Requiem for the Godfather Chapter 5

Then, I packaged up all the provocative messages Scarlett had sent me and forwarded them to her biggest competitor in the industry.

I outsourced my hatred. Let them tear each other apart.

Just as I was about to turn off my phone, Julian called.

"I forgot to tell you, the divorce has a 30-day cooling-off period."

"If you want to back out, you can."

"But you’d better do something to make me happy."

His voice was as lazy and composed as ever.

He was certain I couldn't let him go.

I looked at the boarding time and said expressionlessly, "Understood."

Then I hung up and walked onto the plane.

(Julian's POV)

This was the first time Ava had ever hung up on him.

Julian stewed in annoyance for five days.

He climbed out of bed, leaving Scarlett sleeping.

He put on his coat, intending to go home and check.

Scarlett hugged him from behind, draping herself over him. "Julian, stay with me a little longer."

Julian glanced back. "Don't tell Ava about the baby yet."

Scarlett pouted unhappily. "You guys are divorced. What are you afraid of?"

Julian stiffened, feeling inexplicably angry. "There are still 25 days left. It’s not a divorce yet."

He pushed Scarlett away, put on his pants, and went home.

He hadn't been back in nearly a week. The house was too quiet.

Julian felt a twinge of panic. That panic peaked when he saw the kitchen—pristine, unused.

He pushed open the bedroom door and rummaged through the drawers.

finally, he found what he was looking for in the trash can.

A wedding ring.

The day she signed the papers, Ava had placed it on the table for him.

He hadn't taken it.

Because deep down, he didn't believe Ava would actually agree to the divorce.

Even if she signed, she would regret it sooner or later.

After all, Ava loved him.

Julian picked up the ring and carefully wiped off the dust.

He had bought this ring when he was 19.

He hauled cargo at the docks, washed dishes in restaurants, and fought in underground boxing matches.

He worked for three months straight to buy it.

For him, and for Ava, it meant everything.

So, it must have fallen into the trash by accident.

Julian stood up and looked at the wedding photo on the wall.

Ava was only 22 in the picture, smiling like a flower.

Come to think of it, the reason he got with Scarlett was because of Ava.

He couldn't forget the Ava who dazzled his youth at 18.

Back then, he was poor, wild, and had nothing.

It was Ava who gave him all his warmth.

Later, the Moretti Family reclaimed him.

He shed his identity as a street thug and became the heir.

He got Ava, just as he always wanted.

But Ava changed.

She shed her student-day free spirit and became disciplined, boring.

She looked just like those fake high-society wives.

Julian knew deep down it was because Ava came from a humble background.

To be his wife, she had to fit in so she wouldn't embarrass the Morettis.

He was disappointed, but he still loved her.

Until Scarlett appeared.

She was so much like the young Ava.

Julian felt it was normal to fall for her.

The first time he mentioned divorce to Ava, it just slipped out.

He regretted it immediately.

Later, when he brought it up again, it was only because he thought she was making too much of a scene.

He just wanted her to tone it down.

Compared to other men in his circle, he was practically a saint.

In all these years, he only had Scarlett on the side.

Ava making such a fuss was ungrateful.

Besides, he never really intended to divorce Ava.

As long as she behaved and was a little more tolerant...

Once he got bored of playing, he would come back.

Julian picked up his phone, deciding to be the bigger man and call Ava.

To coax her a little.

But before he could dial, he realized he had been blocked.

His brow furrowed. Impossible.

He had been with Scarlett for years, and even when Ava was at her angriest, she never blocked him.

Before he could figure it out, his phone rang.

It was Scarlett.

"Julian! Ava leaked our affair to my rival company!"

"There are bots all over the internet now. The backlash is starting."

"What do I do, Julian?"

"I'm so scared. How can Ava be so disgusting? Does she want me dead?"

Julian listened to her sobbing, his frown deepening.

Ava was doing something stupid again.

Hadn't she learned her lesson?

He remembered the last time Ava looked at him, pale and weak, asking why he was so cruel to her mother.

Julian felt a momentary flicker of guilt.

He thought of Ava's mother.

The elder who had helped him when he was young.

Actually, he was just scaring Ava back then.

Even if Ava refused to clarify the rumors, he wouldn't have actually let the woman die.

But Ava agreed, which was good. She was obedient.

"I know. I'll handle it."

He hung up, having no patience to comfort Scarlett.

He decided to find Ava. As long as Ava agreed to clarify this mess, he would remarry her.

He would even take her on a trip to that country she loved.

He had promised her that trip when they got married.

But back then, he was busy dealing with Family business.

Busy proving his strength.

When he finally had time, things with Ava were already a mess.

But he did go on that trip.

With Scarlett.

Scarlett had found out about his promise to Ava and threw a tantrum until he agreed to take her instead.

Julian remembered Ava's reaction when she found out.

That expression—like she was crying and laughing at the same time.

His chest tightened inexplicably.

He tried to call Ava's mother, but the number was out of service.

He had to call Ava's closest friend.

Then, his face went white. "Ava sold all her assets and left the country?!"

"Impossible! How could she leave me?"

Julian couldn't control his voice.

But he quickly calmed down.

Ava's mother was still in the hospital. How could she leave her mother?

He called the doctor. The doctor sounded confused.

"Mr. Moretti, I'm already back in Europe."

Julian exploded. "You're in Europe? Who is treating my mother-in-law?"

The doctor sounded even more confused. "But the patient passed away last month..."

It felt like a lightning strike.

He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Passed away?"

"How is that possible?"

He muttered blankly.

If she died, why didn't Ava call him?

Why didn't she come to find him?

Suddenly, Julian remembered the call he received during Scarlett's checkup.

He hadn't heard clearly what was said.

Now, thinking back, his face turned dark and terrifying.

He called Scarlett, his voice ice-cold.

"Did you tell Ava you were pregnant?"

Scarlett sounded nervous but tried to act cute.

"Julian, I was just so happy, I wanted to show off a little."

Julian roared, "You idiot! Did I tell you not to provoke Ava?!"

"Do you not know your place?"

Scarlett’s tone changed. She bit her lip.

"But you're divorced! Julian, aren't you going to marry me?"

Julian laughed in anger. "Marry you? When did I say I would marry you?"

"Ava and I were together for so many years. Do you think you can break us?"

Scarlett gritted her teeth, sobbing. "Julian, you can't treat me like this."

"I'm carrying your child..."

But Julian had already hung up. Clutching the ring, he rushed out of the house in a panic.