Chapter <b>227 </b>Shattered Delusions
Chapter 227 Shattered Delusions
“Lily is already married.” James said coldly. “In front of herwful husband, what are you–a pathetic i From now on, stay away from her. If you ever darey a hand on her again, you’ll be making an enemy <b>of </b>the entire Luke family.”
Lily knew James only stood up for her because he had a strong moralpass and couldn’t stomach men who hit women.
Still, even knowing he <b>didn’t </b>say it from affection, hearing him call himself her husband sent her heart into a frantic rhythm <b>she </b>couldn’t control.
She <b>was </bpletely doomed.
She liked him more and more.
Like someone sinking into quicksand, even after struggling to escape, even knowing full well she should keep her distance, she still couldn’t stop herself from falling-
“<b>What </b>wife?” John’s face was ck with fury.
To him, Lily belonged to him–always had, always <b>would</b>. Hearing James call her his wife was unbearable.
“You two were forced together by your parents‘ arrangement. If you really cared about her, you wouldn’t <b>have </b>introduced her to other <b>men</b>. She doesn’t want to be your wife–she said it herself. In this life and the next, for all eternity, she only wants to grow old with me. James, stop fooling yourself! Lily,e with me. Let’s go home.”
“John, the one fooling himself here is you.”
Lily knew James hated being clung to, and she would never <b>repay </b>his help by pestering <b>him </b>or making him ufortable.
She’d exin it all to himter.
But right now, she needed to disgust John <b>just </b><b>a </b>little <b>more</b><b>–</b>and borrow James‘ presence to finally sever thest of his delusions.
“<b>Who </b>said I don’t want to be James‘ wife? He’s incredible–the best man I’ve ever met. I’d love nothing more than to be his wife. Sure, I said I wanted to be with you for eternity–but who actually takes <b>what </b>
someone say’s
in a moment of infatuation seriously? John, I don’t love you anymore. I stopped loving you the second I walked out of your mansion.”
Her voice sharpened. “I shattered our only framed photo. Dug up what we buried under the silk tree and burned it. I sold or threw out <b>every </b>single gift you ever gave me. Everything I gave you–1 destroyed too. I’ve cut all ties with you. <b>What </b>makes you think you still have any right to cling to me?”
“What did you say?”
John’s pupils shrank violently.
She had deliberately smashed their photo?
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Chapter 227 Shattered Delusions
She had destroyed what they buried beneath the silk tree?
He refused to believe she’d actually do that.
She had to be lying to hurt him.
“I said, loving you was absolutely disgusting.”
Lily enunciated each word like a knife to his <b>heart</b>. “If I could live my life over, I wouldn’t waste a single day, let alone four <b>years</b>, tangled up <b>with </b>a rotten fool like you.”
“Lily. I hurt you tonight. You’re spouting nonsense, but I won’t <b>hold </b>it against you.”
John’s eyes were bloodshot, his voice hoarse. He stubbornly reached out his hand again. “Stop saying those things to spite me. Come back with me. Let’s go home.”
“Stop harassing Lily.”
James hated men who raised their hands <b>against </b>women. There was no way he’d let <b>John </b>drag her back.
He kicked John’s hand aside without hesitation, then lifted Lily into his arms.
“Anyone who harms my wife is picking a fight with me. John, stay the hell away from her if <b>you </b>want to live.”
The marks on Lily’s neck made James‘ chest tighten with fury. All he wanted now was to treat her wounds. He had no time to waste arguing with these fools..
He had already sent the video to Ashton.
That video not only showed Elsa’s staged fall–it also captured John’s brutal assault on Lily.
James ordered Ashton to take the footage to the police, then turned to leave with Lily still in his arms<b>. </b>
Lily looped her arms around his neck, nestling into him with a softness that didn’t match her usual independence.
Like she truly adored him. Needed <b>him </b>
John couldn’t stand the sight of it. <b>The </b>scene burned <b>his </b>eyes..
He took a long stride forward, intending to snatch Lily back from James.
But just as he passed by Elsa<b>, </b>she grabbed the cuff of his pants, forcing him to halt.
“<b>John</b>…”
<b>Elsa’s </b>face, usually cold <b>and </b>proud, was streaked with tears. “I’m really in so much pain.”
Earlier, when she was bloodied and crying out for help, John had been anxious <b>and </b>full of concern. <b>But </b>now, knowing the truth, hearing her whimper again felt nothing butughable and pathetic.
He looked down at her, eyes filled with disappointment and disdain. “Elsa, why did you frame Lily<i>? </i>Both <i>a </i>
23:53 <b>Tue</b>, <b>22 </b>Jul ?aa?
Chapter 227 Shattered Delusions
<b>times </b>Wendy tried to destroy her–were you really not involved? Did you truly know nothing?”
Elsa’s expression turned ashen, like ayer of dust had <b>been </b>smeared across her face.
<b>+20 </b>Free Cont
She couldn’t believe that John–the man who had always trusted and doted on her–was now doubting her. involvement in those two incidents.
The truth was, of course she’d been involved. She was the one who had advised Wendy.
But <b>she </b>couldn’t admit that.
Her lips trembled with pain before she finally looked up at him, trying to maintain her pride while pretending to be fragile. “John… do you really think I was the one who set up Lily’s drunk driving case? That I was the one who arranged for those photos to be taken of her?”