Trick Him Into Divorce, Then Flee With His Unknow Kid novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Chapter 17 The Date Was All a Lie

James had come over with good intentions, hoping to offer a few words of comfort.

Did Rose really not know when someone was trying to help?

He couldn’t help frowning.

At the same time, he felt his decision to chase after her was completely ridiculous.

It was as though he’d been bewitched.

****

Rose didn’t spare a second thought for James’s reaction.

After going downstairs, she arrived at the so-called VIP dining area.

But there was no one there.

The server who had previously informed her that her date was waiting hurried over again.

"Miss Bennett, I’m sorry. I was only following my manager’s instructions."

Rose wasn’t foolish.

She immediately pieced everything together.

This so-called "date" had probably never existed.

Margaret had orchestrated the entire charade.

First, she had arranged for Rose to run into Ryan in the private suite.

Then, by inventing a nonexistent man, she had likely hoped to spark a little jealousy.

Clearly, Margaret still hadn’t given up on bringing them back together.

Unfortunately, she probably never imagined things would unfold this way.

The stage she’d carefully prepared didn’t contain just Rose and Ryan.

It also contained Samantha—the woman Ryan had already chosen.

Rose turned to the server.

"It’s fine. You can get back to work."

She had come tonight intending to clarify things anyway.

Since the mysterious date didn’t exist, it saved her the trouble.

Truthfully, she understood that Margaret’s efforts weren’t necessarily driven by affection.

The older woman was simply worried about what would happen to the Knight family if Rose and Ryan divorced.

After all, Ethan hadn’t committed a serious crime.

The family had already pulled strings behind the scenes.

He might be released sooner than expected.

Margaret feared unexpected complications.

But whatever schemes the Knight family had planned, Rose couldn’t bring herself to care anymore.

Since she was already here, she certainly wasn’t going home hungry.

Life couldn’t revolve around emotions.

She needed to live for herself.

Who could survive an entire lifetime relying on something as fragile as love?

Rose ordered her favorite meal.

Then she sat down and ate quietly, one bite at a time.

She ignored the curious glances from people passing by.

Perhaps they thought it was pathetic for a woman to dine alone in a place like this.

Rose disagreed.

For years, Ryan had spent most of his time overseas.

She had always been alone.

After finishing dinner, she headed downstairs to call a ride.

Her car was an ordinary sedan she’d purchased years ago.

At the time, she’d wanted to prove to the Knight family that she wasn’t interested in their wealth or status.

Besides, she’d never been someone who enjoyed extravagant spending.

The car had served her for many years.

Now it was old enough to develop occasional mechanical problems.

Most of the time, it sat parked in the garage of the apartment building she rented.

People were much the same.

Time didn’t erase flaws.

Instead, it acted like a mirror, gradually exposing every crack and weakness until eventually everything lost its former shine.

The night wind was merciless.

It stung her face like needles.

Rose checked her ride-hailing app.

Just then—

Click.

The metallic snap of a lighter sounded beside her.

She turned her head.

Ryan stood several feet away.

At some point, he had appeared without her noticing.

His suit jacket was draped over one arm as though the freezing wind had no effect on him.

The collar of his white dress shirt fluttered in the breeze.

His sharp jawline tilted slightly upward as he casually glanced in her direction.

Rose hadn’t expected to run into him after dinner.

Even after seven years of marriage, standing alone together only a few feet apart felt strangely unfamiliar.

Ryan appeared to be waiting for someone.

Or perhaps for a car.

He didn’t seem particularly bothered by what had happened earlier.

Nor did he speak.

Just as Rose assumed they would quietly go their separate ways, Ryan suddenly asked, "Have you found a house yet?"

The question struck directly at her biggest source of guilt.

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