Chapter 154

After using her as a stand-in for a whole year, Julian had the audacity to act innocent in front of Rosalie. He was so annoying.

She didn’t want to waste any more breath on him and said, “I’ve figured it out now. If you want a divorce, go ahead. If you don’t, then drag it out. Either way, I won’t suffer.”

She had no intention of ever marrying again. The saying that marriage was a grave was an absolute truth. She had already “danced on the grave” for a year and finally escaped. There was no reason to jump back in. Whether she was married or single didn't really matter to her.

It mattered to Julian and Roseanne. As long as they weren't divorced, even if Julian and Roseanne were truly in love, Roseanne would be a mistress, and Julian would be labeled a cheating husband. Roseanne would bear the brunt of the blame, while Julian, a powerful tycoon, would remain unscathed.

If Julian didn’t want Roseanne blamed, he had to divorce Rosalie. So, the initiative was hers, the choice was Julian’s. She shouldn’t foolishly worry about the manipulative Roseanne.

“No,” Julian said abruptly, after Rosalie’s internal monologue, leaving her stunned. Before she could gather her thoughts, he continued, “I’m divorcing you, not because of Roseanne, and you were never a substitute for her.”

Julian suddenly remembered Kaleb’s afternoon comment: people in their circle believed he'd married Rosalie because she resembled Roseanne. Now, with Roseanne’s return, he initiated the divorce. If he weren't involved, he might have believed the rumor himself. He’d used it as an excuse to visit the Graham Villa when Edward called.

His explanation stunned Rosalie even further. On one hand, the fact that he wasn't divorcing her because of Roseanne was shocking. On the other, that the usually arrogant Julian would explain himself was even more surprising.

However, regardless of the truth, Rosalie wouldn't change her mind. Continuing to be entangled with Julian in a loveless marriage would only lead to more tragedy.

So, she nonchalantly shrugged and said, “Whatever. Whether it’s because of Roseanne or not, I still want a divorce. You think it over.”

Julian had hoped clarifying things would calm Rosalie, but she persisted. This time, he was truly furious.

“Rosalie, don’t push your luck,” Julian said, his face darkening as he grabbed her wrist, his stern look and the pressure in his eyes palpable.

Rosalie, realizing she couldn’t reason with him, was equally annoyed. “Julian, where do you get the confidence to think I can’t live without you? That a little sweetness will make me obediently come crawling back?”

With a cold face, Rosalie shook off his hand and looked at him without warmth. “Julian, get this straight. It’s I, Rosalie, who doesn’t want you, not the other way around.”

The words, “I don’t want you,” resonated painfully in Julian’s ears and heart.