Chapter 98 Terms He Couldn’t Accept
Chapter 98 Terms He Couldn’t Accept
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Even if Anneliese hadn’t named such a condition, Zacharias would have ended up facing it
anyway.
The relief that had just softened his face tightened in an instant, his alluring eyes clouding with a chilling coldness. This wasn’t the first time she had asked firmly for a divorce. In fact, it was the third.
He remembered well.
The first time she presented the divorce papers was the day after she learned the truth at his company. He hadn’t taken it seriously then, thinking she was just being emotional, and he tore the papers up in anger.
The second time had been at the small restaurant. Though he had felt uneasy, he still hadn’t believed she truly meant to end things. But now Zacharias understood, with absolute clarity, that she wasn’t bluffing. She wanted out–for real.
The realization made his chest tighten, his breathing heavy and uneven, fury and panic warring inside him.
His gaze hardened. “Impossible. I won’t agree to that, and I won’t sign.”
“You won’t sign the divorce papers, but you want to force me to sign this settlement? Zacharias, you’re the biggest hypocrite I’ve ever seen.”
“It’s not the same thing!” he snapped.
The settlement, signed or not, would hardly change the outcome–signing it only sped up the process. But the divorce papers? That would end their marriage.
And that, he could never allow.
Anneliese hadn’t expected him to refuse even now. However, she didn’t believe it was love or attachment holding him back. It was his obsession with his carefully crafted image—the devoted husband, the responsible businessman. That was all he couldn’t let go of.
“Anne, I know I’ve hurt you, but none of it was what I wanted. Please, honey, give me some time to heal you, to make it right, to change your mind. Don’t give up on us so easily.” His hands clasped hers, eyes full of contrition and pleading.
But she felt no warmth from his touch. She was grateful she had already seen through his cold selfishness. She had awakened at last.
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Chapter 98 Terms He Couldn’t Accept
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Bit by bit, she pulled her hand free. “Fine. I’ll give you another option.”
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Hope flickered in his eyes once again. “Tell me, Anne. Whatever it is this time, I’ll do it.” His urgency bled through every word.
She only thought how foolishly early he was celebrating. Meeting his gaze, she nodded. “Be my witness. Testify against Selina White. Tell the court that four years ago, those thugs acted under her orders to deliberately hurt me and force a retrial.”
The faint smile on Zacharias‘ lips drained away, piece by piece.
Her eyes shone with a clear, steady light as she held his gaze. “What’s wrong? Can’t do it?”
His handsome face twisted, brows drawn tight, but no words came.
Seeing him struggle, she felt no pain anymore–only bitter irony. Does he really think this waffling, this pathetic attempt to keep everyone happy, makes him noble?
“Is it really that hard? Zacharias Shaw, I’m your wife. Shouldn’t you stand with me?” She stared him down, unflinching.
He couldn’t bear that clear, stubborn gaze. His breathing grew uneven.
Anneliese tugged at his tie, winding it around her finger, her lips curling coldly. “You testify for me, and I’ll sign the settlement. I’ll personally bring your mother out, and I’ll even forgive you for lying to me back then. I won’t bring up divorce again. How about that?”
She hadn’t smiled at him like this in a long time. The sweet scent of her, like fresh pears, filled his lungs and muddled his thoughts. It hooked him, softened him, made him ache with longing.
He realized just how long it had been since they last kissed, since they last held each other. He missed her desperately.
His throat bobbed, and he instinctively leaned in, reaching for her lips.
But Anneliese yanked his tie hard, leaning back to put distance between them. Her face went cold. “You haven’t answered me. This is your one chance.”
“Cough–let go!” Zacharias‘ breath hitched, for a moment, truly thinking she meant to strangle him. But she released him, only fixing him with that icy stare.
He steadied his breathing, thoughts churning. He knew she wouldn’t be easy to placate this time, yet all he could think was that she must just be jealous of Selina.
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Chapter 99 The Truth at the Window
