THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 253

Although this was Willis’s first time meeting Caitlin, just seeing her filled him with a warm, inexplicable affection—deeper even than what he felt for his own son.

Hearing his younger brother’s response, Warren nodded in agreement. “I feel the same way. This girl has to be one of the Richardses!”

Jade smiled. “Let’s hope things finally work out this time.”

Nineteen years had passed. It was time for them to be reunited with Freya’s family.

Kelley looped her arm through Jade’s. “If that girl isn’t Freya, I’m claiming her as my goddaughter!”

Jade immediately protested, “Kelley, how could you say that! I was thinking the same thing—if Dr. Kensington isn’t Freya, then I want her as my goddaughter too!”

“How can you say that, Jade? I brought it up first!”

“Well, it’s what I was thinking!”

The two sisters-in-law bickered heatedly over who would get to claim Caitlin as their goddaughter.

Warren could only shake his head in exasperation. “Alright, enough, both of you. Neither of you is getting to claim her as your goddaughter.”

“Why not?” Jade and Kelley turned to him in unison.

Willis answered before Warren could. “Because Dr. Kensington is definitely one of the Richardses. No doubt about it!”

Kelley tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Honestly, I hope she is Freya too, but we’ve seen so many girls over the years who looked just like Carey, and every time, it’s ended in disappointment. I’m just afraid…”

She didn’t finish, but everyone understood.

Willis narrowed his eyes. “This time is different. I know it.”

—

Caitlin swiped her keycard and stepped into her hotel room.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Celeste Hayes hurried over. “Catie, you’re back!”

Caitlin nodded. “Yeah, March. Did you go out this morning?”

“I did! I found this amazing little shop around the corner.” Celeste grinned. “Hey, how about we go there for afternoon tea later?”

The Richards family wanted to thank Caitlin for saving Hannah. Celeste knew tagging along would be out of place.

“It’s fine, March,” Caitlin said with a smile. “They know I’m here on vacation with a friend and insisted I bring you.”

“Really, Catie, you should go by yourself. It’s your first time visiting the Richards family. Wait until you know them better—then I’ll tag along and meet all the handsome men. If I went now, I’d just feel awkward.”

And that awkwardness would be hard to shake.

Seeing her friend’s resolve, Caitlin nodded. “You sure you won’t get bored here alone tomorrow?”

“I’ll be fine! I had a great time on my own today.”

“Alright then.”

That afternoon, the two of them went out for tea. The pastries in Neon Spire weren’t just delicious—they were works of art.

Best of all, they were sweet—just the way Caitlin liked it. She polished off two whole dessert plates in one go, leaving Celeste gaping. “Catie, aren’t you worried about gaining weight, eating so much at once?”

Caitlin just grinned. “If I put on a few pounds, I’ll just work it off. Life’s too short not to enjoy good food. If you can’t indulge in what you love, what’s the point?”