Chloe's phone started ringing.
She nodded at Jasper. "Sure, just let me grab this."
It was a call from Raelynn.
The last time Raelynn visited, she had only stayed for three days.
Jasper gestured for her to go ahead.
Chloe walked past him toward the open-air balcony.
The call delivered a surprising and thrilling piece of news. "I'm pregnant," Raelynn announced.
Chloe was overjoyed. "How far along?"
"Over two months," Raelynn replied. "I came to Houston for a business trip, but I wasn't feeling well, so I went to the hospital for some meds. That's how I found out."
She had been so overwhelmed with work that she hadn't even noticed the changes in her own body.
"So what's the plan with Sebastian?" Chloe asked.
"Well... he's been planning a wedding behind my back. But he took your situation into account, so he's not hosting it in Kingsford. He wants to do it in Houston so you can attend. Plus, the security will be tight, so you won't run into him."
Derek had been stationed in Kingsford for nearly a year now.
He had been guarding the home he once shared with Chloe.
Rumor had it he returned there every single day.
The smile faded from Chloe's lips. "That works. But it sucks that you guys have to change your plans just to accommodate me. I really don't have to go. It might be better to avoid any risks."
She was deeply concerned about causing trouble for Raelynn and Sebastian.
"Don't be ridiculous. We've thought of everything. There won't be anyone there who recognizes you, and no media will be allowed inside. Even if there are a few mutual acquaintances, they have no ties to Derek. Your secret is safe."
Chloe stared out into the distance.
Time really was the ultimate healer.
Though the ache occasionally surfaced, it was no longer a fatal wound.
"Alright. Since you're in Houston, I'm close by. I'll come visit you."
She was worried about Raelynn not feeling well.
Raelynn didn't refuse, though she pondered for a moment. "Chlo, it's time to step out of the shadows. Not everyone is as heartless as he was. I don't want you trapped by his memory, and I definitely don't want you to lose hope."
Chloe understood what Raelynn meant.
Her eyes fluttered shut for a brief moment.
Then she let out a loud, carefree laugh. "Oh, I don't believe in love anymore. Money is a much more solid foundation than romance ever was."
Jasper had just reached the doorway.
He caught the woman's laughing declaration entirely off guard.
Despite her breezy tone, there was an unspeakable bitterness beneath the surface. It seeped into his chest, making his own heart ache for a fleeting second.
The call ended.
Chloe turned around.
She found herself locking eyes with Jasper, who was holding a cup of coffee.
The man stood in a relaxed posture. His features weren't sharp or intimidating; he was usually smiling, making him seem approachable. Yet, he possessed a devastatingly attractive face that easily drew attention, giving him the aura of a playboy.
That is, if one didn't know about his severe germaphobia.
Otherwise, Chloe would have easily assumed he had a different girlfriend in every city.

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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!...