Raelynn shook her head and smiled.
She had zero expectations or fantasies about love and marriage anymore.
Ian had helped her.
She would always be grateful.
But back then, Ian had known she would be hesitant.
He explicitly offered to sign an agreement stating that once the child turned six, Raelynn could sign papers to change Lily's last name back to Ortiz whenever she wanted. It was a guarantee that protected her rights and eased her fears as a mother.
After Lily's birthday next year, she could start the process.
-
During her time off.
Raelynn went to the nursing home to visit her grandfather.
It was the best facility available, costing over seven hundred thousand a year.
Her grandfather, Arthur Ortiz, had his daughter late in life, at the age of forty.
He was now 89 years old.
He had dementia; some days he was sharp, other days he was entirely lost.
When Raelynn sat by his bed, the old man was reading a book. Hearing her, he looked up and asked warmly, "Who are you looking for, little one?"
He had forgotten her again.
Raelynn smiled. "You look just like my grandpa. Can I sit with you for a while? I miss him."
Arthur's heart instantly softened. "Of course, my dear. Have you eaten? Do you want to eat with me? I have a granddaughter about your age. Her name is Sunny..."
Raelynn tucked the blanket in around him. Her nickname was Sunny.
Even when his mind was completely clouded, he still remembered her name.
"Really? She doesn't sound very nice, never coming to visit you."
Arthur's weathered but gentle face instantly showed displeasure. He defended her quickly. "My Sunny is wonderful. She has the kindest heart—so kind that anyone could take advantage of her. I'm terrified of what will happen to her when I'm gone. Who's going to protect her?"
Raelynn's eyes pricked with tears.
Arthur's gaze grew distant for a moment. "Sunny got married. Her husband knows how wonderful she is, and he'll protect her. Right, my grandson-in-law is named Sebastian. A good name for a strong, upstanding man. Back when he married Sunny, he even got down on one knee in front of me to ask for my blessing. He earned my approval."
Asking for his blessing on bended knee.
That was news to Raelynn.
But her grandfather's memories were often tangled and confused.
It didn't sound like something Sebastian would ever do.
"Do you think they'll be happy?" she asked.
Arthur nodded with absolute certainty. "My granddaughter will absolutely be happy."
Raelynn fell silent.
Her grandfather had such high hopes for her. It was a shame she had turned her life into such a disaster.
She stayed and ate lunch with him.
Halfway through, Arthur had a moment of pure clarity.
"Raelynn, dear? Are you heading to Banyan Hill Villa for a little getaway?"
"How did you know?"
"Oh, silly girl, Banyan Hill is one of the Croix family's properties. Why on earth did you book a standard suite? Since you're going, you need to enjoy yourself. Grandma already had them upgrade you to the best suite available."
Matilda Croix hadn't entirely handed over the reins yet; she still managed several of the Croix family's assets.
Raelynn didn't bother arguing.
When she stepped into the suite, she immediately understood what "the best" meant.
It was a top-tier penthouse that easily cost over six figures a night.
It offered a sweeping, breathtaking view of the mountains and water.
It was nearly eight o'clock by the time Raelynn settled in.
She dropped her bags and went straight to the shower.
After a long soak, she wrapped a towel around herself and walked out into the room.
At that exact moment.
There was the beep of the electronic lock on the front door.
A second later, the door was pushed open from the outside.
Raelynn's hands, which were just adjusting the towel at her chest, froze.
She turned her head.
And met the deep, dark, and utterly unreadable eyes of the man standing in the doorway.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Boss, Your Wife Signed the Divorce Agreement Before the Wedding
I think for as slow as the beginning was, their turning point is just so fast... really hope we actually get to read about R and S and their rekindle.... we did not read 950 pages for their story to be sidelined. Im for this sideline story, but it if it's to separate from the main characters and their story, please make it separate book....
Author please update more chapters...
I really like Zella, she is becoming a good friend to Raelynn. Ian needs to go. The relationship with Chloe is confusing. Some chapters they are cousins, sometimes they're sibling. A little confusing....
Julians role as big brother- I feel comes from a genuine place, but in a relationship thats is just as stained as Raelynns and Sebastians. It hard for me to connect to his big brother role as he too was such a problem before. And while they talked a little bit, the conversation did not give me the believe there was resolution between Raelynn and Julian. For a brute, he should make his feelings clear about the situation to Raelynn and then step back, until there is more foundation for him to stand on....
Knife in my heart. I hurt for Raelynn. She has made it this far, but how much does she have in her, everyone has a breaking point. Some back of me hopes the author is joking to lighten the mood after so many intense chapters, but thats not this kind of story or couple....
My heart cannot take this. This, cannot be how it ends with these too. They need resolution with each other. Raelynn needs to be more humanize with Sebastian. We know she is hurt, but this is the branch. She needs all these answers, if not for them to be together, then for Lily to have both her parents. Stop with the mind games Raelynn!...
Its like the story is just repeating itself...
Timeline is getting lost for me. So many treasured little memories Raelynn has but yet, he was gone for years ? Anyways... still rooting for them! These two need a heart to heart. Lily "forgetting" someone, not possible in this day and age and I hope thats not their storyline....
Sebastian, the man of few words.... needs to find all the words! Needs to fight for her! On note, seven years seems like a long time for this master plan (which I am sure goes back much farther). Rereading this novel, and it seems like everything has played out in a 5-8 month time span. And I feel like all Sebastian's doings/ plan have not been revealed. I hope we get to see the whole picture and have the resolutions we hope. But seven years of mistreatment, I just don't see Raelynn fully coming back. If these was 2-3 years, maybe, and I know it changes some characters around, but it would still work. Rooting for them!...
Literally on edge!...