[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-2603221E34AF-97":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},97,11,"Chapter 11: \"They Don't Count.\"","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I was having dinner with William, going over notes for an upcoming military press briefing, when Roman Armstrong suddenly loomed in the restaurant doorway.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It had been three months. His face was a shadow of itself, covered in coarse, neglected stubble that made him look like a man who’d spent his nights drowning in scotch rather than sleep.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His eyes locked onto me—wild, bloodshot, and frantic.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Genevieve! I finally found you!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He lunged, arms wide, intent on a reunion I never asked for. William didn't flinch, planting himself firmly between us like an immovable wall of granite.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roman froze, his expression curdling into pure, unadulterated rage.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Move.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">William offered a dry, thin smile. \"Sir, I suggest you compose yourself. Personal boundaries are a thing, even for men of your stature. Keep your hands to yourself.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roman’s jaw set hard, his neck veins pulsing. \"I’m trying to embrace my wife! What business is it of yours?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">William’s correction was swift and cold. \"Ex-wife.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Seeing Roman again felt like an old, festering wound being torn open—not with the ache of longing, but with the sharp, acidic sting of revulsion.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Genevieve, listen to me,\" Roman pleaded, his voice cracking. \"I didn’t know those papers were divorce filings at the time! If I’d known, I never would have signed them! They don't count!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">William let out a low, mocking chuckle. \"Right. You were a little too busy coddling your wounded little favorite to pay attention to legal documents, weren't you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roman choked on his own anger, his glare shifting toward William with enough heat to melt steel.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Genevieve, please,\" Roman said, ignoring William and focusing back on me. \"We’ve known each other for twenty years. That’s two decades of history! Can you really just throw it all away?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He stood there, raw and pathetic, his eyes glistening with a desperate, performative sorrow. The old me—the girl from six months ago—would have caved. She would have been at his side in a heartbeat, soothing his brow.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Now? I just felt nauseous.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">William didn't let up. \"You certainly didn't think twice back then. You had plenty of headspace for your little protégé, but not a single thought to spare for Genevieve.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Enough!\" Roman roared, finally losing his grip on his professional composure. \"Chief Engineer Graham, my business with my wife is none of your concern! Don't you have some blueprints to rot over? Or is harassing your peers now part of your official duties?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Roman narrowed his eyes, searching for a weak point in William’s calm demeanor.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Your intentions are showing, Graham. And they’re transparent as hell.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">William shrugged, his smile not wavering for a second. \"You’re absolutely right about that. I’m trying to win her heart.\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272924266]