Chapter 9: The Ultimatum

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Derek’s arm on the steering wheel, veins standing out.

He gripped the wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white. I wondered if he was angry, or just remembering the past.

He sneered: "What’s the use of fate? An ordinary guy who can’t even protect you, letting someone like Carter harass you at will."

The words were cruel, but they stung because they held a grain of truth. I bit my lip, refusing to let him see how much it hurt.

"Aubrey, divorce him immediately. Don’t make another mistake."

I was stunned. Divorce?

The car swerved just enough to make my stomach drop. I turned to him, my voice shaking: “Who the hell are you to say that?”

Derek stared at me and repeated: "Divorce. He’s just a useless man, not worthy of you."

Who was he calling useless?

I glared at him.

I wanted to shout, to defend Lucas, to say that love wasn’t about money or power. But my words caught in my throat.

Derek lowered his eyes, a trace of pride in his voice: "After you divorce... I..."

His voice faltered. For the first time in a long while, he seemed almost vulnerable. My heart skipped, then ached.

My phone vibrated, interrupting him.

The spell broke. I fumbled for my phone, grateful for the distraction.

Only then did I remember I hadn’t called Lucas back.

His name flashed on the screen, reminding me of the life I’d chosen—the life Derek wanted me to leave behind.

Just as my finger touched the screen, my wrist was grabbed hard.

Derek’s gaze landed on the caller ID, his eyes trembling violently: "Lucas? How do you have his number?"

He sounded shocked, almost panicked. I pulled my hand away, confused.

I was puzzled: "He’s my husband, of course I have—"

I trailed off, the car filling with a new, uneasy silence. Outside, the city lights blurred past, but inside the car, it felt like time had stopped—like we were both holding our breath, waiting for the next move.