THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 31

Given the situation, Fortune had already made up his mind to cut ties with Ernest—completely, with no loose ends left to trip them up in the future.

Ernest and Iliana, hearing this, could barely contain their delight.

An official agreement to sever all relations!

Why hadn't they thought of drafting such a document before?

Their lives were going so well now, but what if the old man came back someday, dragging Caitlin with him? Up till now, everything had just been talk—no proof, nothing binding. But with a signed agreement, they'd have nothing to worry about.

"Of course we'll sign!" Iliana declared, turning to Bonnie. "Bonnie, go print out a copy of the agreement for us."

Bonnie was a high school senior, and their house had a printer. The internet was full of ready-made templates for this sort of thing, and Bonnie, eager not to be tangled up with Fortune or Caitlin any longer, got to work. In less than ten minutes she'd printed out two copies of the agreement.

When Fortune took the papers, his hands trembled. He looked at Ernest, eyes rimmed red. In that moment, a thousand memories flashed through his mind.

Ernest frowned slightly at the sight. "You're the one who wanted this, Dad. Don't tell me you're getting cold feet now? Let me remind you—words, once spoken, can't be taken back. Whether you want this or not, today, this is happening."

He wanted this over with. He never wanted to be burdened by his father again.

Fortune, hearing this, hesitated no longer. He scrawled his name on both copies, pressed his seal into the inkpad, and stamped the documents, his voice thick with emotion. "Ernest, from this day forward, I have no son."

With that, he turned to Caitlin. "Come on, Catie. Let's go."

Caitlin nodded silently and followed him out.

The door slammed shut with a thunderous bang—Iliana made sure of it, as if she were sealing away a plague.

Fortune stared at the heavy door, then at his son's cold face. His heart ached with a pain no one else could know.

By the time Cheryl got home, Caitlin and Fortune were gone.

"Where's Catie?" she asked, puzzled.

Iliana explained what had happened. Cheryl was furious. How could Caitlin be so ungrateful? After finally marrying into a wealthy family, how could she throw all that away with a divorce? Didn't she realize she was ruining her own daughter's future?

**

Caitlin followed Fortune out of the Chandler's apartment complex. Watching his stooped back, she asked quietly, "Grandpa, are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Fortune said, shaking his head. "Not the least bit upset."

But that was a lie, and they both knew it.

After all, Ernest was his son—his own flesh and blood. Fortune would never have believed, even in his worst nightmares, that such a day would come.

"Grandpa, this is all my fault. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have—" Caitlin started to say, but Fortune cut her off.

"No, Catie. This has nothing to do with you. I raised a heartless son, that's all. In a way, I'm glad this happened—it's opened my eyes to who he really is. I'm still able-bodied, I can still work, still earn my own keep. If I'd waited until I was helpless to rely on him—that would've been truly hopeless."

He looked at Caitlin, his expression full of guilt. "If anyone should apologize, it's me. I wanted to help you find a good school, give you the best environment to learn in. But in the end…"

His voice trailed off, shame flickering in his eyes.