THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 55

Julian's final words rang with a clear warning.

Given how deeply Caitlin loved him, she must be terrified right now, right?

If not even friendship remained between them, then they'd be nothing more than strangers from here on out.

Would Caitlin really be willing to let things end like that? To see him as just another face in the crowd?

Of course not.

He only needed to count down from three, and she'd crumble. She'd drop to her knees, sobbing, begging him for forgiveness, then rush over to apologize to Sophie, tears streaming down her face.

The thought made Julian smug.

He couldn't deny that Caitlin's behavior toward him lately was off-putting, but she was still breathtakingly beautiful. When she knelt before him and begged for forgiveness, every man in the café would envy him.

After all, they could only dream of having the goddess at their feet, pleading for his mercy and his affection.

The more he imagined it, the more satisfied he felt.

"Julian, if you're that mentally unstable, you should check yourself into a hospital. I don't treat delusional disorders," Caitlin's voice cut through his fantasy, cold and sharp, each word clipped and icy. "Move."

She told him to move?

Julian froze, caught off guard by her reaction.

What was she doing? Was this just another one of her games? Playing hard to get, trying to reel him in? Ridiculous.

"Move?" Julian gave a scornful laugh, pointing at Caitlin. "And what if I don't? Caitlin, I'm warning you for the last time—if you don't go and apologize to Sophie, I swear I'll never give you the time of day again!"

"Oh, you're not moving?" Caitlin arched an eyebrow, her expression calm and almost bored. "Well, don't say I didn't warn you."

Julian sneered at her—she was putting on a show, as if she could actually do anything to him. She loved him so much, after all! What was she going to do, hit him? The idea was laughable.

But Caitlin didn't waste time arguing. She simply reached out, grabbed Julian's finger, and bent it back in one quick motion.

She hardly seemed to use any strength, but pain shot through him, twisting his face in agony.

Crack.

The sound of bone snapping echoed in the air.

"Ah!" Julian howled in pain.

The agony was white-hot and all-consuming, making him feel as if his finger might actually tear off.

Caitlin had really done it—she'd actually hurt him!

He thought he understood now.

Caitlin must be putting on a show for Victor's sake. After all, she was working as a corporate spy at Apex Game Studios for him—she wouldn't want Victor to discover their real relationship.

Yes, that had to be it.

Just wait. Soon she'd be passing him Apex's confidential business reports to win back his favor. This thought soothed his wounded pride a little.

"Julian, are you okay? Does your hand hurt? Are you hungry?" Sophie finally snapped out of her daze and hurried over, her face full of concern.

"I'm fine," Julian muttered, taking a deep breath and pressing gingerly on his swollen left hand.

"What's gotten into Caitlin?" Sophie pressed, her voice tinged with outrage. "Sure, maybe she wants to get your attention, play hard to get, but isn't this a little much?" She put special emphasis on the words "playing hard to get."

Sophie was thoroughly disgusted by Caitlin. She was shameless—a manipulative schemer.

Julian was divorced from Caitlin now; he was with her. What did Caitlin think she was doing? This was pathetic. She was nothing but a homewrecker—a joyless, desperate woman trying to ruin someone else's happiness.

Julian was hers, and always would be. Caitlin could dream on if she thought she could take him back.

A cold, vicious glint flashed in Sophie's eyes.

Julian, though, was positively relishing the attention from both women. He wrapped an arm around Sophie's shoulders and smiled. "Caitlin's just a clown to me. You're the only one I care about. I'm sorry you had to go through this today. Give me a little time, and I promise—I'll make Caitlin apologize to you in person."