Urging Him to Get a Divorce novel Chapter 12

She then turned to Aveline, smiling gently, “Aveline, since you’re here, why not come to the party tonight? Josie’s first commercial was a hit. She’s having a party to celebrate.”

Aveline thought, “So that’s what Gerald meant by celebrating.”

Aveline lowered her eyes, her lips pressing into a thin line.

She let out a sigh, struck by how kind and attentive Xavier was to Josephine.

If she hadn’t already made up her mind to divorce and sent over the agreement, she wouldn’t know how to face this now. She’d surely be drowning in pain.

Valentina heard her mother’s invitation but noticed Aveline hadn’t responded. She took Aveline’s hand and shook it lightly. “Aveline, come to the party! Xavier mentioned there’ll be plenty of delicious food, lots of fun, and even fireworks!”

Leona’s son, Mason Prevost, had been staring at Aveline with obvious impatience. At Valentina’s words, he snapped at her rudely, “Tina, didn’t you hear what my mom said?

“Josie didn’t invite her. Xavier and Josie don’t even want to see her. Mom said everyone’ll be unhappy if she’s around.”

Jasmine stared at Mason in shock.

He looked only six years old, but his words were so harsh. She couldn’t tell if he was just badly raised or had been taught to speak this way.

The sweet–talking Valentina beside him was a year or two younger, yet so much kinder and cuter.

Aveline, however, was used to Mason’s hostility. Leona had never been kind to her, and Mason always picked up on that.

Seeing Valentina bite her lip unhappily, Aveline stroked her hair softly. “Tina, I’m here just for work, so I can’t go to the party. I wish you and your mom a good time, okay?”

Valentina was a sensible child. Hearing Aveline talk of work, she nodded. “Aveline, I haven’t had your risotto for so long. When I get a holiday, I’ll go to Winslow Heights. Promise me you’ll cook it for me, will you?”

Aveline froze.

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She had no idea how to tell Valentina she’d moved out of Winslow Heights, nor did she know how to explain the adult matter of divorce to a child.

Brielle and Xavier would tell her eventually, so Aveline just smiled and said nothing.

She then said goodbye to Brielle, took Jasmine’s arm, and walked toward the hotel entrance.

Leona and Brielle took the children to the presidential suite on the 18th floor. As soon as they walked in, Leona exclaimed, “Aveline’s here too. Did you all know?”

Brielle knew Leona had never liked Aveline. She frowned but said nothing.

Gerald and Josephine were sitting on the living room sofa. One was sipping wine, the other picking at a fruit platter.

Xavier stood by the floor–to–ceiling window. Upon hearing Leona’s words, he said nothing. he simply stared out the window and sipped his wine slowly.

Gerald laughed, “Leona, Brielle. You ran into her, too? Did she give you that cold stare like she

did me?”

Leona snorted. “You bet. She didn’t even bother greeting me. She’s more arrogant than the cartoon figure from Duolingo. Josie, did you tell her about the party? How else would she know you’re having a celebration here?”

Josephine’s lips curled into a barely noticeable sneer. She said in a disdainful tone, “Leona, you know how Aveline is. She’s never liked me being with Xav. Why would I dare tell her?”

Valentina listened to the adults‘ conversation, then pouted unhappily. “Josie, Aveline said she’s here for work. Her friend said so too.”

Mason hated that Valentina was contradicting his mother. He snapped at her, “She’s lying. Only a fool like you would believe her.”

Valentina glared at him. “Aveline would never lie. She never lies to me.”

With that, she ran over to the floor–to–ceiling window and tugged at Xavier’s hand. “Xavier, Aveline wasn’t lying. I told her the party has good food and fireworks, and I invited her to come. But she said she’s here for work.”

Xavier looked down at her and smiled softly. “Really? Alright, I get it.”

He turned his gaze back to the window.

Valentina was curious about what had caught Xavier’s attention, so she moved closer to the

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