Chapter 115 The Taste of Heartache

Chapter 115 The Taste of Heartache
Cora had no idea what had set Julian off. She tried to yank her hand free, but his grip only tightened, iron-hard around her wrist.

“Julian, what the hell is wrong with you? Let go! You’re hurting me!” she shouted.

If this were the Julian she used to know, that plea alone would’ve been enough. But now his eyes were burning with fury—logic gone, reason nowhere in sight.

Because on his phone was a photo.
A photo of Cora locked in Matt’s arms.

So that was it? All her anger toward Matt, all those cold dismissals—an act? Was she running back to him behind his back?

“From today,” Julian said through gritted teeth, voice low and cold enough to cut, “Mrs. Watson is unwell and will remain indoors. No exceptions.”

Cora froze.
Did he just say… house arrest?

Rage ignited in her chest.
Wasn’t this supposed to be a contract marriage? Hadn’t they agreed from the start—once the deal was done, she’d be free to go?
Julian Watson, what the hell do you want from me?

She didn’t say another word, just turned away and sank into the seat beside her.

The ride home was silent. When they arrived, Julian was the first out of the car—slamming the door so hard the sound cracked through the night.

Cora flinched. Her throat tightened, and tears burned at the corners of her eyes. Don’t cry. Don’t you dare cry.

She took a long breath, stepped out, and saw Winny waiting like a startled bird. The staff had all gone stiff with fear.

Once inside, Cora cleaned her face, took a shower, and lay down. She waited—but Julian didn’t come back. Instead, the front door opened and shut again.

She bolted upright, rushing to the window just in time to see Austin’s car pulling away with Julian inside.

“Mr. Watson packed a few things and left,” the butler explained carefully. “He said he won’t be home for a few days. You are to… reflect.”

Cora’s chest ached so hard it felt physical. She turned away, jaw tight.

“Got it,” she said flatly, walking back to her room like a wind-up doll.

Julian, don’t bother coming back.
When this baby’s born, we’re done.

She closed the door behind her. The room felt cavernous—empty in a way that hurt to breathe.

⸻

A week passed. Julian didn’t return.
Cora had gone from restless to numb.

Still, every afternoon, she found herself standing on the balcony, eyes scanning the road below. She didn’t even know what she was hoping to see.

“Mrs. Watson,” Winny said softly one day, “Miss Riley is here to see you.”

Riley? Cora’s eyes lit up. “Please, bring her in.”

Riley swept in and stopped short. “What on earth happened to you? You look terrible. Don’t tell me… you’ve fallen for Julian?”

Cora’s reaction was instant—defensive. “What? No! Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Good,” Riley cut in sharply.

Cora blinked. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You haven’t been online, have you?” Riley asked.

Cora shook her head. She hadn’t had the strength.

Riley handed her a phone. “Then you’d better see this. I didn’t want you finding out alone.”

The screen glowed with a local news headline.

Julian Watson.
And beside him—Dina.

The article went on about how they’d been seen entering and leaving the same hotel for days.

The blood drained from Cora’s face. Her fingers went cold, her chest tight.

“Cora?” Riley’s voice was cautious now. “Say something.”

Cora forced her lips into a curve that barely qualified as a smile. It looked like breaking glass. “I’m fine.”

She turned to the window. Outside, the wind had shifted—the trees were gold now, their leaves spinning in the autumn air.

“So it’s autumn already,” she murmured.

Riley didn’t answer. She simply stood beside her, both of them watching the leaves fall.

Cora’s expression settled, piece by piece, back into composure. Inside, she was gathering up the fragments of her heart, one splinter at a time.

Julian and Dina… of course.
They had loved each other before. It was only because of her—this ridiculous arrangement—that they’d split at all.

She’d even tried to push them back together once, hadn’t she?

Funny how the same thing that made her smile before now cut her like glass.

“Cora,” Riley said softly, “Dina never had that illness. Her medical records were forged. The doctor who signed off—he’s a friend of mine. He only handles test results. He told me the paperwork was fake.”

Cora’s head snapped up. “What?”

“Dina lied to you,” Riley said, voice hard. “You’re Julian’s legal wife. Dina has no right to stand beside him. If you want, I’ll take you to her right now. I know where she’s staying.”

Cora shook her head.

“Cora…” Riley’s voice wavered.

“It doesn’t matter,” Cora said quietly. “Everything that happens around Julian—he allows it. If Dina’s there, it’s because he wants her there. My opinion doesn’t matter. None of this does.”

She looked down at her stomach, her hand resting over the small curve. “The baby’s four months now. Five more, and it’ll all be over.”

Riley’s chest tightened. “You’re really going to walk away?”

Cora gave a thin, crooked smile. “Does it even matter if I want to or not? The ending’s the same either way. Better to let go now—while I still can.”

Riley stared at her for a long moment. “You’ve really made up your mind, haven’t you?”