THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 318

Seeing Harlan apologize, Yara’s anger softened. She turned to Liam and said, “See? I told you he was just putting on an act.”

Then she looked back at Harlan. “Go upstairs and change your clothes. Once you’re ready, come down—we're going to church soon.”

“Yes, Mom.” Harlan nodded obediently.

Half an hour later, with the help of a housekeeper, Harlan had washed up and changed into fresh clothes before coming downstairs.

After breakfast, Liam and Yara took Harlan to the church to light candles and pray for blessings.

It was Monday, the first day of the new year.

The church was crowded with people offering prayers.

Yara knelt on a pew cushion, palms pressed together, her voice earnest and low: “God, please watch over my son Harlan. Let him work hard and do well in the coming year. Please, don’t let him worry me.”

Liam and Harlan knelt beside her, bowing their heads in prayer.

Once the candles were lit, Yara and Liam led Harlan outside.

Just as they stepped out onto the church steps, they spotted Hannah, Keira, and Caitlin—a grandmother, mother, and granddaughter trio.

Liam was the first to greet them. “Happy New Year, Hannah, Keira, Miss Freya.”

Yara followed suit, offering her own cheerful hellos.

Even Harlan, usually shy with strangers, looked up at Caitlin and managed a polite, “Happy New Year, Miss Freya.”

“Happy New Year, Harlan,” Caitlin replied, pulling a small gift from her coat pocket and handing it to him. “I hope you stay healthy and happy all year long.”

“Thank you, Miss Freya,” Harlan said, taking the gift with both hands, his manners impeccable.

But as Caitlin watched him, she noticed something wasn’t quite right. She looked up at Liam and Yara, concern clouding her face. “Mr. Somerset, Mrs. Somerset, Harlan’s condition seems to be getting worse. Haven’t you taken him to the hospital for surgery?”

She couldn’t help but think their attitude was astonishingly cavalier. How could these parents not take their child to see a doctor when things were this serious?

Yara smiled tightly. “Harlan’s been taking Heartsteady Elixir lately—no need for surgery or all that hospital fuss. Besides, he’s about to move up to third grade; we can’t just pull him out of school at such a crucial time.”

Keira nodded. “People don’t learn from advice—they only learn from consequences.”

—

Harlan climbed into the car with his parents.

The driver sat up front; the three of them settled in the back.

Harlan broke the silence. “Dad, Mom, I really like Miss Freya. Can I visit her house sometimes?”

“You like her? Why?” Yara frowned.

“Because she’s amazing.” Caitlin had seen immediately that something was wrong with him, while his own parents didn’t believe him. His mother only ever told him to study hard, but Caitlin wished him health and happiness—and she was beautiful, too. “She’s really nice. And she’s pretty.”

Harlan meant it—he really liked Caitlin.

Yara’s voice tightened. “You should choose your friends wisely, Harlan. You should look up to outstanding people. Ann is the kind of friend you should have—not someone like Caitlin. She married young, got divorced in a flash, and couldn’t even get into college. I don’t want to hear you talking to her again, understand?”