Trick Him Into Divorce, Then Flee With His Unknow Kid novel Chapter 349

Chapter 349: Chapter 349 The Surprise

Rose blinked.

"Huh?"

For a second, she didn’t understand what Trevor meant.

Then it clicked.

He wasn’t asking for a tour of her apartment.

He was asking for something much more ordinary—and much more significant.

They were engaged.

Yet despite everything they’d been through together, they had always kept a respectful distance. Their relationship had grown through trust, not romance. They had never crossed into each other’s personal lives the way most couples naturally did.

Trevor wanted to change that.

Slowly.

Rose rubbed the back of her neck, feeling unexpectedly self-conscious.

He had done so much for her.

If she couldn’t even invite him upstairs for a glass of water, it would seem unnecessarily formal.

She took a small breath.

"If you’re not in a hurry..."

She stepped aside and smiled awkwardly.

"...I’d love to have you up."

Trevor caught the nervousness behind her smile.

He chose not to point it out.

Instead, he simply nodded.

"Thank you."

Rose tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and headed toward the building entrance.

Trevor followed a few steps behind.

*****

Across the street...

A black sedan rolled quietly to a stop.

Ryan rested one hand on the steering wheel.

His gaze settled on the apartment entrance just in time to see Rose and Trevor disappear inside together.

They were talking about something.

Rose smiled.

It wasn’t a bright laugh.

Just a small, relaxed smile.

Even so...

It was enough.

Ryan lowered his eyes to the invitation resting on the passenger seat.

It had arrived less than an hour earlier.

The Robinson family’s invitation.

Ariel Robinson’s birthday celebration.

Personally delivered by Julia Robinson.

He had originally planned to stop by tonight.

Perhaps ask Rose why she had invited him.

Perhaps ask what she wanted him to understand.

Now...

There didn’t seem to be any reason.

He glanced once toward the lit apartment building.

It was just after nine o’clock.

A man.

A woman.

Going home together.

His expression remained unreadable.

After several long seconds, he tossed the invitation back onto the passenger seat.

Started the engine.

And drove away without looking back.

*****

Meanwhile...

Rose and Trevor waited outside the elevator with several other residents.

It was the busiest time of the evening, and every car that arrived was already full.

Finally, an empty elevator opened.

Rose stepped inside.

When she turned around, Trevor was still standing in the doorway.

He hadn’t moved.

She looked at him, confused.

"Aren’t you coming?"

Trevor smiled.

It was small.

Warm.

The kind of smile that softened the seriousness he usually carried.

"I know."

Rose blinked.

"I know you’re still uncomfortable."

She stared at him.

He continued gently, "I was teasing you earlier."

"I’m not trying to rush you."

"You don’t have to force yourself."

He stepped into the elevator just far enough to keep the doors from closing.

Then he lifted a hand.

For a brief second...

Rose thought he was going to hug her.

Instead...

He simply brushed a few loose strands of hair away from her face before giving the top of her head an affectionate pat.

"Good night, Rose."

Before she could react, he stepped back out.

The elevator doors slid shut.

Rose remained standing inside as the elevator carried her upward.

She stared blankly at the closed doors.

Somehow...

She felt both relieved...

And slightly embarrassed.

She had spent the last few minutes worrying that inviting Trevor upstairs might send the wrong message.

Instead...

He had been the one thinking about her comfort the entire time.

For the first time since agreeing to marry him...

Rose felt herself relax.

*****

Three days later...

The Robinson family’s luxury resort hotel had been transformed into a fairy tale.

Today was Ariel’s birthday.

It was also the first time Rose would officially welcome guests as Ariel’s mother.

She had been awake since early morning.

Changing outfits.

Trying different hairstyles.

Second-guessing every decision.

Eventually...

She chose a floor-length ivory satin gown.

The structured silhouette was elegant without being overly formal.

She kept her jewelry simple.

The only statement piece she wore was the sapphire-and-diamond brooch Trevor had given her.

It completed the look perfectly.

By four o’clock that afternoon, Trevor’s driver arrived to pick her up.

The celebration was already underway when she reached the resort.

As Rose stepped out of the car...

She stopped.

Ryan was standing near the entrance.

Oliver was beside him.

"The people who are meant to be together always find their way back."

He looked at the picture of Ariel.

"They even had a daughter."

Then his smile disappeared.

"And sometimes..."

"You spend years with the wrong person..."

"...and it still isn’t enough."

With that, James walked into the ballroom.

Oliver stood there completely bewildered.

He looked from James to Ryan.

"Would somebody please explain what either of you is talking about?"

Ryan simply walked past him.

"There’s nothing to explain."

Oliver sighed.

He knew perfectly well there was.

No one was willing to tell him.

*****

The ballroom was already crowded.

Business leaders.

Old family friends.

Political figures.

Longtime clients.

The Robinson family had spared no expense.

Ryan quietly scanned the room.

He didn’t see Ariel.

Instead, he stepped away into a secluded hallway and made a phone call.

"Increase security."

His tone was calm but firm.

"I want personnel at every entrance."

"No unauthorized guests get inside."

He paused.

"And keep an eye out for Samantha Hill."

"People with nothing left to lose make desperate decisions."

Today’s celebration had already attracted widespread media attention.

Reporters had gathered outside the resort despite not being allowed inside.

If the press knew about the party...

There was every chance Samantha did too.

Ryan wasn’t willing to take unnecessary risks.

After ending the call, he took one last look around.

The additional security he’d quietly arranged blended seamlessly with the resort staff.

No one from the Robinson family seemed to realize they were there.

Satisfied, he turned toward the ballroom.

As he passed a side corridor...

A partially open service door caught his attention.

Voices drifted through the narrow opening.

Ryan slowed.

Then stopped.

Through the gap...

He saw hundreds of long-stemmed roses arranged throughout a private banquet room.

Trevor stood in the center, speaking to the event planner.

"After the birthday cake..."

He looked toward a velvet box resting on the table.

"Bring in the flowers."

"My daughter will carry the ring."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"I’m going to propose to Rose."

"It’ll be a surprise."