THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 970

When people are at their lowest, the first person they want to turn to is always their mother.

But with parents alive, life has a path forward. When parents are gone, life is only a journey to the end.

Keeley had no parents to cry to. All he could do was come to his mother's grave, clutch the cold headstone, and weep uncontrollably. "Mom! I'm useless in this world now. Take me with you. Please, just take me with you, okay?"

No one knew the depth of his sorrow. He had endured enough of life's hardships. He had thought his later years would be filled with happiness. He never imagined that in his old age, he would face betrayal twice.

His sobs eventually subsided, and exhausted, Keeley fell asleep leaning against the headstone. In that moment, it felt as though he had returned to his childhood, safe in his mother's arms.

When Keeley awoke again, it was dusk. The sky was growing dark.

With no other options, Keeley found a bridge to take shelter under for the night. When he was hungry, he rummaged through trash cans.

In just half a month, Keeley had transformed from a spirited, well-kept old man into a filthy, unkempt one. His once straight back was now stooped and bent. Ashamed of what he had become, he didn't dare to make eye contact with anyone.

That night, back under the bridge, Keeley took out his broken phone and whispered to it tearfully, "Fortune, what are you doing right now? Me? I brought this all on myself. I wonder if we'll ever get to see each other again in this lifetime."

It was summer now, and though it was hot, he could survive under the bridge for the time being.

But what about winter? The winters here were brutal, with temperatures dropping well below freezing. After eating garbage for two weeks, Keeley could feel his strength failing. He knew he didn't have much time left.

He had no more wishes, except for one: to see Fortune and Caitlin one last time.

"Oh, God," Keeley's voice trembled, "can you grant me this one last wish?"

Boom!

A clap of thunder echoed through the sky, and the heavens opened up in a torrential downpour.

For Keeley, it was going to be another sleepless night.

--

Normally, Fortune and Keeley kept in touch at least once a week. Sometimes he would call Keeley, and sometimes Keeley would call him. But for the past two weeks, he hadn't been able to reach him at all. No replies to his voice messages, and his calls went unanswered.

It made Fortune wonder if his own phone was the problem. Keeley just wasn't the type to not respond.

"Can you call anyone else?" Caitlin asked, using Fortune's WhatsApp to call her own number.

A moment later, the sound of Caitlin's ringtone filled the air.

Caitlin ended the call and looked at Fortune. "Grandpa, your phone is fine. Maybe Keeley's phone is broken?"

Fortune shook his head. "I don't know! But even if his phone was broken, it's been so long. He should have had it fixed by now! And even if he got a new phone, he wouldn't change his WhatsApp number."

He paused, his brow furrowed as he voiced his concern. "Catie, do you think Keeley might be in some kind of trouble?"

Fortune had known Keeley since he first arrived in Silverhaven.