Chapter 15: I’ve Decided to Divorce
The air froze.
Three people stood in tense silence.
Evelyn Carter and Annabelle Taylor stood apart, with Alexander Hamilton between them.
Evelyn’s lips twisted into a bitter smile. What an ironic scene.
A cliché love triangle straight out of the melodramas she despised.
“Oh my, isn’t that Alexander?”
An elderly woman in a wheelchair approached, pushed by a middle-aged lady.
Alexander nodded politely. “Grandma Wen, Auntie Wen.”
Before he could introduce Evelyn, Annabelle eagerly clasped the old woman’s hands. “Grandma Wen, you look radiant today!”
The woman beamed. “Annabelle, still as sweet as ever.”
Auntie Wen gasped. “Mom, you’re so alert today! Just last week you barely recognized me.”
“How could I forget Alexander’s little wife?” The old woman patted Annabelle’s hand. “He used to follow her everywhere—carrying her backpack, buying her snacks…”
Auntie Wen paled, hastily pointing at Evelyn. “Mom, you’re mistaken. That’s Alexander’s wife.”
The woman stubbornly shook her head. “Nonsense! I don’t even know that girl. Alexander, tell her!”
Alexander’s brow furrowed as he opened his mouth to explain.
“Alexander!” Annabelle tugged his sleeve, her voice sugary. “Remember that rainy day we took shelter under Grandma Wen’s eaves?”
The old woman nodded enthusiastically. “Yes! You held your jacket over her head while you got soaked. Even then, I knew you’d grow into a devoted man.”
Auntie Wen stamped her foot. “Mom, stop this—” She shot Evelyn an apologetic glance. “Please don’t mind her, she’s—”
Annabelle cheerfully interrupted. “Auntie Wen, you weren’t home that day. Grandma lent us her umbrella.”
Auntie Wen froze, giving Evelyn a helpless look.
Evelyn said calmly, “It’s fine.”
The old woman kept rambling. “Soon you’ll be parents! How time flies…”
“Mom!” Auntie Wen hastily wheeled her away. “We’re late for the hospital. Alexander, do visit us soon.”
As they left, Auntie Wen gave Evelyn an awkward nod—without even knowing her name.
Annabelle waved enthusiastically. “Bye, Grandma Wen!”
Evelyn met Alexander’s gaze briefly before silently sliding into the backseat.
The door slammed shut.
Vivian Dempsey had been right. How could she compete with twenty years of history?
This backseat was her answer—she’d surrendered the front to them.
Alexander hesitated.
Annabelle already buckled herself into the passenger seat. “Hurry up! We’ll miss our sushi reservation.”
Alexander remained still.
“Even Dr. Carter doesn’t mind,” Annabelle pouted. “Why the hesitation?”
As the engine roared to life, Evelyn turned toward the window.
Through the rearview mirror, Alexander’s conflicted expression spoke volumes.
His sigh was drowned by the engine’s growl.
Her phone buzzed.
Vivian’s text: “On your way?”
Evelyn typed: “I’ve decided.”
A string of question marks followed.
Her fingers tapped: “Divorce.”
……
The resort lobby glittered with opulence.
The receptionist smiled. “Our deluxe suites are $1,000 per night.”
Alexander said, “Two rooms.”
Annabelle arched a brow. “Why two?”
“My wife and I will share one. You’ll have your own.”
Annabelle crossed her arms. “You’ve changed. In high school, you wouldn’t even let me into your room.”
“We were teenagers.”
“Prude.” She turned to the receptionist. “Make it three.”
Alexander frowned. “We’re married—”
“Cheapskate!” Rolling her eyes, Annabelle told the receptionist, “Three rooms. Final answer.”
The receptionist glanced at Alexander uncertainly.
Annabelle snatched the keycards. “He does what I say.”
She frowned at the allocation. “Why two on the 8th floor and one on the 2nd?”
The receptionist explained, “It’s peak season—”
“A standard suite? Unacceptable!” Annabelle waved dismissively, shoving a keycard at Evelyn. “Second floor’s closer to the restaurants. How convenient.”
