Chapter 156 Talia

Chapter 156 Talia
Talia’s POV

The moment the courthouse doors slowly swung open.

And we stepped outside, a wall of noise crashed over us.

“Mrs. Howard!”

“Mr. Howard!”

“Look this way!”

“One comment, please!”

The courthouse steps exploded with the sound of shouting reporters and endless camera flashes. 

Photographers pushed forward, eager to capture every expression, while security guards struggled to keep the growing crowd from breaking through the barricades.

I drew in a slow, steady breath. This was another hearing.

Another day with my private life displayed for the entire world to watch.

Mrs. Bennett walked quietly beside me, maintaining her usual calm composure. 

Adrian followed just a few steps behind. 

He wasn’t close enough to make me feel crowded, but he stayed near enough that I knew he would step in the second I needed him.

The hearing had left me emotionally exhausted.

Saying that single word “No” inside the courtroom had taken far more strength than I had expected.

Not because I wanted Alexander back, I didn’t.

But because I knew that one simple answer had destroyed the last bit of hope he had been desperately holding onto.

Once upon a time, I had loved him with all my heart.

I had truly believed we would spend the rest of our lives together.

Seeing him completely broken didn’t bring me satisfaction.

It didn’t make me feel victorious.

Instead, it reminded me that sometimes the greatest tragedies aren’t caused by fate.

They’re created by the choices people make.

By the time we reached the bottom of the courthouse steps, the reporters had become even louder.

“Mrs. Howard! Do you believe today’s hearing brings you one step closer to a finalized divorce?”

“Mr. Howard, do you regret asking for an open marriage?”