Chapter 212

Julian

Life went on. Only it wasn't a life that I wanted to live because she wasn't in it. I knew she was ok because Ian gave me daily updates but it wasn't the same as having her here in my home.

I missed waking up and seeing her beautiful face first thing in the morning and it didn't matter where I looked there were memories of her everywhere

The boys went back to school. Boarding like they had done before she woke up. So I only saw them on alternative weekends.

It was pure and utter hell. I was in limbo.

And I had no way of getting out of it because she refused to see me.

"Did you know about this?" I flattened the legal documents under my hand and lifted my head to stare at Ian.

He glanced down once. "Yes." He said simply. "You did as well. She told you , she wanted a divorce."

She had told me that but part of me hadn't believed her. I'd given her eight weeks of space and had thought with my entire heart that she would come around enough to at least listen to me.

Only she didn't and even if she had , what was I going to say? That Megan was nothing but a friend. She was nothing but a friend but Cassie wouldn't believe that. Hell the whole kingdom didn't believe that. They all thought she was my mistress. Old stories resurfaced and my name was said with disdain again.

I was the king who publicly humiliated his wife and the mother of his children.

Everyone loved Cassie and everyone hated me and Megan. Which was just how it had to be I realised. I deserved nothing less.

"Well I don't want that." Ripping the pages in two I let them fall around me like confetti. "I refuse."

"I don't think that's going to make a difference." Ian fell into the chair opposite mine. The wide wooden desk between us.  "You're seperated."

My eyes darted to his. It was the way he said it. Something in his tone that sent the alarm bells ringing. "Is she seeing someone else already?"

"Julian." He rolled his eyes. "I told you before that I would watch her and report back on her safety but I made it clear that I would not spy on her. You are separated and if she wanted to start seeing someone else then that's up to her. You really don't have a say in that after this whole Megan debacle."

I knew I had no right to be jealous. I knew it but I couldn't help myself. The idea of her spending time with another man made me feel sick in my stomach.

"Megan is just-"

How many times did I have to keep saying it?

"But you kept your relationship with her a secret. From me, from your wife. You can sit there and look heartbroken all you want Julian." He said firmly and I had never heard him sound like before.  "But you are the reason your family is broken up."

I was on my feet in a second. My hands balled into fists at my side. "How dare you-"

Ian looked bored. "How dare I? How dare you Julian." He snapped straight back. "How many years did you wait for her to wake up. Years of searching for anything that would make her open your eyes because you realised too late what she meant to you. And then she woke up and you fucked around again. You messed up and honestly I'm pleased Cassie found the balls to leave you."

"I love her."

Lifting his chin he met my eyes. "I know you do. And she loves you but -"

With a groan I fell back into my seat and let my head fall into my hands. "How do I make this right?"

Ian shook his head. "I don't think you can Julian. I think it's past that."

"So she is seeing someone else?" I couldn't believe I was even saying the words out loud.

"I don't know. She has friends and she has gone back to work but I don't pry into her social life because it's none of my business."

He wasn't telling me the truth. Not the whole truth anyway. Whether that was because he was trying to spare my feelings or he was protecting her I didn't know but I'd heard enough.

I had messed up but not in the way Cassie and everyone else thought. I hadn't done that! And yet my wife thought I was ok to start to date other men when she was still my wife.

"Julian." Ian warned as I strode around the desk and headed towards the front door. Grabbing up my car keys on the way.

"Don't do anything stupid."

Throwing my head back I laughed. "Oh I won't but neither will I let another man have her. I am her husband. Any man that forgets that will die."

"She's going to hate you-"

"I don't care anymore." I said and that was the truth.  "I would rather her hate me and be in my life forever then divorce her and watch her be happy with someone else."

Ian rushed after me. "What are you going to do?"

I shrugged. "I don't know but I won't divorce her and it's time she realises that."

"She'll be in work."

"Then I'll find her there or wait for her." Turning to Ian I frowned. "Can you pick the boys up from school and bring fhem-"

It was Cassie's weekend not mine.

"Yeah I'll take them for ice cream before I bring them back. Make the most of the few hours, Julian. Don't waste them by arguing. Make her see how you feel."

I stared at him. "Any ideas on how I can do that?" I said because I didn't have a plan. All I knew was that I wanted her back and I couldn't live without her a moment longer. Cassie needed to stop this foolishness and come home where she belonged.

With a shrug Ian laughed. "Absolutely none."