His Last Command Came Back to Kill Him novel Chapter 26

Whitley took a deep breath. She was going to have to tell her eventually.

She lowered her eyes. "Grandma, we're getting a divorce. It's a mutual decision."

Bonnie’s breath hitched. She stared at Whitley in stunned silence for a long moment.

She knew Whitley well enough to know this wasn't just a petty squabble.

Bonnie's expression darkened into a fierce scowl. "Did that boy do something to hurt you? Because I swear, I will wring his neck."

"No, Grandma," Whitley lied smoothly. "We’ve been married for three years, and it's just... clear we aren't compatible."

Bonnie wasn't born yesterday. She knew Whitley was holding back to protect the family peace. "I'm going to get to the bottom of this. If he’s mistreated you, I'll make sure he answers for it."

"Grandma, really, he didn't do anything," Whitley insisted gently, trying to de-escalate.

Bonnie wasn't having it. Before she turned to head upstairs, she patted Whitley's hand firmly. "Don't you worry about a thing, darling. I've got your back."

Whitley’s throat tightened. In this massive, opulent world of the Sherwoods, Bonnie was the only one who had ever truly shown her any warmth.

A few minutes later, a housekeeper summoned Clive to Bonnie's private study.

Clive pushed the heavy oak door open. Standing tall and impossibly elegant, he offered his grandmother a warm, relaxed smile. "Everything okay?"

Sitting behind her mahogany desk, Bonnie slammed her teacup down, completely ignoring his charm. "Drop the diplomat routine, Clive. We’re not at a press conference."

"Tell me right now—what did you do to Whitley? Why on earth is she asking for a divorce?"

Clive paused, his expression barely shifting.

A few seconds ticked by.

Then, a low, dark chuckle slipped past his lips, the amusement reaching his eyes. "Since when did she learn how to run crying to the adults?"

Those words perfectly coincided with Whitley stepping up to the partially open door.

Whitley turned to meet his gaze.

Clive crossed his legs, leaning back against the luxurious leather, his eyes scanning her face. "If you're upset about something, why go running to my grandmother instead of talking to your husband?"

He reached out, his fingers brushing toward her hair, but Whitley flinched, pulling her head away sharply.

She genuinely didn't understand him. He was madly in love with Yelena, and Yelena was currently carrying his child. Why was he still putting on this affectionate, indulgent act? It was sickening.

The more casually he treated her, the more it felt like he was gaslighting her into believing she was the unstable, dramatic one in the marriage.

His hand hovered in the air for a second. He watched her quietly, showing no signs of anger.

He simply withdrew his hand. "Your temper has certainly gotten worse."

Ignoring his condescension, Whitley reached into her designer bag, pulled out a neatly folded document, and held it out to him. Her voice was utterly devoid of emotion. "Sign it."