected the certificate from the clerk's office. Staring at the words "Marriage Dissolved," she felt a strange, quiet calm. Back at the estate, she began packing her belongings for the final time. As she sorted through the rooms, it struck her how little in this house truly belonged to her. Her closet was mostly filled with simple, practical clothes worn for caring for him. Her dressing table held few expensive cosmetics or pieces of jewelry, but was instead covered with medical kits, sticky notes detailing his preferences and needs, and special tools for his episodes... Every trace of her life here revolved around him. One by one, she folded things away, memories washing over her with each item. His rejection when she first arrived, the joy when he finally let her close, the fear during his relapses, the growing cruelty once Lena appeared... At the end, she slid off the wedding ring he had never cared about. The cold band was the last remnant of five wasted years. She placed the ring, the divorce papers, the notes, everything tied to him into a box. Carrying it, she stepped into Julian's study. She set it quietly on his desk, but a voice like a whip cracked behind her. "What are you doing in here? I told you never to come into my study! Get out!" She turned to find Julian standing at the doorway, his face dark with fury. "I was just returning something. I'll leave it here and go-" "Anything you touch disgusts me!" His eyes burned with hatred as he pointed at the door. "Get out. Don't ever come in here again. Understood?" Looking at him, trembling with anger just from her presence, Sloane felt the last ripple in her heart settle into stillness. She lowered her head and said softly, "I'm sorry. It won't happen again." And she meant it. She would never cross that threshold again. She would never intrude on his life again. Turning, she left quietly. Just outside, a maid came rushing up. "Sir! It's Miss Grant! She's had a fall in the garden! She seems to have Chapter 8 5.26% twisted her ankle-she's in terrible pain!" Julian's face transformed instantly. Without even a glance at Sloane, he snapped at the maid, "Have this study disinfected and cleaned from top to bottom. Immediately!" Then he strode off rapidly toward the garden, his figure soon disappearing from view. Sloane stood in the empty hall, watching him run without hesitation into another woman's arms, watching him scoop Lena up and carry her into the car. Soon, the vehicle disappeared from sight. She remained there for a long, long time. Then she went back to the guest room, lifted the small suitcase she had packed days ago, and took one last look around the house she had lived in for more than a decade, a place that had never once felt like hers. Without hesitation, she turned and walked out. Beyond the door, the sun was shining bright. Chapter 8 5.26% Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!