Chapter 76: End this marriage

Words : 1073 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

Chapter 76: End this marriage They stepped into the room, and Augustine settled onto the bed, reclining against the headboard. Anne sat beside him, quietly peeling an apple. She neither spoke nor smiled, her focus entirely on the task at hand. Watching her in silence, Augustine felt a growing unease. It seemed she still hadn’t forgiven him. But this was not the only thing—there were still many things he had kept from her. If she were to discover the truth about his real identity from someone else, the pain and disappointment would cut even deeper. Keeping secrets from her was no longer an option. "You are still upset with me," Augustine murmured cautiously. Anne slowly shook her head. "I was, but you already apologized. How could I stay mad at you?" A quiet sigh of relief escaped Augustine. "Then why are you so quiet? What’s on your mind? Are you still thinking about Gustave’s harsh words? Don’t worry—I’ll make sure he learns his lesson for being rude to you." "No... I’m not upset with him." Anne placed the peeled apple on a plate and handed it to him. Although Gustave’s words had stung, she chose to overlook them, knowing they stemmed from his devotion to Augustine. "He genuinely cares about you," she continued. "He was angry with me, blaming me for your condition, worried that I’d only bring more trouble your way. I could see how much he is devoted to you." Her expression grew even more solemn as she added, "He mentioned your struggles abroad, how you always stayed focused on your goal. But now, with me in your life, he thinks you’ve become distracted. He is afraid that being with me will only lead you into more danger." Augustine gripped the plate tightly, his expression darkening. He was taken aback that Gustave had spoken such demeaning words to Anne. ’He has overstepped this time,’ he thought to himself. ’I need to have a word with him.’ "This isn’t what’s truly troubling me," Anne said, pulling him from his thoughts. "There was something deeper in what he meant." She hadn’t overlooked Gustave’s warning about Augustine being surrounded by enemies. Initially, she had believed his resentment toward his uncle and Denis stemmed from their arrogance and the way they had cast him aside, sending him abroad to struggle alone. But now, it seemed the truth was far worse than she had imagined. Could it be about inheritance? Property disputes among family members often bred hostility. If that was the case, securing his rightful share from the Beaumont family would be anything but easy. With his influence and power, Denis wouldn’t simply hand over what belonged to Augustine. "Are you facing challenges in claiming your inheritance from the Beaumont family?" she asked, unable to hold back her concern. Her question caught Augustine off guard. He hadn’t expected her to bring this up. "What makes you ask that?" he countered. Anne gave a small shrug. "Because I’m worried about you. Denis is arrogant, stubborn, and ruthlessly ambitious." Over the past three years, she had witnessed just how deep Denis’s ambitions ran. She had also experienced firsthand the intimidation he wielded to make others submit. On top of that, she knew well how powerful he was—one of the top three wealthiest men in the country. "I’m afraid he won’t give you what’s rightfully yours. If you push too hard, he might try to crush you. He has the resources to influence anyone and the means to destroy you. In this situation, Gustave’s concerns aren’t entirely unfounded. If Denis sees me as your weakness, he might use me to hurt you." Augustine’s chest tightened at her words, a sinking feeling settling over him. Was she trying to leave him? His voice was tense as he demanded, "Be clear—what are you trying to say?" Anne sighed, her expression filled with sorrow. "Augustine, you’re a good man," she said softly. "The time I’ve spent with you is something I will always cherish. I’ll never forget it. But I can’t be the cause of your suffering. Denis is already furious with you because of me. I don’t want him to use me against you, to manipulate you into doing things you don’t want to. It’s best if we end this marriage here." As she said that, her heart ached. But she pushed that feeling aside and added firmly, "I promise I’ll leave, go far away, and never trouble you again." Before she could finish, Augustine growled in frustration and pulled her into his arms. "Don’t ever think about leaving me," he declared fiercely, holding her tightly as if he feared she would vanish the moment he let go. "I don’t care if Denis is angry," he continued. "His wealth and influence mean nothing to me. What belongs to me is mine, and I’ll claim it no matter what. He can’t stop me." He cupped her face as his gaze bore into hers, filled with raw desperation and anger. "And you...You are my wife. And I, Augustine, never abandon the people I love." He crushed his lips against hers in a forceful, possessive kiss. Anne froze in shock before struggling to pull away. He released her momentarily. "I can protect myself—and those I care about. You don’t need to worry about my safety." He captured her lips again, this time with even more intensity, his frustration evident in the way he kissed her—hard, demanding, almost punishing. Anne whimpered, wincing when she felt a sharp sting as he bit her lower lip. Tears welled in her eyes, a mix of pain, confusion, and the storm of emotions raging in her. Augustine pulled away slightly, his expression softening, though the fire in his eyes still burned. "Why don’t you understand?" he murmured, his voice thick with frustration and helplessness. "Can’t you see what’s in my heart? Can’t you feel it?" He seized her hand and pressed it firmly against his chest. Anne stiffened, fearful and confused. "Feel it, Anne," he urged desperately. "Listen to it. With every beat, my heart calls only your name. It’s you—only you." Anne blinked, startled. The raw emotion in his eyes spoke louder than any words—he was truly, deeply, and irrevocably in love with her. But how? How had he fallen for her so quickly? The questions gnawed at her, but despite them, she couldn’t ignore the thrill coursing through her at his confession.

Chapter 76: End this marriage

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