Maybe this was for the best.
Not all married couples were together for love. Some were bound by responsibility, unavoidable circumstances, or simply the desire for companionship. Everyone was just doing their best to make it work.
Besides.
She and Ian shared a profound bond in Lily.
She playfully tugged at Lily's little braid and finally replied, "Okay."
Ian froze for a second. Then, staring intently at her profile, a slow smile curved his lips.
Chairwoman Hayes's birthday banquet concluded smoothly.
With so many guests swarming around, Raelynn saw that the esteemed elder was overwhelmed and decided not to bother her.
"It's fine. We can always come pay our respects tomorrow when it's quieter," Ian said, easing Raelynn's concerns.
Raelynn nodded, taking Lily's hand. "Let's head back for now, then."
Lily immediately reached out to Ian. "Daddy, hold hands!"
Amused by Lily's blatant attempt to keep things fair between them, Ian chuckled and stepped forward to take her other hand. Flanking her on either side, he and Raelynn walked together, occasionally swinging Lily up into the air and playing rocket ship with her.
When Sebastian emerged from the crowd.
He happened to catch this exact scene.
Two adults and a child. Both Raelynn and Ian were looking down at Lily with tender, beaming smiles, occasionally glancing up to share a warm look with each other.
They looked exactly like a picture-perfect family.
The sheer happiness radiating from them was palpable even from a distance.
It was the kind of joy that was impossible to ignore.
His tall, imposing figure stood quietly under a century-old pine tree, lingering for a long moment.
His striking face revealed no emotion whatsoever.
His dark eyes remained fixed on that direction until the trio's silhouettes disappeared through the doorway.
Only then did he pull his gaze away.
A second later.
Seraphina approached him. "Sebastian, I've booked a restaurant for tonight. My mother would like to have dinner with you. Is that convenient?"
Sebastian turned to face her. His expression was incredibly detached, almost devoid of warmth. "Sure," he replied simply.
Seraphina abruptly turned her head.
Glancing toward the direction Raelynn and the others had left.
The next day.
She and Ian had arranged to meet in the afternoon.
He said he would come pick them up right after wrapping up an urgent meeting.
So, Raelynn decided to rent a car and take Lily to check out a few popular local spots first.
Lily knew the nearby shops like the back of her hand.
The only problem was the parking. When Raelynn pulled into an underground garage, the convoluted layout completely threw her off. After a few failed attempts at backing into a spot, Lily was getting dizzy. "Mama, my tummy feels all wobbly. Can I get out and wait for you?"
Raelynn felt a flush of embarrassment.
She glanced around and confirmed they were in a safe, designated area where no speeding cars would pose a sudden danger.
Only then did she allow Lily to step out first.
Clutching her little bear backpack, Lily hopped out of the car and waited while Raelynn maneuvered the vehicle.
It took Raelynn several tries to finally back in perfectly.
Once parked, she unbuckled her seatbelt.
Just as she reached for the door handle, the rear door was suddenly yanked open, and someone slid into the backseat.

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!...