Chapter 378

Emmeline had been the faithful one, the one who had tried to make their marriage work despite his cruelty and indifference. The unfairness of it made her want to scream, but her voice seemed trapped in her throat, strangled by months of conditioning to remain silent in the face of his accusations.

Emile stepped forward, positioning himself between Emmeline and Richard’s family like a human shield.

His protective stance reminded Emmeline of their childhood, when he would stand up to neighborhood bullies on her behalf, never allowing anyone to hurt his little sister.

“Don’t you dare speak ill of my sister.” Anger flushed his cheeks. “You’re the criminal who turned her life into hell. If anyone should be severing relationships here, it’s us. The court has spoken—Emmeline defended herself against abuse. That’s the only truth that matters today!”

Margaret’s lips curled into a sneer that transformed her elegant features into something venomous and distorted. She ad