She was deeply worried that Raelynn might feel burdened about accepting her ties to the Yves family after witnessing her hysterical reaction toward Quentin.
Rowan's resentment was aimed solely at Quentin.
Besides, Julian was Raelynn's biological brother, the son of Lydia. That blood tie couldn't just be severed.
Raelynn nodded. "I know."
Rowan finally felt a wave of relief. She had always feared that growing up alone would make Raelynn carry the weight of the world on her shoulders.
Raelynn hadn't burdened her mother with the dark details of her upbringing or what she had endured. She only mentioned that she had cut all ties with Silas Vance years ago and had been raised by Professor Finch.
However...
"What about Sebastian? When is he coming over?" Rowan asked casually.
Raelynn barely disguised her hesitation.
She hadn't told her mother about the shattered state of her marriage, either.
Since Rowan had only just woken up from her coma, she was completely in the dark. All she knew was that Sebastian had been running himself ragged for their family and had even hired the top physical therapists from abroad. Naturally, she assumed they were deeply in love.
"He's... probably tied up at work," Raelynn lied smoothly without missing a beat. "Let's just start without him."
She planned to find the right moment to confess the truth later. Rowan had just woken up and was finally in high spirits; learning that her daughter's marriage was a disaster would crush her.
It gave Raelynn a headache just thinking about it.
Now, she finally understood why people chose to share only the good news and bury the bad.
"It's New Year's Eve, working this hard is going to ruin his health." Rowan, gentle by nature, looked genuinely concerned. "You should talk to him. Money can always be made later, but health is everything."
"I will, I will. I know," Raelynn replied automatically, having perfected the art of dodging.
She finalized the menu.
Then she immediately started placing orders for the food.
Her cooking skills were honestly nothing to brag about—she had completely missed that gene. She couldn't possibly handle a full holiday feast on her own and could at best manage a few basic herbal soups.
During her years married to Sebastian, she had actually tried.
Raelynn felt a deep wave of gratitude.
By evening, the catered dishes began arriving one by one.
Outside, the streets were strung with festive lights, breathing warmth into the once-quiet city.
As Raelynn set the table, her phone began buzzing non-stop.
[Chloe Hudson]: Happy New Year's Eve! Give my Lily darling a massive kiss for me!
[Preston Moreno]: Happy holidays. We're gathering at Professor Finch's place later. I'll hand Lily her red envelope in person.
[Zella Davenport]: First time spending the holidays over here, and it's honestly so boring. We're not even allowed to set off fireworks. Mind if I crash your dinner?
Raelynn laughed softly.
She was just typing out her replies when a new banner notification flashed across the top of her screen.
[Ian Hudson]: I'm downstairs.

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!...