THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 30

Ernest had to admit, his wife made a good point.

These days, when young couples get married, isn't it standard for the parents to buy them a new place? That's just how things were done now.

So really, this was something his father owed him.

If his father couldn't pay it back, then having Caitlin do it wasn't unreasonable at all.

"You're right, Iliana," Ernest said, voice rising with conviction. "Dad, you owe us this! You raised me, so it's your responsibility to take care of me now!"

"Oh, wonderful!" Fortune let out a laugh, though his eyes flashed with anger. "You're really something, Ernest. I'm still up on my feet and you're already treating me like this—what's going to happen when I'm old and helpless? Are you just going to turn your back on me completely?"

Iliana shot Fortune a sidelong glance, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Don't you have Caitlin? She's about to start college, bound for great things. When you're old and can't look after yourself, your precious granddaughter will be there for you, won't she?"

She went on, "Ernest married into my family, remember? That means he's got nothing to do with the Kensingtons anymore. If anyone's going to care for parents, it'll be mine, not yours."

Iliana had no intention of looking after Fortune in his old age. She'd kept her mouth shut before, hoping to benefit from Caitlin marrying into the Chandler family, but now that dream had evaporated. It was time to speak her mind.

Ernest nodded in agreement. "Dad, you knew what you were agreeing to when I married into Iliana's family. Once I did that, I became someone else's son. It's not right for you to expect me to look after you now. Besides, didn't you raise Caitlin? Whoever you raised should be the one to care for you—so why are you holding me responsible?"

Fortune felt a chill settle deep inside him. He'd always thought that, since his son had married into another family, Ernest had little standing at home, so he'd rarely asked him for anything. Even when things got tough, he'd shouldered it alone.

Only now did he see the truth: Ernest wasn't lacking status—he was lacking a conscience.

It took Fortune a long moment to gather himself before he let out a weary sigh. For Caitlin's sake, he decided to swallow his pride. "Ernest, I've never asked you for anything your whole life. Just this once, consider it a favor. No matter what's happened, Caitlin helped you get your new house. Can't you help her out in return?"

He'd do anything if it meant Caitlin could go to college and have a future.

But Caitlin stepped forward before Ernest could reply. "You don't need to beg him, Grandpa. I'll take care of you when you're old. I'll get into Central Academy on my own, and I'll buy my own place. Let's go home."

Ernest and Iliana both let out cold, dismissive laughs.

Central Academy? Buy her own house? What a joke.

With that thought, Ernest stepped forward and looked Fortune squarely in the eye. "Since you've said it so clearly, there's nothing left for me to say. From this day on, I'm a Hadley in life and in death. When I'm gone, I won't be listed in the Kensington family records. Let's just go our separate ways, for good."

Fortune had thought, perhaps, his son would hesitate or try to take back his words. But clearly, Ernest had wanted to cut him off for a long time. This outcome suited him perfectly.

This was the son he'd raised with such care—how pathetic. How laughable.

Fortune's legs nearly buckled. Caitlin stepped up to steady him, her gaze cold as she looked at Ernest. "You'll regret this, turning your back on Grandpa."

Regret? Ernest could hardly believe her arrogance.

He met her eyes with a mocking sneer.

Iliana shot Caitlin a dismissive look and said without restraint, "Regret? Don't flatter yourself. Cutting ties with people like you is the best thing that's happened to us. Who do you think you are?"

Caitlin nodded calmly. "Then let's put it in writing—a formal agreement to sever all ties. That way, certain people can't come crawling back to Grandpa when they need something."