Shattered Vows: Call Me Auntie Now novel Chapter 30

Malicious gossip would tear through their social circles, dragging the Hayes family's reputation through the mud.

She had meticulously weighed all her options before going out of her way to intercept Quinn today.

Quinn stared back coldly, refusing to back down. "My relationship with Dante is shattered permanently. Divorce is inevitable, so there is no reason to drag this out."

She had also thought about his company going public, but why should she care?

Wasn't Dante supposedly madly in love with Vivienne? Over a mere IPO? If he wanted to be with the love of his life early, he should be more than willing to take a small financial hit.

"Shattered permanently?!" Quinn's total apathy enraged Mrs. Hayes, and her words turned even more vicious.

"Quinn Yates, you were the one who clawed your way into the Hayes family like a starving dog! And now that we're about to go public, you decide to stir up this divorce drama at the most critical second?! Are you deliberately trying to ruin my son?!"

Quinn replied coolly, "I have never wanted to ruin him. We can't stand living together anymore, so we're splitting up. It's as simple as that."

Mrs. Hayes raised her voice, employing a heavy-handed mix of guilt and threats. "Have you forgotten where you came from? When you were trapped in the Yates family, who was the one who pulled you out of the dirt?! If it hadn't been for Dante's grandmother, you might not even be alive right now!"

She slammed down her ultimate trump card, weaponizing every word to hold Quinn's conscience hostage.

"When you were being relentlessly abused by Cynthia Yates and had absolutely nothing, it was Dante's grandmother whose heart bled for you! She protected you, she sheltered you, and in the end, she forced Dante to marry you just so you could finally escape those monsters!"

"And now that she is old, her health has completely deteriorated, and she is recuperating out in the countryside! She can't handle a single shock. Even if you insist on divorcing, shouldn't you at least give her the grace of a little time to accept it?"

"It's one thing to want a divorce, but forcing it at this exact second—are you trying to literally kill her?! Did a dog eat your conscience?!"

At the mention of Dante's grandmother—the sweet, elderly woman who had only ever looked at her with pure, unconditional love—Quinn's fingertips trembled.

Her becoming Mrs. Hayes was entirely because the old matriarch had bulldozed every single objection from the rest of the family to protect her.

Quinn remembered it vividly. The old woman had gripped her hands tightly, declaring in front of the entire outraged family, "Quinn lost her mother when she was just a child. She has been brutally bullied and forced to survive on the scraps of the Yates family's mercy. She has suffered enough."

"I know you all turn your noses up at her background, but when it comes to her character, manners, intelligence, and grace, she is absolutely flawless."

"I came from nothing too. It wasn't until I married Dante's grandfather that my life turned around, and you all know it. Quinn has captured my heart, and having her as Dante's wife is a massive blessing for him."

At the end of her speech, she had looked at Quinn with such profound pity. "As for the Yates family, Quinn, you never have to fear them again. From now on, the Hayes family is your fortress. I'd love to see anyone dare lay a finger on you now!"

...

Even after all these years, the memory of that day still made Quinn's eyes sting with tears.

Just as expected, Quinn closed her eyes for a second, then gave a slow, defeated nod.

"Fine. I agree to delay the announcement by two months," she said, before pausing. "But you have to agree to two conditions."

Mrs. Hayes arched an eyebrow. "What conditions?"

"You have to help me finalize the divorce certificate as quickly as possible behind closed doors."

Dante had blown her off repeatedly, and she was done waiting. Filing a lawsuit for divorce was far too messy and would completely sabotage her focus on her career.

Mrs. Hayes nodded, agreeing instantly. "That's easy. In three days, I'll have someone deliver the finalized papers directly to your hands."

"Second condition. I get full custody of Leo."

The older woman, who had just looked ready to negotiate anything, instantly bugged her eyes out as volcanic rage rushed to her head.

"What did you just say?!" Noticing the bizarre looks they were getting from the other tables, she quickly lowered her voice, but her words still hissed viciously through gritted teeth.

"The sole heir of the Hayes family, given to you?!"