**Chapter 57**
“Laura,” Arabella called out, her voice filled with warmth as she straightened up the living room. With Jayceon by her side, she made her way upstairs to his suite, eager to see her friend. As soon as she spotted Laura, she enveloped her in a heartfelt embrace, feeling the familiar comfort that only true friendship could provide.
Laura, with her poise and elegance, took a moment to appreciate the cozy atmosphere. She was a celebrity, and though the years had added a touch of maturity to her appearance, her sense of style was impeccable. She radiated a vibrant energy that filled the room. Sitting down, she looked at both Jayceon and Arabella, her expression shifting to one of wistfulness. “What a shame,” she sighed, her voice tinged with longing. “I’d be even happier if I had a baby to call me Grandma Laura.”
Jayceon exchanged a knowing glance with Arabella, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes. “When Arabella and I finally have a baby, you’ll be the first to know, Laura,” he promised with a playful grin.
Laura chuckled lightly, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “You two have been married for three years now. It’s about time you started working on that family!”
Jayceon’s gaze remained fixed on Arabella, a silent agreement passing between them. “Laura’s right. I’ll work on it,” he said, his tone earnest, though Arabella felt a twinge of discomfort at the conversation.
Arabella couldn’t bring herself to feign enthusiasm like Jayceon. The thought of motherhood was complicated for her, and she didn’t want to ruin the moment with her own reservations about their marriage. Instead, she gently steered the conversation in a different direction. “Laura, when are you planning to head back to Zelmere? You have to let me know.”
Laura, who had squeezed this visit into her hectic schedule, smiled. “Don’t worry! The next time my tour brings me to Zelmere, I’ll make it a point to stay with you for a few days. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
After a delightful ten minutes filled with laughter and shared stories, it was time for Laura to leave. Jayceon and Arabella walked her to the elevator, the atmosphere still light and cheerful.
As the elevator doors slid shut, Arabella felt an unexpected weight settle on her shoulders. She shook off Jayceon’s hand that had rested comfortably on her shoulder, needing a moment of space.
But Jayceon was quick to react, grasping her wrist firmly, halting her movements. “Arabella, we need to have a serious talk,” he insisted, his tone shifting from playful to serious.
She attempted to free herself from his grip, but he tightened his hold, an intensity in his gaze that made her heart race. “Are you going to walk on your own, or do I have to carry you?” he challenged, his voice low and steady.
Arabella glanced around, feeling the weight of their surroundings, then shook off his hand with determination. “Let go of me. I can walk on my own,” she replied, her voice firm.
They returned to the suite, the door closing behind them with a soft click that echoed in the silence. Arabella stood by the living room sofa, her demeanor icy. “Jayceon, I want a divorce. This isn’t a whim or a tantrum. I genuinely want to leave you,” she stated, her voice unwavering. “I assume you’ve seen the divorce agreement. I’ll pay you back the 150 million dollars within a month. Beyond that, I have nothing more to discuss.”
Jayceon’s hand, resting lightly on the back of the sofa, tightened unconsciously. He knew all too well how much Arabella’s parents cherished her, and the thought of her pain twisted his heart.
Taking a step closer to her, he placed his hands on her shoulders, searching her eyes for a glimmer of hope. “Arabella, please tell me what I need to do to convince you not to go through with this divorce,” he implored, desperation creeping into his voice.
Arabella shook her head, a sadness enveloping her. “Jayceon, it’s too late for anything you could do. Every time I think about you rekindling your relationship with the woman you love, and that you two have a son together, it breaks something inside me,” she confessed, her voice cracking.
“Besides divorce, there’s no other way for us,” she added, her resolve hardening.
In a moment of weakness, Jayceon pulled her into his embrace, holding her tightly as if she might slip away. “Arabella, I know this isn’t fair to you, but if you could just accept Georgina Carrillo and her son as part of my life, I would transfer all my assets to you!” he pleaded, his voice filled with urgency.
Trapped in his embrace, Arabella felt a mix of emotions swirling within her. “Jayceon, even if you did that, I can’t stop you from spending money on them, or from being good to them,” she replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. “I’ve grown up. I’m not that naive little girl anymore who would do whatever you said. You can’t fool me anymore.”

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