Divorced Dazzling and Desired novel Chapter 35

**Chapter 35**

“A divorce?”

The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. Adam’s smile evaporated as if it had never existed. He stood frozen, his eyes wide with disbelief, staring at her as though she had just uttered the most absurd thing imaginable. Moments later, a laugh escaped him, almost nervously, as he playfully pinched her cheek.

“Come on, honey. Don’t joke around,” he said, his voice light and teasing, attempting to coax a smile back onto her face.

He enveloped her in his arms, resting his chin gently atop her head, a familiar gesture that usually brought comfort.

“Renee, I love you,” he murmured softly, his breath warm against her hair. “From the very day we exchanged vows, I promised you… with us, there’s no such thing as divorce. Only death.”

As those words sank in, she felt her body tense, her cheek pressed against the solidness of his chest. His warmth, usually a source of solace, now felt stifling. A familiar scent enveloped her, but instead of comfort, it churned in her stomach, creating a knot of unease.

His declaration struck her like a slap, a painful reality that echoed in her mind, relentless and unyielding. Oddly enough, her face remained unscathed, yet her heart throbbed painfully, twisting in her chest, robbing her of breath.

Renee inhaled deeply, her instincts pulling her gaze toward Jasper, who stood at a distance across the sprawling golf course. But before she could fully focus on him, she was met with a piercing, hostile glare.

Kayla.

Even from afar, the animosity radiating from her was palpable, a dark cloud hovering over the scene.

The summer day had been a capricious one, shifting from bright sunshine to ominous clouds in mere moments. A gust of wind swept across the golf course, bringing with it the first droplets of an unexpected downpour.

As the guests scrambled to clamber into the lined-up golf carts, Adam suddenly seized her wrist, leading her directly toward Jasper’s cart with a determined stride.

“Mr. Zeller, the other carts are all packed. Would it be alright if Renee joined you?”

Jasper leaned back, his posture relaxed, running a hand through his slightly damp hair. He turned his head, casting a cool, assessing glance at Adam. One eyebrow arched ever so slightly, a subtle acknowledgment of the tension in the air. A faint, enigmatic smile curled at the corners of his lips.

“Suit yourself,” he replied, his tone nonchalant.

Renee sat in stunned silence, the weight of his words pressing down on her.

Previously, she had viewed Jasper as merely cold and arrogant, but now, it was evident that he was not only astute but also merciless. Each word he spoke felt like a sharp jab to her gut, leaving her reeling.

“Well, Mr. Zeller, I suppose you only appear—”

She caught herself just in time, almost letting slip a remark about him looking old but inexperienced. Instead, she held her tongue, aware that he could be a significant investor.

Quickly shifting her focus, she asked, “So, are you genuinely considering collaborating with the Spencer family?”

Jasper turned to her, his eyes dark and inscrutable. “You were just negotiating with me on behalf of Genome Tech. Who exactly are you representing now?”

That question left Renee utterly flabbergasted, her mind racing to find a suitable response, but she could only blink in surprise.