Chapter 24
He admitted it. He admitted that he had been fully a
swire of what was happening.
[So you let vera sell the old mansion at a price below market value!] Courtney’s entire body trembled as she typed. [Austin, I’m giving you a chance -buy that house back for me.]
[I don’t care how you do it, but don’t push me. I don’t want this to escalate to the point where we face each other in court. She typed quickly, and each word she typed felt like it was bleeding from her heart.
Austin clenched his fists tightly, staring at Courney in shock. “Courtney, how did you turn into this? Am I really less important to you than that house, than money?”
Courtney couldn’t help but flash a bitter smile, her gaze filled with a mixture of exhaustion and disdain. Austin was like a stranger to her now.
[I want the house] Courney ryped again, her message unwavering
“Tine!” Austin snapped. “Give me some time. I’ll negotiate for it”
He opened the car door, gesturing for her to get in. But Courtney turned away, refusing to get in his car,
However, Austin quickly grabbed her wrist, “Courney! Can you just listen to me for once?”
Taking a deep breath, Courtney relented and got into the back seat. She refused to sit in the front
at passenger s
SPAL
The “Wife’s Seat” sticker Vera had deliberately placed there was a clear provocation, a blatant reminder of her presence
Austin froze in place for a moment, his eyes landing on the sticker. His frustration boiled over as he frantically tried to peel it off.
But even after it was removed, the mark remained. Just like their relationship–a scar that couldn’t be erased.
building.
“Courtney, c can we ever go back to the way we were? Austin asked softly as the car came to a stop outside her apartment
Courtney found the question laughable. He had remarried, had a child–there was no way they could go back together.
She got out of the car and walked upstates without a word Austin followed close behind, trailing her like a shadow.
“Ms. Edwards? This is a delivery from Mr. Reed. He ordered some fruit and meals for you–he was worried you might not be eating properly. As Courtney reached the door, she was stunned to see three or four delivery couriers waiting for her.
Courney froze, staring in disbelief. There were workers carrying bags of fruit, daily necessities, freshly washed bedding sets, and even high–end clothing delivered straight from a boutique.
She looked at the items, all of which were expensive. She thought to herself that Hayden was truly crazy.
He was just an ordinary police officer who had risked his life working undercover for meager bonuses, yet he spent so much money on her.
Courtney gestured nervously, asking the workers, “Can I return this?”
But they didn’t understand her sign language and simply smiled as they carried everything into her apartment.
Austin stood behind her, his face dark and tense.
“Who is it” Austin asked in a low voice after the delivery workers left. Tm asking you, who sent you these
Courtney didn’t respond.
“Courtney!” Austin’s frustration flared.
[A friend | Courtney typed.
“A friend! “That guy?” Austin grabbed her wrist, oblivious to how much it
it hurt her.
“Courtney! Do you have any idea how expensive these clothes are? And the fact that they’re delivered! That’s a service reserved for high–end VIPs of this brand,” he said.
“What kind of friend is so attentive to you? And how come I never knew you had such wealthy connections in Henisburg? Austin questioned her. His tone grew accusatory, as if he’d already decided she was the kind of woman who sold her body.
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Chapter 24
Courtney’s breathing quickened as she yanked her hand free, glaring at him with caution..
Austin rubbed his temples, realizing how often he’d been losing control around Courtney lately. But he convinced himself that it was because he cared about her.
“Courtney… I’m sorry, he apologized again.
To Courtney, the man standing before her felt frighteningly unfamiliar.
“Courtney, return these clothes, and Til take you shopping instead, okay? Whatever you want. I’ll get it for you. Don’t take things from others–they only approach you with ulterior motives, he said.
I’m the one who truly loves you. I cherish you so much that I couldn’t even bring myself to touch you… Austin’s voice trembled, raw and hoarse.
He inily had cherished her once. He’d thought saving intimacy for marriage was the right way to honor her. But then, after they got married, the left to join the peacekeeping medical team.
Courtney recoiled, forcefully pushing Austin away.
To Austin, it felt like she was trying to escape him, to distance herself. His emotions spiraled out of control, and he grabbed her by the head. pressing his lips to hers “Courtney, you’re mine. You’re my wife. Why-
Courtney lost control and slapped him, her breathing uneven.
Austin’s eyes turned red as he yanked her arm, forcing her down onto the sofa. “Courtney, you’re my wife! Why do you let others touch you but reject me like this?”
He reached for her clothes, his actions driven by a twisted need to
Ito vent his emotions.
Courtney’s entire body shook as she struggled desperately, tears streaming down her face. This wasn’t the Austin she once knew. This man before her was utterly terrifying
“Don’t touch me..” Courtney sobbed through sign language.
But Austin seemed like he’d lost his mind, “Courtsey, I don’t believe what they say about you. You haven’t let anyone else touch you, right? You’re still my Courtney, aren’t you? Please, give yourself to me.
He begged her as if believing that sleeping with her once would reveal the truth–whether she had been touched by another man
If she had
hadn’t, then this time would be her first.
SEND GIFT
