Breaking Point of Divorce (Hugh and Bethan) novel Chapter 9

They hadn’t seen each other for several days.

When their eyes met in the elevator, Bethan quickly looked away after catching Hugh’s gaze for just a moment.

She’d been staying at a cheap motel, crying herself to sleep most nights. She’d barely been eating—when she did manage to get food down, she’d just throw it back up. The cycle of sleeping, crying, and feeling sick had consumed her days.

Hugh hadn’t texted or called even once.

She thought she was getting better, that maybe she was finally moving past the hurt.

But seeing Hugh with his arm around Megan in the elevator felt like a knife twisting in her chest.

At least Miranda was out of the hospital now. There was nothing stopping her from filing for divorce.

Hugh’s jaw tightened as he took in Bethan’s appearance. She looked terrible—pale and thin, like she hadn’t slept in days.

As more people crowded into the elevator, Hugh looked away and pulled Megan closer.

“The elevator’s pretty full,” Bethan told her parents. “Let’s catch the next one.”

Back at her parents’ house, Bethan lingered instead of heading home.

Vincent went out to pick up groceries for dinner.

Miranda pulled her daughter aside. “Honey, what’s really going on? You and Hugh had a fight, didn’t you?”

A mother always knew.

Miranda had noticed how exhausted and withdrawn Bethan had been lately.

Tears started streaming down Bethan’s face, which alarmed Miranda. “Sweetheart, what did he do?”

Miranda knew her daughter was head-over-heels for Hugh. It would take something devastating to break her down like this.

Without a word, Bethan collapsed into her mother’s arms, sobbing.

Miranda understood immediately. Soon they were both crying.

When Bethan finally cried herself out, she managed to say, “Mom, his ex is back. I want a divorce.”

Miranda gently wiped her daughter’s tears. “Whatever you decide, your father and I support you completely.”

When they came out of the bedroom, Vincent was standing by the door, his eyes red. The grocery bags shook in his hands.

“This is my fault,” he said, his voice breaking. “I failed you.”

If he hadn’t lost everything in the business, his daughter never would have had to go through this. Over the years, they’d depended on Hugh’s support. He didn’t even feel he had the right to confront Hugh about hurting his daughter.

That night, Bethan stayed at her parents’ place.

When Hugh came home to an empty house, he wasn’t surprised. Bethan was thoughtful like that—of course she’d want to take care of her mom after a hospital stay.

He called his mother to let her know Bethan was back safe.

When Fiona heard Bethan had returned, she and Gwen rushed over but couldn’t find her.

“Her mom just got discharged,” Hugh explained. “She’s staying there tonight.”

Fiona was furious. “Hugh, shouldn’t you be there helping out when her mother comes home from the hospital?”

Hugh shrugged. “Mom, her parents are understanding people. They won’t hold it against me.”

“I’ve thought this through,” Bethan said quietly. “Please don’t try to change my mind.”

Miranda, her eyes still puffy from crying, managed to stay gracious. “Fiona, we’re grateful for everything your family has done for us over the years. But since Hugh’s heart is with someone else, it’s better they end this now before it gets more complicated.”

Fiona left without another word.

She knew this pain. Years ago, Ryan had an affair. She’d stayed—for the children, to protect both families from scandal. Ryan ended it and never acknowledged the child he’d fathered, but his selfishness never went away.

The Cavill men were all cut from the same cloth—ambitious, calculating, and emotionally unavailable.

Her father-in-law Harvey had been like that. Her husband Ryan was like that. And now Hugh was following the same pattern.

She’d watched Bethan grow up. The girl was still young and deserved to be happy.

As a woman, she knew she should let Bethan go.

As a mother, she couldn’t bear to see her son’s marriage fall apart.

Torn, Fiona returned to Hugh’s house.

Seeing him, she felt a spark of hope. “Tomorrow’s Saturday. We’re going to the Olsens’ with an apology and some flowers. You’re going to make this right and bring your wife home.”

Hugh, who’d been dealing with insomnia for days and looked exhausted, rubbed his face. “Mom, I can handle my own marriage. Don’t worry about it.”

“Hugh, she’s talking about divorce!” Gwen burst out.

Hugh’s expression flickered for just a moment before returning to normal.

“You’re being ridiculous,” he said dismissively.