Raelynn could only sigh silently.
"I dragged the Hudson family into this mess. I have no right to be angry," Raelynn said. She wasn't unreasonable. The only reason Sebastian had used the bid to force Ian's hand and save face was because of her.
"Raelynn, you're allowed to be mad," Ian finally said after a long silence.
"Shouldn't you be asking why I broke my promise? Why the bid was still submitted, or why I prioritized business over you?"
Raelynn pulled her jacket tighter around herself. "I'm not an unreasonable woman."
Ian fell silent again. "But you don't even care."
She froze.
"You don't care because my feelings don't matter to you. You don't need my heart." His voice was flat, simply stating a fact.
Raelynn frowned.
They had made this crystal clear from the start. They were only together for Lily's sake. She had told him time and time again that she might never be able to return his affections.
And yet, his words just now...
...carried a trace of genuine emotion.
Feeling cornered, she said, "I just know you weren't the one who submitted it. That's why I don't blame you."
"And what if I had known this would happen? Would you still let me off the hook?" Ian asked quietly.
She hesitated, unable to answer.
When she saw the news last night, her first reaction hadn't been anger. She had simply viewed it as a logical, risk-avoidant decision made by a massive corporation.
How could Ian's lone voice stand against a boardroom full of executives and family elders?
She wasn't that important.
Certainly not important enough for him to throw away his empire.
She had always known her place.
"Forget it," Ian said, seemingly realizing his demanding tone was putting her in a tough spot. He backed down. "We're getting married. Whether it's a partnership or for Lily's sake, to the rest of the world, we are a couple in love. We need a home. When you have time, let's go house hunting together. Even if it's just for show."
He stopped pressing her for an emotional response.
As for Sebastian.
They still hadn't spoken. According to Sierra, Sebastian likely knew she and Ian had left early to spend time together, and he had silently accepted it.
His complete lack of reaction left her entirely numb.
Because the less Sebastian cared, the easier it would be for her to secure full custody of Lily.
There was no point in borrowing trouble.
***
Over the next two days.
Raelynn and Sebastian were like two strangers lost in a sea of people, completely vanishing from each other's lives.
Until...
She received a call from Matilda Croix.

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!...