The Transactional Marriage That Imploded novel Chapter 118

He had practically mapped out all of Bianca's little schemes. He knew her deepest desire right now was to divorce him.

Looking out at the bustling crowds in the airport, Mathis suddenly felt like his heart had been hollowed out.

Bianca was pregnant with another man's baby. For a moment, he genuinely didn't know what to do with her.

That night, he asked Simon Jennings and Payton Mills out for drinks. But Simon replied, "I'm in Austin City with my sister. I'll catch you next time."

"Alright," Mathis said, not overthinking it. Payton joined him.

Swirling the whiskey in his glass, Payton observed him. "You're acting weird. You usually don't drink." He carefully tested the waters. "Is this because of Bianca's rumors?"

Mathis didn't answer. He just kept drinking.

To him, the alcohol only made him feel colder.

"Honestly, with the Wilder family's status in Austin City, there is no way they'd let their only son marry a divorced woman," Payton reasoned. "You don't need to worry about Milo Wilder."

Mathis turned his head and looked at him like he was an idiot. "Aside from her family background, in what universe does Bianca not absolutely outclass that rich frat boy Milo?"

"So this is about her." Payton was stunned. "Wait, I thought you didn't even like her? Cynthia already had your kid. You're not actually going to dump her, are you?"

Payton had a great impression of Cynthia. He saw her as a proper heiress, even if her family wasn't quite at the Jagger family's level. She was highly educated, beautiful, and in his eyes, infinitely better than the cold, arrogant Bianca.

Mathis threw his head back and drained the burning liquor in one gulp. "No."

He turned and walked away, the word sounding more like a desperate reminder to himself.

When he got home, he opened the app on his phone. The screen was pitch black—Bianca wasn't home.

The night he went to her apartment, he had secretly planted a hidden camera in her living room.

Right now, Bianca was out to dinner with Simon and Hailey. Hailey was practically vibrating with excitement.

"Bianca, every time I talk about computing with you, I learn so much! The latest patent you hold is for core applications—would you be interested in expanding on it?"

She shook her head.

It suddenly dawned on Bianca that throughout their entire marriage, Mathis had never taken her out. He never accompanied her shopping, never took her traveling.

Every gift he gave her was bought by Quincy. It was nothing like the attentive, hands-on care he showered on Cynthia.

Thankfully, she was no longer trapped in the illusion of her unrequited love.

She could pour her soul into her career, books, hobbies, and exploring the world—everything except him.

Investing in him only led to utter disappointment.

Hailey was feeling spontaneous and insisted on sleeping over at Bianca's that night, claiming she felt a deep connection with her.

"Will she be too much of a bother?" Simon asked.

He knew Bianca was pregnant, which meant having a guest could be exhausting.