Watching the exchange, Celia had to bite her lip to keep from laughing out loud.
The rest of the dinner was warm and comfortable.
Halfway through, Raelynn noticed a missed call from the landline at the marital home.
She checked the time—it was almost nine.
While Ian and Professor Finch were deep in conversation, she slipped outside to return the call.
"Ma'am? Are you still working late? Or are you out with friends?"
Mary's probing voice filtered through the speaker.
Knowing full well Mary was checking up on her for Matilda, Raelynn replied sharply, "Is there a problem?"
Mary said smoothly. "It's just getting late. You really should come home soon."
A dull ache pulsed behind Raelynn's temples.
She was fully divorced, the paperwork was signed, yet because of this ridiculous hostage situation with the certificate, she was still being monitored. She felt like a glorified surrogate trapped inside the hollow shell of a dead marriage.
Entirely stripped of her freedom.
A bitter scoff escaped her, though she kept her tone dangerously even. "Do I need to submit a formal report on what time I go home, if I go home, and who I socialize with?"
Mary was instantly rendered speechless.
Just then.
Ian stepped out of the dining room. From a distance, he called out, "Raelynn?"
Raelynn glanced over her shoulder and immediately hung up the phone.
Back at the marital home.
Mary turned around nervously, finding Sebastian standing right in the doorway.
He had been coming home every night recently.
The phone had been on speaker, meaning Sebastian had heard every single word—including the distinct male voice at the end.
"Mr. Croix, it seems Ms. Ortiz is quite busy. She's likely out having fun with friends," Mary offered carefully, terrified of saying the wrong thing.
After all, another man had just called out her name.
Sebastian's dark, fathomless eyes swept over the landline.
He slowly began unbuttoning his cuffs. "I heard."
The male voice had been muffled and distorted through the phone, making it impossible to identify.
Mary cautiously watched his face for any sign of fury.
But Sebastian was a master at concealing his emotions. He looked completely unfazed.


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Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Boss, Your Wife Signed the Divorce Agreement Before the Wedding
This author is not letting her FL win. haha Such a rage bait! But I keep on reading anyway! Urgh!...