There were too many people.
Plus, it was almost time to cut the cake, so the lights had already been dimmed.
Raelynn Ortiz thought she caught a glimpse of a pale yellow dress slipping behind the heavy curtains.
By the time she turned her head to look properly, the figure had vanished without a trace, almost like a trick of the light.
"What are you looking at, Raelynn?" Chloe Hudson asked, weaving through the crowd to grab her hand and pull her toward the dessert table. "You have to get the first slice of cake. Hurry up."
"Oh, it's nothing."
Raelynn shook her head, dismissing the thought.
When they walked over, Derek Davenport was already standing by the cake. Seeing Chloe bustling about, he immediately pulled her into his arms, lowering his head to catch the scent on her lips. His eyes narrowed. "Did you drink too much again?"
Chloe looked a little guilty, raising a hand to push his face away. "Just a little bit."
Derek frowned, gently pinching her cheek. "Dearest Chloe, did you forget you're on a strict health regimen?"
"I know, I know, stop nagging..." Chloe muttered defensively. She had worked herself to the bone over the years, nearly destroying her health in the process. Combined with her love for a good drink, her body was a mess, and her cycle was completely unpredictable. Raelynn had wanted to help her regulate her health, but Chloe hated taking the bitter supplements, so she had refused. This had worried Derek to no end.
He had even brought in the Hudson family's top wellness specialist to completely overhaul her health routine.
If he could, he would have grown extra eyes just to monitor her medication and enforce a strict ban on alcohol.
Derek usually spoiled her rotten, but when it came to her health, he gave her absolutely no wiggle room.
Naturally, Chloe felt guilty.
"I'll deal with you when we get home tonight," Derek warned, his voice low and tight.
Chloe pretended she didn't hear him.
She grabbed the cake knife and shoved it into his hands. "Hurry up and make a wish."
Derek shot her a look, clearly utterly defenseless against her antics.
Raelynn watched them from the sidelines, unable to hold back a smile.
With Chloe's chaotic energy, Derek was probably the only man in the world who could manage and pamper her without ever growing tired of it.
If nothing else, he had more than made up for the cold indifference Chloe had suffered from her own parents.
"Hurry up and wish for something," Chloe urged.
Derek's lips curved into a smile. "Done."

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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!...