THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 327

If Liam had just gone to check on Harlan, maybe Harlan wouldn’t have missed his best chance for treatment.

She was at fault in this.

But Liam wasn’t innocent, either!

If Liam were just some stranger, maybe it would be different.

But he wasn’t.

He was Harlan’s father.

Liam wasn’t going to dump all the blame on her. She wouldn’t let him.

Not a chance!

Liam reeled from the sting of Yara’s slap, his mind spinning. He lifted his hand, wanting to strike her back, but as he glanced at their son lying so still beside them, the urge faded. Instead, he held Harlan tightly, sobbing.

Just yesterday, his little boy was full of life—now, he was gone forever.

How was he supposed to bear this?

“Harlan, I’m so sorry, buddy. Dad should have protected you. I failed you…”

Yara wrapped her hands around Harlan’s small fingers, pressing them to her lips, kissing him over and over. Scalding tears streamed down her cheeks and onto Harlan’s hand.

“Harlan, I’m sorry. Can you ever forgive Mommy?”

“I was wrong, baby. I’m so sorry!”

“If I’d known you were really sick, I would’ve brought you to the hospital right away. I promise I would have…”

But Harlan was gone.

No matter how many times Yara apologized, he couldn’t hear her.

He couldn’t hear anything.

Regret gnawed at her, relentless. Every time she pictured her little boy suffering before he died, her heart twisted with remorse.

Before long, the conversation shifted to painting.

Ann grinned. “Speaking of oil painting, Freya is actually quite the artist! Freya, didn’t you say you’re talented in just about everything—music, art, you name it?”

Caitlin was feeding Monday a little snack when she heard Ann’s pointed remark. She only nodded mildly. “I know a little, I suppose.”

Ann’s eyes glittered with sarcasm—what a revolting little country girl. She actually dared to admit it, too. Shameless!

One of the guests, Arthur Walsh, smiled and said, “Miss Gonzales, you’re truly impressive. I sent my own daughter to art lessons, but she never had the patience for it. Miss Gonzales, what level have you reached in oil painting?”

Arthur Walsh was Crestport’s wealthiest man and a longtime business partner of the Gonzales family. Tonight, he’d brought his wife all the way from Crestport just to pay New Year’s respects to Keira.

In the past, Keira never allowed visitors for New Year’s. Every year on Monday, she would lock herself in the chapel, praying for her son and his family, refusing to see anyone.

But this year was different.

She’d found her granddaughter at last, and the joy was obvious. And when her granddaughter said she could help wake Keira’s son, Keira’s hope soared even higher—she almost seemed years younger.

“I suppose I’m at level nine,” Caitlin replied.