Raelynn knew she couldn't win a war of words against Sebastian.
He was too sharp, too ruthless, leaving absolutely no room for anyone's pride.
Sebastian didn't say anything else to her.
He steered his wheelchair past them.
Leaving behind one final sentence: "Mr. Hudson, I'll be waiting for your answer at the auction."
He went to get his dressings changed.
He didn't care how they would handle this impossible dilemma.
Raelynn knew she had dragged Ian into this mess. He had no obligation to make such a massive sacrifice for her. She thought about it for a moment. "He only made that demand because he thinks we're deeply in love. We're only getting married for the child's sake, Ian. You don't need to give in."
She spoke clearly, emphasizing every word. "If Sebastian is going to keep interfering like this, we don't have to go through with the wedding..."
"Raelynn."
Ian looked down at her, his gaze steady. "I'm marrying you because I care about you. I've never been afraid of trouble, and I don't care if you're using this marriage for the child. You don't need to back out, and you certainly don't need to feel like a burden."
Raelynn was stunned.
Especially by his blunt confession of his feelings.
She swallowed hard, determined to make things absolutely clear. "I'm sorry. You were just trying to help me, and now you're being blackmailed in the middle of a corporate war with the Croix family. I don't want to leave any room for ambiguity. I have zero expectations for marriage anymore. I just want custody of Lily. I might never meet your expectations or give you what you want in return."
Ian wrapped her coat tighter around her, unbothered by her words. "I told you, we have plenty of time."
"It's a mutual choice. No one is getting the short end of the stick," he said dismissively.
Raelynn suddenly found herself at a loss for words.
"Me?" Raelynn looked at her.
Sierra nodded. "At The Grand Hills Resort the other day, for Lily's birthday? Something seemed to happen halfway through, and you and Lily never came back out. People were rushing around the hotel, but I had a bad allergy attack and had to leave early. I don't know what happened after that. Did something go wrong?"
She pulled out her phone to show Raelynn a few photos of the massive sea of roses. "There were so many flowers. Mr. Hudson really went all out for you."
That was the first time Raelynn had actually seen the proposal setup Sebastian had mentioned.
As the intended recipient, she hadn't even laid eyes on it.
"Nothing happened," Raelynn replied, keeping the details of that chaotic day to herself.
Sierra breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good. I thought something terrible went wrong since I couldn't find you. I tried calling you, but the call wouldn't go through."
As she spoke, she looked at Raelynn cautiously, her eyes full of hope. "Professor Ortiz, actually... I suspect you're my sister."

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!...