Chapter 109
(With sobs,) "Som after all the struggle to break free from loving him. I'm not diving back into that pain again. Eddie, it really hurts too," Rosalie said, the tears that had been hidden at the bottom of her eyes finally spilling over. Ever since she had a second chance to start over, she never really faced this topic head-on, but Eden confronted her with the question she had been dodging for days.
That day, at Graham Villa, Julian asked her if her blood was cold. She told him, "It used to be warm, but it's all burnt out now." All the passion and warmth she ever had went to Julian, only to be met with his cold indifference, until she couldn't feel the warmth anymore.
Eden was caught off guard by Rosalie's sudden tears. He had never seen her cry before, and it really shook him. He walked over, clueless about what to say. He just held her shoulders and gently patted her back, whispering, "If it hurts too much, just move on, okay?"
"Yeah, I'll move on. I won't love Julian anymore," she replied.
After that phone call, Julian hadn't sought out Rosalie anymore, but Rosalie occasionally called Julian's lawyer and urged them to file for divorce. Martin, the lawyer, got a headache every time Rosalie's name popped up on his phone. He couldn't fathom why the woman who initiated the divorce suddenly didn't want to go through with it. Martin wondered if she was playing him because she thought he was overpaid.
"Boss, Madam's on the line again," Martin said, massaging his temples, visibly annoyed.
"She's pushing for the divorce papers again?" Julian asked in an icy tone.
"Ignore her."
With that cold directive, Julian pushed open his office door and strode out, a storm brewing in his eyes. Driving from Hawthorne University back to her private apartment, Rosalie got an unexpected call from Edward. After their last unpleasant conversation, Edward hadn't reached out anymore, making this call a surprise. Rosalie raised her eyebrows and answered, "Hi, Dad."
"Rosalie, I heard Julian wants a divorce. Is that true?" Edward's voice was low, feigning concern, but Rosalie picked up on the subtle probing.
Rosalie smirked, thinking of her half-sister who seemed too eager to attach herself to Julian. She mused, Is this a probe for his illegitimate daughter? Thinking once I'm out of the picture, she can shove her into the Calloway family? Too bad, Julian already has his beloved. There's no room for her.
"It's true. Why?" Rosalie asked.
Silence fell on the other end of the line for a few seconds before Edward continued. "Julian's being a real piece of work. Don't worry, Rosalie. You still have me, and I won't let anyone mess with you. If he wants a divorce, just move back home. I'm always on your side."
Edward tried to sound like a doting father, but if not for his cockiness after grabbing Rosalie's shares and subsequently revealing his true colors in her previous life, Rosalie might have actually believed that her father really loved her.