The Transactional Marriage That Imploded novel Chapter 137

Mathis froze, entirely at a loss for words.

His gaze shifted to Bianca, but her expression remained completely impassive. It was as if she wholly agreed with her grandmother's sentiment.

A sharp ache pierced his chest.

She really was done with him. Even if he dragged out the divorce, they were locked in a marriage where both their hearts and minds had already checked out.

Smiling triumphantly from behind him, Milo quickly stepped up and gently supported Mabel.

He even whispered conspiratorially, "Once you get settled in Austin City, just call me if you need absolutely anything. I'll be there in a heartbeat."

Mathis's phone buzzed. He stayed behind as the others headed down the hall. Just from the sickly sweet tone of his voice, Bianca knew instantly it was Cynthia.

It made her stomach turn.

"Have fun being a master of time management, Mr. Jagger," Milo tossed over his shoulder as he swaggered away.

On the other end of the line, Cynthia had recognized Milo's voice. "Are you with Bianca and her friends?" she demanded.

"Yeah."

Terrified that the two of them might reconcile, Cynthia quickly pivoted. "Mathis, Lamont was just saying he wants to check out the toy store downtown. Will you come with us?"

"Sure."

Mathis hung up and stared out the window, watching them load into the waiting cars below.

Even in the past, Bianca had rarely needed his help. But now, with Milo and Simon firmly in her corner, he had become entirely obsolete.

The thought of Simon made his eyes darken.

He pulled out his phone and dialed Simon's number. "Let's grab a drink tonight."

Knowing that some things needed to be dragged out into the open, Simon agreed.

Milo sighed heavily. "Man, fate really has it out for you."

He couldn't help but feel that his chances with Bianca had plummeted even further. Not only was she a divorcee, but now she was going to be a single mother.

A part of him wanted to march up to Mathis and scream the truth, but since Bianca wanted it kept secret, he forced himself to swallow his anger.

He couldn't stand the thought of making her cry. Every time she shed a tear, his own chest ached.

"I actually had my lawyer draft up a separation agreement a few months ago," Bianca explained. "Mathis has no idea. Once the legally mandated separation period in this country is up, I can finally divorce him."

Hearing just how determined she was to leave Mathis actually put a spring in Milo's step.

"If he already bought Cynthia a marital home, why is he still dragging his feet?" Milo asked.

Cillian had a theory for that. "It's because you and Bianca were trending online. It triggered his possessive streak.