Urging Him to Get a Divorce novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17

She said coldly, “Mr. Henderson, are you upset because you couldn’t take your father’s last

name?”

Gerald froze, then stared at Aveline with a menacing scowl.

Xavier’s hand paused mid–wipe, his eyes widening slightly in surprise as he looked at Aveline.

Aveline turned her gaze away coldly, taking Jasmine’s hand and continuing toward the street.

Jasmine leaned in, curious, and whispered, “His face changed so fast. What did you mean?”

Aveline explained calmly, “His father married into his mother’s family. His brother took their father’s last name, but he took their mother’s. Brielle is his sister–in–law. And since his mother dotes on Tina, Tina also goes by the surname Henderson.”

Jasmine grinned. “Got it.”

These days, taking a father’s or mother’s last name didn’t matter much. But Gerald had mocked Aveline by calling her “Mrs. Beltran,” so her retaliation was well–deserved.

Gerald noticed Xavier was still staring at Aveline’s retreating back, his dark eyes fixed on her.

Annoyed, he snapped, “She’s already far gone. What are you staring at? Aveline is getting more and more out of line, bringing up my family’s business to attack me.

“Before she married you, she acted like a meek lamb. Now she’s showing her true colors. I never knew she had such a sharp tongue.”

Xavier pulled his gaze back, his tone calm, “If you don’t want her talking about your family, stop making fun of her.”

Gerald huffed, “Hmph, she can’t even stand a joke? Look at Josie. Even without an official status, she joins in our laughter like one of us. I really like her easy–going character.”

“If Aveline hadn’t tricked you, Josie would be Mrs. Beltran right now.”

Xavier frowned slightly as he looked at Gerald. But just then, his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen, saw it was Josephine, and answered, “Hello.”

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Chapter 17

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“Darling, are you back from your run? Come have breakfast,” Josephine’s voice came through.

“I’m back. I’ll go upstairs to shower first,” Xavier replied.

“Okay. I’ll save your favorite dishes for you,” Josephine said sweetly.

***

Over the next few days, Aveline didn’t run into Xavier or Josephine again, or any of their group. She guessed that after the celebration party, they must have returned to the city.

Jasmine mentioned to Aveline that the advertisement Josephine filmed for Solara Plaza, a Beltran Group subsidiary, had been trending online for days and had even been submitted to an international contest.

Jasmine scoffed, “Unless Xavier bribes the judges, that advertisement won’t get past the preliminary round.”

Aveline hadn’t searched for the advertisement on purpose. She’d been swamped with site analysis and hadn’t been online much these days. So she hadn’t stumbled across it by accident either.

A week later, when they felt they had fully grasped the site’s details, the three of them headed back to the city.

That evening, after returning home, Aveline took a hot bath to ease her tiredness.

She sat on the bed with her phone, thinking she’d start working on the design plan next. So she might as well ask Xavier to sign the divorce papers tomorrow.

So she sent him a message, “I’m free tomorrow. Are you available in the morning or the afternoon?”

Leaning back against the headboard, she picked up her iPad to flip through an art magazine, hoping to spark some inspiration.

A few minutes later, Xavier called.

Aveline didn’t want to hear his voice, so she didn’t answer.

He could’ve just replied to her message. There was no need for a call.

He’d never been so active in reaching out to her before.

The ringtone cut off, and soon after, Xavier sent a message, “I’m on a business trip. I’ll schedule it once I’m back.”

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Aveline glanced at it, set her phone silently on the nightstand, and turned off the lights to sleep.

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