No Divorce? The Billionaire's Love Chase! novel Chapter 176

York tapped out another cigarette. "I claimed Ann's son and left it at that for a reason. The less my grandfather knows, the safer they are. I won't give him another target."

"Why is your grandfather so fixated on Ann?" Peter asked.

"Because she was my first love, the woman I wanted to marry. In my grandfather's eyes, she's a stumbling block in my life. He can't tolerate her existence; he's always wanted to 'deal with' her."

Peter shot to his feet. "That's no excuse to hurt Claudia!"

York looked down. "I never meant to hurt her. I just want to live a good life with her."

Peter's eyes widened in disbelief. "For Ann, you pretend to be her child's father. For them, you hurt Claudia so badly you even broke her brother's wrist. When Claudia finally gave you what you wanted and asked for a divorce, you used your power to ruin her entire family until they had no way out, forcing her back to your side. And that's not even the end of it! You still expect her to tolerate you keeping a mistress and a son on the side. If I were Claudia, I'd want to kill your whole family."

York kept his eyes downcast, hiding his emotions. After a long, heavy silence, he stood up to leave.

As he reached the door, York said to Peter, "I don't want her to keep going on like this, and I don't want her mind filled with wild thoughts every day. If you have time, see if you can get through to her. She might listen to you."

With that, York turned and left.

Peter stomped his foot in fury. "I'll talk to her, alright! I'll advise her to slip some slow-acting poison in your drink and be done with you!"

When York got home, the apartment was pitch black except for the motion-activated light at the entrance. His already grim face darkened further. She hadn't waited up for him. She hadn't even left a light on.

He sat up, his arm still around her waist, keeping her in bed. "Why didn't you leave a light on for me last night?"

Claudia lowered her eyes. "I'll be more careful next time. I'll try not to make such a basic mistake again."

She had been in Caledon for half a year. He had Ann to keep him company; he hadn't needed her to leave a light on for a long time. This demand was just another way of reminding her of her place, of the terms of their agreement, of his intention to mold her into the Mrs. Ferguson he wanted.

Her words were stiff and deliberately remote. There was no warmth in her tone.

York's expression slowly turned cold. "Since you're so aware of your duties," he said flatly, "why don't you recite that marital agreement again."