When She Ended It With Divorce (Chiara and Titus) novel Chapter 172

Chapter 172

By the time Titus came out, Chiara had already changed Ryan into fresh clothes. The moment Ryan spotted Titus, he immediately reached out his little arms toward him. “Hug…” Ryan said, his voice full of excitement.

Chiara glanced at Ryan, then at Titus. Titus looked back at her. “Did you teach him to recognize me?”

Chiara shook her head. “No, I didn’t.”

“Really?” Titus raised an eyebrow.

Chiara stayed silent. It was the truth. Titus chuckled and walked over, scooping Ryan up into his arms again. Ryan immediately burst out laughing.

“Guess some bonds just can’t be broken, huh?” Titus said.

Chiara glanced at him but kept quiet. She was about to leave the room when Titus grabbed her wrist. Chiara frowned and looked back at him, her annoyance written all over her face.

Titus noticed but didn’t let go. “Can I take him to stay with me for a few days?”

Chiara didn’t refuse, just tugged at her wrist in his grip. “Where exactly are you planning to take him?”

Titus still didn’t let go. “If you’re worried, we’ll go to Goodman Manor.”

Chiara really didn’t feel comfortable letting Titus take Ryan away on his own, but if he was bringing him back to Goodman Manor, she’d be completely at ease. “Sure,” she agreed without hesitation. Ryan was a boy, and she knew she had to learn to let go.

She wasn’t just someone from the Lynch family; she belonged to the Goodman family as well. Chiara knew that better than anyone. No matter if Titus ever remarried or had more children, Ryan would always be the Goodman family’s firstborn.

“Can you let go?” Chiara said.

Titus gave her a deep look and tugged her a step closer. Chiara pursed her lips and looked up at him, her tone calm and unruffled, showing no sign of anger.

“If you have something to say, just talk to me straight,” she said, finally managing to pull her wrist free with some effort. “And even though you’re Ryan’s father, we’re divorced now. You have a girlfriend, so I’d prefer if we kept some distance between us,” she added.

Titus stared at her, his gaze deep and unreadable. At home, she looked simple and gentle; a beige slip dress with a matching cardigan, her hair loosely clipped up, a few wisps falling around her face, giving her an unadorned elegance.

She was nothing like the radiant and glamorous Yvonne, but if the two of them stood together, they’d be equally captivating in their own ways.

“So what do you mean by a safe distance?” Titus asked.

Chiara looked at him calmly. “I don’t want surprises like today to happen again. Whenever you want to see Ryan, just let me know ahead of time, so things don’t get awkward for everyone.”

Titus smirked knowingly. “Was today awkward for you?”

Chiara stayed silent, and her face remained neutral. She wasn’t embarrassed at all; honestly, the only ones who felt awkward were the Goodman family and Yvonne.

“Really? I didn’t notice anything.” Titus replied.

Chiara glanced at him, meeting Ryan’s curious gaze. She pressed her lips together and turned to leave, obviously not wanting to discuss adult matters in front of Ryan.

Titus watched Chiara walk out of the room before turning his attention back to Ryan. Titus gave Ryan’s nose a playful tweak and whispered, “Isn’t she a bit tough on you?”

Ryan just flashed a big grin. After dinner, when Adele heard that Chiara was sending Ryan to stay at Goodman Manor for a few days, she was grinning from ear to ear.

Adele might have been reserved around most people, but she absolutely doted on her grandson. That old saying about grandparents loving their grandkids the most proved itself true.

Heather didn’t mind at all. “Let me drive you guys over.”

Chiara nodded. “Okay, I’ll go pack up the things Ryan will need.”

“Chiara, we’ve got everything ready at home, so you really don’t need to bring too much,” Adele reminded her.

Chiara nodded. “Alright, I got it.”

It had been nearly three years since Chiara returned to Goodman Manor. Debby took her hand, chatting as they walked. “Feels like nothing’s changed, right?”

Chiara glanced around and nodded. “Yeah, it all looks the same as ever.”

Ryan woke up as soon as they got out of the car. He dozed off the minute they hit the road; rush hour traffic meant he napped in the backseat for a good half hour.

When Heather and Chiara said their goodbyes, Ryan started to cry and throw a fit, clearly panicked at the thought of his mom leaving. He kept calling out for her with his little voice, trembling.

Chiara’s heart just shattered at the sound, and Adele’s heart went out to Ryan, too. With a heavy sigh, Adele reluctantly suggested, “Looks like Ryan just isn’t ready to be away from you. Why don’t you take him back home for now?”

Heather shot Chiara a look, and Chiara nodded, stepping forward to take Ryan. But Ryan just wrapped his arms around Titus’s neck and wouldn’t let go. It was obvious he wanted both his mom and dad right there with him.

Everyone went quiet, not knowing what to say. Chiara, for once, had no idea what to do. She tried coaxing

him, but nothing worked.

Chiara was getting a headache, and Debby glanced at the two of them before suddenly speaking up. “Why don’t you stay the night, Chiara? Let Ryan settle in a bit,” Debby suggested.

Chiara went quiet, her heart aching at Ryan’s tears. She shot Heather a helpless look. Heather glanced at Chiara and Ryan, then finally looked over at Titus, who hadn’t said a word. “Just stay tonight. said.

Heather

Adele, seeing how things were, gently encouraged Chiara to stay until tomorrow, so Ryan could settle in. Chiara had no choice but to stay the night for Ryan’s sake, her heart aching as she gave in.

Before heading out, Heather patted Chiara’s shoulder. Chiara gave her a reassuring smile, telling her not to worry. Ryan got curious about the new place again. Once he saw both his mom and dad were there, the tears dried up and he calmed down.

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