Urging Him to Get a Divorce novel Chapter 19

Aveline wasn’t surprised to hear that.

He’d already handed Josephine the Beltran Group ad campaign. That was just the start. He was clearly planning to give her more chances to shine.

Fiona, still hungover, cursed them a few more times before groaning about her headache and hanging up.

With the busy stretch behind them, Aveline’s team had the day off.

She’d planned to grab some groceries in the morning, then visit her grandparents in the afternoon.

But while she was browsing the aisles, the housekeeper Miranda Russell called to say that her grandfather had collapsed.

Aveline dropped her cart and ran out of the supermarket, racing toward their villa.

It was on the southern edge of the city, a peaceful spot her mother had chosen for their retirement.

Aveline’s grandfather had high blood pressure, so along with Miranda, they’d hired a nurse.

By the time Aveline arrived, Miranda was already waiting on the front steps. “Calm down,” she said quickly. “Dr. Logan Levine happened to be here. Your grandfather’s awake, and his blood pressure has come down.”

The tightness in Aveline’s chest cased slightly. “I thought his blood pressure was under control. What happened?”

Miranda hesitated, glancing at her.

Just then, Paulina Baldwin’s voice called from inside. “Ava? Is that you?”

Aveline stepped through the door. “Grandma, it’s me.‘

Paulina stood from the couch, leaning on her cane, her face tight with worry as she shuffled toward her.

“Grandma, just sit there. I’ll come to you.”

Paulina had arthritis, and bad weather always made it worse. She couldn’t walk without her cane.

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08:31

Aveline helped her back to the couch, but Paulina didn’t relax. She studied Aveline closely. “Ava, what happened between you and Xavier?”

Aveline froze, then turned to Miranda.

Miranda spoke up. “Mrs. Beltran called this morning. She talked to Mr. Baldwin for a few minutes, and they had a fight. After he hung up, he was so worked up that his face turned red. and then he collapsed.”

Aveline’s face tightened. “What did she say?”

Miranda looked to Paulina.

“She said that ever since you married Xavier, you’ve gotten arrogant and disrespectful. You refused to try on your wedding dress, kept picking fights with him, disrespected her, and gave your aunt attitude. She told us we should set you straight,” Paulina said, frowning.

Aveline clenched her fists in anger.

She guessed Leona had run to Lauren again.

It was routine now–every few days, Leona made a fuss, and Aveline had to go explain herself to Lauren all over again.

A few days ago, Xavier had asked her to call Lauren. Aveline figured he’d already told her about the divorce, so she didn’t bother.

Skipping that call had consequences. Lauren took it personally and dragged Aveline’s grandparents into it.

Aveline took a steadying breath and said, “Grandma, don’t listen to her. You know me.‘

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Paulina sighed. “Yeah, that’s why Collin collapsed. We know you, and hearing her say all that just set him off.”

Aveline gently rubbed her back. “I’ll check on Grandpa, then talk to Xavier. He needs to sort things out with Lauren.”

Paulina nodded. “Good. Let’s go.”

Logan had just finished checking Collin’s blood pressure as Collin lay in bed.

When Aveline and Paulina came in, Collin tried to sit up. Logan moved to help him.

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Aveline rushed to Collin’s bedside. “Grandpa, please, don’t get up.”

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08:32

Chapter 19

“I’m fine,” Collin insisted, giving her a stubborn shake of the head. “I can handle it.”

He looked at Aveline, lingering as if searching for something in her face.

A twinge of pain struck Aveline, who knew Collin was worried about her.

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Logan assured her that Collin’s blood pressure was normal and quietly left to give them privacy.

Aveline settled at his bedside and took his hand. “How do you feel?” she asked softly.

“Nothing to fuss over. Just lost my temper,” Collin replied. “My Ava’s a good girl. Don’t believe what Lauren says.”

Aveline thought about telling her grandparents that she had decided to divorce Xavier, but the tired lines on her Collin’s face made her keep silent.

She was afraid of upsetting him.

“It’s all Leona feeding lies to Lauren about you. I’ll ask Xavier to set Lauren straight. I’m perfectly fine. Don’t listen to all that gossip.”

Aveline turned to Miranda. “If the Beltrans call, just say Collin and Paulina need their rest. Tell them to call me instead.”

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