The Transactional Marriage That Imploded novel Chapter 113

"No," Bianca quickly reassured her. "I haven't lost my mind. He said he wanted to stay the night, and I told him to get out. I just saw him smoking downstairs. I don't know what kind of act he's pulling, but he’s constantly acting like he's starring in a movie. He shouldn't be in business; he should be in Hollywood."

The mere mention of Mathis ruined her mood, so she quickly changed the subject. "Let's not talk about him. When you guys arrive the day after tomorrow, I'll drive to the airport to pick you up."

"I'm on the same flight as Cillian, and his parents are coming too," Xanthe noted. "Will your car have enough room?"

Bianca thought for a moment. "I'll have the company driver bring the company van. We can all fit."

"Perfect."

Xanthe asked to see how big her bump was getting. Bianca went into her bedroom, lifted her sleep shirt, and showed her on camera. Xanthe marveled that the baby would be born in just over five months.

Xanthe had been spending her days reading up on pregnancy tips, compiling them into lists, and sending them to Bianca. The gesture warmed Bianca's heart immensely; she memorized every single piece of advice.

"Xanthe, I'm so lucky to have you."

"I'm the lucky one," Xanthe countered. "You're letting me stay in this gorgeous luxury apartment for free. I must have saved a galaxy in my past life to end up as your best friend."

As they laughed, Xanthe turned serious. "You absolutely cannot let Mathis find out you're pregnant, or getting that divorce will be completely impossible. I've realized he just wants to string you along while playing house with Cynthia. Rich men are so twisted."

Bianca agreed entirely. "Yeah, he won't find out. His entire heart is focused on another woman. He doesn't care about me."

They chatted a bit more before hanging up.

"Yes, you know I've always been purely transactional," Bianca fired back. "So stop wasting your time on me. Stop trying to balance a wife and a mistress by buying her a house while transferring the Begonia House to me. Giving her Fall Gala gifts and me cheap blind boxes. I don't need your pity, and I don't need charity from some billionaire. I can survive perfectly fine on my own. Please, just leave me alone."

Mathis stared at her cold, unyielding face. "Are we just going to stay separated forever?"

"We can get a divorce right now," Bianca said calmly. "There was never any love between us anyway, and you've found your true love. Me stepping aside is the best outcome. No one will ever know the woman you love was the other woman. Isn't that the perfect solution?"

Bianca shot him a sideways glance. His face was chillingly stoic. She couldn't understand why he was acting this way, and she didn't want to.

She was long past the days when she loved him deeply.

"I know you hate me because you think I married you for money," she continued. "But for three years, I never once defied you. I did my absolute best to please you and take care of you. A marriage without love is just making do; only a marriage with love can actually last. We've wasted three years, and it's time to set things right. You go be with your true love, and I'll focus on my career. From now on, we're just strangers."