The Transactional Marriage That Imploded novel Chapter 97

Cynthia clung to Mathis's arm. "Mathis, Lamont mentioned how much he loves this city. Could you buy him a house here?"

She had already arranged for her family to bring Lamont over first thing in the morning.

Ignorant of the ironclad prenuptial agreement between Bianca and Mathis, Cynthia thought that by securing real estate directly in her son's name, Bianca wouldn't be able to claim a single penny of it in a divorce settlement.

Mathis nodded without hesitation. "Of course. We'll take Lamont house-hunting tomorrow. Whatever he likes, we'll buy. Don't worry about the price tag."

Cynthia beamed and threw herself into his embrace.

Down the street, Bianca and Milo were walking away from the restaurant. The evening breeze carried the cool, refreshing scent of the ocean, stripping away the daytime heat.

Bianca seamlessly slipped her hand out of Milo's arm.

"Thanks for stepping in back there."

Milo watched her with a fond smile. He knew she was only putting on an act to antagonize Mathis, but having her hold onto him had sparked a genuine thrill in his chest.

"No need to thank me. Now, about that walk through Honey Park?"

Bianca shook her head. "No, thanks. Seeing those two thoroughly ruined my appetite for fresh air. I just want to go home and sleep."

Milo frowned, genuinely confused. "After everything he's put you through, are you telling me you still care about him?"

Bianca looked up at his face. He possessed such a youthful, vibrant energy that it made her think back to the first time she had met Mathis.

She had been twenty, and Mathis twenty-two. Even then, he had carried none of that carefree youthfulness.

She used to think it was love at first sight, a destined romance. Looking back, she realized it was just a naive infatuation with a handsome face.

Miraculously, the encounter didn't ruin her night. She slept deeply and peacefully, not waking until noon the next day.

She was relieved she had pre-ordered Milo's launch-day gift online: the latest professional gimbal camera setup.

She wasn't great at buying gifts for men. Over her three years of marriage, she had meticulously chosen a scarf, a pair of cufflinks, and a luxury watch for Mathis's birthdays.

But Milo was just a friend. Intimate gifts were off the table.

The launch event for Milo's new game was styled like a sprawling ancient temple. Gorgeous models dressed in intricate fantasy costumes were preparing to take the stage.

Mia Vaughn was already there, her face sunburned and peeling as she vented her frustration. "My client is a psychopath. He dragged me out to play golf all morning in this heat. I thought I was going to pass out."

The September sun in Austin City was still punishingly brutal.