Urging Him to Get a Divorce (Aveline and Xavier) novel Chapter 788

**TITLE: A Divorce**

In “A Divorce,” Marcus found himself grasping at the delicate threads of hope, convinced that the breakfast invitation was a sign—a glimmer of opportunity to mend the rift that had torn his marriage to Leona apart. Perhaps, just maybe, this would be the moment when they could begin to heal the wounds that had festered for far too long.

Yet, as he settled at the table, a gnawing realization crept in: this breakfast was not a genuine attempt at reconciliation but rather a carefully orchestrated charade meant to shield him from embarrassment in front of their children. It was a courtesy, a thin veneer of civility masking the chaos that lay beneath.

The atmosphere around the table was thick with tension, each clink of cutlery echoing the unspoken words that hung heavily in the air. Just then, the doorbell rang, shattering the fragile silence. Leona’s heart raced at the sound, her instincts honed to the arrival of Jacob and Josephine. Her hand trembled, the spoon slipping from her grasp and clattering against her plate, a sound that seemed to punctuate the growing unease.

With a glare that could cut through steel, she shot a look at Marcus, her expression a storm of disdain and suspicion. It was a look he had come to dread, a silent accusation that spoke volumes.

The tension was palpable, and even the children sensed it. Xavier and Aveline, who had keys and access codes, rendered Jacob and Josephine’s entrance through the front door unnecessary. The butler, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, glanced at Rupert, who sat at the head of the table, his face an inscrutable mask. With a slight nod, Rupert commanded the butler to answer the door, his authority unspoken yet deeply felt.

“Brielle and Patrick,” Rupert instructed, his voice firm and unwavering, “take Lily and Mason outside to play.”

He turned his gaze toward Jonathan’s family, his expression leaving no room for debate. “You all should join them.”

Aunt interjected quickly, her voice laced with concern, “Jonathan was in the car for two or three hours last night; he’s still exhausted. We’ll stay in for now.”

Jonathan remained silent, his face a canvas of fatigue. Jason, ever the dutiful son, nodded in agreement, resigned to the situation.

Brielle, understanding the unspoken intention behind Rupert’s words, acquiesced. She recognized that the Patriarch wanted the children safely out of earshot, away from the impending storm.

Mason, his brow furrowed in confusion, voiced his concern, “Maternal great-grandfather, I haven’t finished eating.”

Lily chimed in, “I haven’t finished either.”

Patrick, quick to adapt to the situation, suggested, “How about I take you to gourmet street for a treat? We can grab something delicious there.”

Excitement sparked in the children’s eyes, their cheers filling the room at the prospect of a culinary adventure.

But Mason, still puzzled, looked around the table for reassurance. “Maternal great-grandfather, Grandma, Mom, and Dad, aren’t you coming with us?”

Lily echoed his question, “Should we go ask Uncle and Auntie to join?”

Leona snapped, her patience fraying at the edges, “What on earth would you call them for? Mason, go outside and play with your aunt and uncle. I’ll find you later.”

“Mom, is something wrong?” Mason asked, his innocent eyes searching for answers, a flicker of worry crossing his young face.

“Yeah, we have some matters to sort out. I’ll come for you once it’s resolved,” she replied, her tone brokering no argument, leaving little room for further inquiry.

With that, Brielle and Patrick guided the two children out of the dining room, just as the butler swung the door open to reveal Jacob and Josephine standing on the threshold, their presence a catalyst for the brewing storm.

Lily, ever the polite child, greeted them cheerfully, “Josie, Mr. Sutton, good morning!”

Marcus, never having witnessed Rupert’s fury before, felt a wave of terror wash over him. He scrambled to his feet, his heart racing, and bolted from the dining room, desperate to escape the tempest that threatened to consume him.

In the living room, Josephine was in tears, her sobs echoing through the space as she insisted, “I didn’t set Marcus up! I thought he was taking me home when I got in his car, but instead, he brought me to a house he owns and forced me!”

A flash of anger ignited within Marcus. “You’re fucking bullshitting!” he exclaimed, incredulity etched across his face, disbelief mingling with rage.

Josephine pressed herself against Jacob, her demeanor fragile and fearful, as though seeking her father’s protection from Marcus’s wrath.

“Leona, if you don’t believe me, you can pull the security footage from the bar’s parking lot that night. Marcus didn’t seem drugged by me at all,” she pleaded, her voice trembling with desperation.

Leona’s chest tightened with fury, her teeth clenched in frustration. She had watched that very video countless times, and it was painfully clear that Marcus was indeed sober.

Jacob glanced toward the dining room, concern creeping into his voice. “Where’s the Patriarch? And your mother? We need them to ensure justice for Josie.”

In the aftermath of the explosive confrontation, the weight of the morning’s events settled heavily on Marcus and Leona. The breakfast table, once a place of familial unity, had transformed into a battleground, exposing the raw wounds of betrayal and mistrust that had festered beneath the surface. As Leona’s fury echoed in his ears, Marcus felt the fragile thread of hope he had clung to begin to fray. The realization that he was not the victim, but rather a participant in this painful unraveling, struck him like a blow. He had hoped for reconciliation, yet the reality of their fractured relationship became undeniable. The air, thick with tension and unresolved emotions, left him questioning whether any semblance of their former life could ever be restored.

For Leona, the confrontation was a turning point. Her anger, while fierce, was rooted in a profound sense of betrayal that had been ignited by Marcus’s actions. In that moment, as she faced Jacob and Josephine, she understood that the path ahead would not be one of reconciliation but rather a painful journey toward liberation. The children’s innocence, juxtaposed against the chaos of adult conflicts, served as a stark reminder of what was at stake. As she resolved to confront the reality of her marriage, Leona felt a flicker of strength ignite within her. The emotional arc of their relationship had reached a climax, and as she stood at the precipice of change, she knew that the decision to move forward would not only redefine her life but also set a new course for her family.

In the next chapter, readers can expect the storm to fully unleash as tensions reach a boiling point. With Marcus fleeing the dining room in a panic, the atmosphere grows increasingly charged, and the stakes become higher than ever. Leona, fueled by her rage and desperation, will confront Jacob and Josephine with a ferocity that could either shatter the fragile bonds of family or ignite a fierce battle for truth and justice. As accusations fly and secrets are laid bare, the dynamics between the characters will shift dramatically, forcing them to confront not only their relationships with one another but also the consequences of their actions.

Moreover, the arrival of the Patriarch, Rupert, will add another layer of complexity to the unfolding drama. His authoritative presence looms large, and his decisions will have profound implications for everyone involved. Will he choose to mediate the chaos, or will he exacerbate the conflict with his unwavering stance? As Marcus grapples with the fallout of his choices, he must navigate the treacherous waters of guilt and redemption while trying to reclaim his sense of self amidst the whirlwind of accusations and betrayals. Readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eager to discover how the characters will respond to this emotional upheaval and what paths they will take in the wake of the revelations that lie ahead.