No Divorce? The Billionaire's Love Chase! novel Chapter 643

Peter watched York's reaction and was silent for a long moment.

The way Gideon looked at Claudia was anything but innocent. He could see it, everyone else could see it, and York, of all people, should have been able to see it.

But Claudia had been in love with York for so many years, vowing to marry no one else, that he still found it hard to believe.

"York, tell me the truth," Peter said. "The cancelled wedding—whose fault was it?"

When York spoke again, his voice was heavy with exhaustion.

"It was my fault," he said.

Peter pressed, "You said tonight that you had someone you loved. Was it Ann?"

"So you really did call off the wedding because of that woman!"

York's mind was a chaotic mess; he had no energy to explain further.

Everyone thought he was the one who didn't want Claudia, who called off their wedding.

But the truth was, he was the one who had been rejected, the one who'd been dumped.

His heart ached with frustration.

He said to Peter, "Go on back. Don't keep Darleen waiting."

Peter could clearly see that York was not okay.

But since York wasn't willing to talk, he had to let it go.

As he left, Peter warned him, "York, you took too long to return Claudia's feelings. If you still want a future with her, you need to make a move. Otherwise, you'll regret it sooner or later!"

With that, Peter got in his car and drove off.

Late that night.

York paced alone before the floor-to-ceiling windows of his living room. On the coffee table behind him, several empty wine bottles lay scattered about.

He had regretted it for a long time.

But it was too late.

From the moment he had agreed to step back into the role of her brother, he had been trying to prepare himself for the day she found someone else.

But seeing the undisguised love in Gideon's eyes when he looked at her, he couldn't stay calm. He was terrified.

Thank God Claudia didn't seem to feel that way.

Thank God she hadn't given Gideon any encouragement.

Otherwise, he didn't know what he might do.

Clutching his phone, York picked it up and put it down, again and again.

After several agonizing moments, he finally worked up the courage to send Claudia a message.

He asked: Are you asleep?

After a long internal struggle, York slowly lowered his hand, ultimately unable to press the doorbell.

He turned and leaned his back against the Watkins family's front door, closing his eyes tightly.

He tilted his head back slightly, his Adam's apple bobbing uncontrollably.

Claudia was probably asleep by now.

And even if she wasn't, what right did he have to question her?

He had promised her he would respect her decisions, that he wanted her to be happy.

Even if she really did get together with Gideon, all he could do was wish her well.

He couldn't be impulsive.

He couldn't disappoint Claudia again.

...

York didn't know how he made it back downstairs.

He sat in his car, chain-smoking one cigarette after another until the pack was empty. Exhausted, he slumped over the steering wheel, a dull ache spreading through his heart.

—

The next morning, Darleen invited Claudia out for a day of shopping.