Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 75

Stephanie went inside and headed straight for the third floor.

But her head was so heavy and clouded that she felt like she had no bones. The moment she entered the room, she collapsed onto the bed.

She'd had drinks the night before, too, but it hadn't been like this.

It had to be that plum wine; it had a stronger kick than she realized.

Vaguely, she remembered that she was supposed to have moved into a hotel. She tried to get up, but the bed's pull was too strong.

After several failed attempts, Stephanie finally gave up, closed her eyes, and fell back asleep.

Downstairs, Jonathan sat in the brightly lit living room.

He lit a cigarette and took a slow drag, his eyes fixed on the top of the third-floor staircase.

He chain-smoked several cigarettes, but there was no movement from upstairs.

It seemed she had passed out the moment she walked in.

It took him a while to compose himself.

Fate had certainly played a cruel joke on him.

How was this even possible?

A few minutes later, Jonathan called Steven. “Are you here yet?”

“Yes, just pulling up to the gate now.”

As he spoke, the doorbell rang.

Jonathan snatched the file from Steven's hands.

Steven had no idea why Jonathan would summon him in the middle of the night to bring the divorce papers he had signed yesterday.

He couldn't help but ask, “Is there a problem with the document? Do any of the terms need to be changed?”

Jonathan didn't answer, merely flipping to the last page.

A familiar name came into view. “Stephanie” was signed in neat, elegant script, easy to recognize.

Jonathan's gaze lingered on the signature for a moment, then he abruptly tore the two signed copies of the Divorce Agreement to shreds.

Steven stood beside him, stunned. What was going on?

She searched the entire house, but it was completely silent. It seemed no one was home.

Stephanie breathed a sigh of relief. It looked like nobody knew she had stayed the night here.

She went upstairs to get her phone from the bed and saw a message that had come in late last night.

Steven: [Ms. Jackson, Mr. Vasquez has decided to put the divorce on hold for now. You can continue to live in the house for as long as you like.]

The message was sent at two in the morning.

Stephanie found it strange and replied: [Why?]

In the conference room, Steven saw the new message on his phone and glanced at Jonathan, who was leading the meeting.

He walked over and quietly placed the phone in front of him.

Why? Steven didn't know either. He was just relaying his boss’s orders.

Jonathan saw the message and a small smile touched his lips. He typed on the screen with his finger: [Because Mr. Vasquez said the divorce is off.]

Stephanie pursed her lips and typed back: [But didn't you say he was abusive? No divorce? And I'm supposed to keep living here? Do you think I'm stupid enough to wait for him to come and beat me?]