No Divorce? The Billionaire's Love Chase! novel Chapter 279

After Mark left, York remained on the balcony, smoking for a long time.

The woman who hit Ann wasn't Claudia's colleague. He had misjudged her.

And yet, she hadn't offered a single word of defense.

The image of Claudia's wounded, reddened eyes flashed in his mind, and a heavy, suffocating feeling settled in his chest.

Deep into the night, he found himself pacing outside the bedroom door, but he couldn't bring himself to open it.

Claudia woke up at her usual time, washed up, and got dressed. As she casually opened the door, she was startled to find York standing right there.

"You scared me," she said, pressing a hand to her chest. "Standing here silently first thing in the morning. Are you having an episode?"

York's gaze was fixed on her. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into an embrace.

The sudden hug put Claudia on high alert, and she struggled in his arms.

"I was wrong about you last night," he murmured. "Why didn't you explain?"

Claudia pushed him away with all her strength. "If you hadn't already believed Ann's story, you wouldn't have started by accusing me."

They stared at each other, and York felt a sharp pang in his chest. He took a step forward to take her hand, but she stepped back, avoiding his touch.

"York, you don't need to pretend anymore," she said. "I'm not in love with you anymore. You can't hurt me. Your hugs, your apologies—they're all meaningless to me now."

The finality and distance in her eyes were so stark that a sudden pain seized York's heart. He lunged forward, gripping her by the shoulders.

Every word she spoke was a dagger plunging into York's heart, making it hard for him to breathe. His eyes turned red as he shook his head desperately.

"Claudia, it's not like that," he mumbled. It was the only thing he could say.

Claudia tilted her head back slightly, forcing back the tears that threatened to fall. "York, we're both adults. You've done what you should and what you shouldn't. You've said what you should and what you shouldn't."

"I have accepted all the pain you've given me, and I've endured all the grievances," she said. "I'm begging you, can you please just stop disgusting me?"

With that, she pushed past York and left the bedroom.

Her push wasn't particularly strong, yet it sent York staggering. Watching her resolute back as she walked away, he felt as if his heart had been brutally ripped open, the pain so intense he could barely breathe.