Marry Ex's Billionaire Uncle After Divorce (Aurora and Jasper) novel Chapter 173

Chapter 138: The Certificate

(Aurora’s POV)

“We grew apart,” Jasper said. “There was no affection left on either side. It had been over for a long time before we made it official.”

“I see.” Joyce folded her hands. “I think, for something like this, I’d still want to hear directly from Richard. This is his daughter. It wouldn’t feel right for me to give a blessing he hasn’t given himself.”

Sienna’s smile stayed in place, but her eyes went flat. “Grandma, you know how Father is. He takes time to come around. If you show him you support this, he’ll follow.”

“That’s not how your father works, and you know it.”

Jasper tried again, gently. “Mrs. Langford, I want you to know I take this seriously. Whatever happened in my previous marriage – that’s behind me. I intend to do right by Sienna.”

Joyce’s expression softened by a fraction. “I don’t doubt your intentions. But my answer is still the same. Richard first.”

Sienna exhaled slowly. She looked at her grandmother and said, almost casually, “Aurora was never right for him anyway. She was selfish, always chasing money. After the divorce she didn’t even fight for custody of their daughter. She just walked away.”

Joyce held up one hand. “I’d rather not.”

“I’m just saying-”

“I know what you’re saying.” Joyce’s voice was quiet but final. “Let the past stay where it is.”

A pause settled over the room.

Then Joyce said, almost to herself, “I ran into Aurora today, actually. At a home goods store.” She picked up her cup again. “She’s remarried. She told me herself. I even saw the certificate.”

The room went still.

Jasper’s hand stopped moving where it had been resting on the arm of the chair.

“Who got married?” he said.

“Aurora,” Joyce said. “She said she’d just done it today. She showed me the paperwork.”

Jasper stared at her.

He didn’t speak. His hand pressed flat against the chair. His face had gone completely still, the way a face goes still when the mind behind it has stopped processing and is simply holding on.

*Not possible.*

Aurora. Married. Today,

Choate: 1.30: The Cerhitinate

(Author’s POV)

Eleanor closed the study door behind her and turned to face Phineas.

“I need to know,” she said. “Did you actually do it? Is it official?”

Phineas reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulled out a folded document. He held it out to her without a word.

Eleanor took it. She unfolded it carefully, smoothing the creases with her fingers, and read it from top to bottom. Her eyes moved over the signatures, the official seal, the date. Her hands trembled slightly.

“This is real,” she said.

“I told you it was.”

She looked up at him, and for a moment her expression was purely delighted. Then her eyes narrowed. “You didn’t have someone forge this.”

Phineas spread his hands. “Mother.”

“I’m asking.”

“It’s real. The filing is done. You can call the county clerk’s office yourself if you’d like.”

Eleanor exhaled and pressed the certificate against her chest for a moment before handing it back. “Good,” she said. “That’s very good.” She sat down. “Now. Your father.”

“What about him?”

“He’s not going to accept this quietly.”

Phineas shrugged. “He doesn’t have to accept it. It’s already done.”

“Phineas.”

“If he pushes back hard enough, I’ll revise the trust documentation. Add Aurora as a co–beneficiary on the core family fund.” He said it the way someone might mention switching coffee brands. “I’m also considering a board seat for her.”

Eleanor stared at him. “You’d do that just to make a point?”

“I’d do that because she’s my wife.” He paused. “The point would be a bonus.”

Eleanor was quiet for a moment. Then she stood and straightened her jacket. “I’ll handle your father. But before you go-” Her voice shifted, losing its warmth and taking on something more direct. “Aurora has been through a difficult marriage. She’s been hurt. If you ever treat her poorly – if there is ever anyone else – I will not be on your side. I want that to be absolutely clear.”

Phineas met her eyes. “There won’t be anyone else.”

He said it simply, without any of his usual deflection. Eleanor studied him for a moment, then nodded

once.

He left.

She stood in the study for a moment, composing herself. Then William’s footsteps came up the stairs, heavy and purposeful, and she turned to meet him.

He pushed the door open. “Where is he?”

“Gone,” Eleanor said.

“Gone.” William’s face was red. “He just walks in, drops this on the family, and walks out?”

“That does seem to be what happened.”

“Eleanor, this is not a small thing. A divorced woman, no warning, no discussion-”

“William.” She kept her voice pleasant. “The marriage is registered. The certificate is filed. Unless you plan to hire a lawyer and contest it, I’d suggest you pour yourself a drink and make your peace with it.”

He opened his mouth. Closed it.

“She’s already his wife,” Eleanor continued. “That’s the situation. We can be gracious about it, or we can make everyone miserable and accomplish nothing. I know which one I prefer.”

William looked at her for a long moment. He recognized the particular quality of her stillness – the kind that meant she had already decided, and he was simply the last to know. He turned and walked out without another word.

Eleanor allowed herself a small, satisfied smile. She was already thinking about dinner tomorrow.

H