Chapter 28
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Edward was right about one thing: I was in a bind. Constantly–ever since I was a kid. It didn’t matter how rich or powerful the jones family was. It had nothing to do with me
I was a daughter of the Jones family in name only.
Sure, the haute couture fashion house I founded was doing well, but it had only been a few years. Most of the money had gone into renovating that villa.
“Let’s just discuss this once you’re back. I won’t try to take more out of it, anyway. Why would I, when it will just trigger Maddie into starting another bitch fit?”
I ended the call before Edward could say anything more. I was simply too frustrated.
I got into the car and cast one last, resentful glance at the Clerk’s Office.
My phone beeped. Edward had sent a text message.
Edward: [Don’t worry, Tay. Maddie won’t know anything about this. You’ve given me so much… This is the least I can do to repay all of your sacrifices.]
A lump formed in my throat. Tears welled in my eyes. So this piece of shit had a heart after all.
I hated how long it took him to realize it. If he had just kept being an asshole, it would’ve been easier for me to see him as the enemy–someone to avoid entirely.
But now, with his sudden change, trying to be the decent, nice guy, it was just going to be psychologically exhausting.
After staring at the message for a while, though, I managed to snap out of it and steeled my resolve. I couldn’t let myself be easily swayed by whatever tricks he was pulling!
This was an asshole who had shown his true colors. I couldn’t believe in any supposed change of heart from someone who had lied and backstabbed me.
I canceled the divorce appointment and looked for a new slot.
As it turned out, the next available opening was half-
a away–again!
Jean had invited me to dinner to celebrate my freedom.
“The divorce didn’t happen,” I announced, dismayed.
“What? Why not? Did he refuse?”
“In a way.”
Jean was irritated. “What the hell? He married Maddison in public! You couldn’t have been more dramatic about your affair, and now he’s getting squeamish about divorcing you?
I sighed and explained what happened.
She seemed to arrive at the same conclusion I had. “Oh God, he’s regretting his choice, isn’t he? He realized you’re better than Maddison in ways that can’t be fixed, and now he’s worried he’ll lose you forever if you go through with the divorce.
“I mean, who’s going to be his blood bank if his disease flares up again?”
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Chapter 28
I stared at her, stunned.
Holy shit–why hadn’t I thought of this?
I knew he must have regretted choosing Maddison over me, but I had overlooked this angle entirely.
“You didn’t realize something that obvious?” Jean asked, clearly upset.
I nodded, dazed. “Well… Better late than never?”
“I can’t believe you!” she exclaimed, rolling her eyes. “Seems like you don’t know just how ignoble people can be!
I agreed silently.
“Still, I think the biggest reason is Maddison. He can’t stand her, Tay. That’s why he’s trying to find comfort with you,” she added.
After we ordered, Jean continued. “Aunt Patricia told me Maddie threw a huge fit at him yesterday. She basically eviscerated him so loudly that the entire oncology department heard about it. How’s a wealthy family’s precious little boy going to handle all that humiliation?”
I was pretty stunned to hear this, but in hindsight, it wasn’t all that surprising, “No wonder he’s suddenly outstation.‘ He wasn’t just avoiding the divorce procedure he was avoiding seeing Maddie, too!”
Weren’t newlyweds supposed to be all lovey–dovey? How funny that these two had already started fighting, with one of them making up an excuse to run away!
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