Chapter 7
The Cross estate.
Evan’s mother wrapped Claire in a protective hug, then turned a frosty glare on her son.
“I knew it–girls with no family never learn proper values.”
“She’s blowing up our whole family over some petty little thing!”
“If you ask me, just agree to the damn divorce. She wants money?”
“Fine. Give it to her. Get rid of that gold–digger and marry Claire already.”
Claire blushed at her words, lowering her gaze but sneaking a glance at Evan.
But Evan’s brow stayed furrowed.
He did like Claire, sure.
But divorce? That had never been part of the plan.
Now that it was out in the open, he glanced at Claire’s hopeful eyes… and found himself speechless.
Claire was the perfect partner in bed–there was no denying that.
Compared to me, all stiff and reserved, Claire was an expert in seduction.
But if he needed someone to be Mrs. Cross?
Well, after three years of smoothing out the rough edges, I was the better choice.
He was a businessman.
He knew how to delegate, and he knew exactly who was right for what role.
That’s why he hesitated.
“Mom,” Evan said slowly, “Claire just got back from overseas.”
“She needs time to get used to how things work in the family.”
“For now, maybe Raine should-”
Claire clenched her fists.
Her snow–white dress crumpled beneath her tightening grip.
That gentle rejection shattered her sense of victory.
She’d seen Evan treat me with complete/indifference.
She’d also seen how obsessed he could be with her.
So why–why wouldn’t he give her an official title?
Could it be… Evan actually had feelings for me?
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Chapter 7
Evan’s mother noticed the shift in the room and quickly tried to smooth things over.
“Right, right. Claire just got back.”
“Let him show you around town, meet some people.”
“It’ll help build your relationship.”
Evan followed her lead and added casually,
“There’s a gala at the Beaumont Tower at the end of the month.”
“Get ready–I want you to come with me.”
Claire’s eyes lit up.
That was the most elite event of the season.
An invitation meant she was on the fast track to becoming Mrs. Cross.
At the gala, Claire turned heads the second she walked in–some surprised, some impressed, others clearly judging.
But word was, my lawyer attended the gala too–as one of the top legal reps in the country.
He told me Claire’s face that night was priceless.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
No wonder the next day I received the finalized divorce agreement.
To protect their reputation, the Cross family had spun the story: Evan and I were long divorced, and Claire was the new matriarch–in–waiting.
Turns out, money really can make the impossible happen.
Even something as messy as our divorce–once the price was right, lawyers handled everything.
Even a full–blown PR crisis–once the right people got paid, it disappeared.
I sipped the chicken soup my housekeeper had just brought in, tapped a few keys on my phone, and made the final transfer.
The last message from my lawyer said, “Congrats on the single life.”
I smiled.
Back when I first left the country, I still secretly wondered–would Evan try to win me back?
But the more evidence my lawyer sent me, the faster that tiny flicker of hope burned out.
He and Claire went flower–crowning in Napa, horseback riding in Montana, scuba diving in the Keys, chasing the northern lights in
Alaska…
In every photo, Evan looked at Claire like she was his whole world.
Smiling soft, like he never had with me.
I thought about the only picture we ever took together–him in a tux, staring coldly at the camera, like someone forced to take a mugshot.
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Chapter 7
Yeah. That smile of his really stung.
As I was thinking, my housekeeper laid a soft blanket over my shoulders, eyes filled with concern.
“Don’t be sad, honey. You’ve got me. I’m not going anywhere.”
Maggie, my housekeeper, was about the same age as my mom when she passed.
But Maggie had it worse.
She’d come here illegally just to afford treatment for her son.
And even with the job, her wages weren’t enough to buy his meds.
When I heard her story, I hired her full–time at a high salary.
Her son was still in the hospital, but he was finally getting better.
And after she learned what I’d been through, she held me even closer.
Sometimes I wondered…
Maybe Mom never really left me.
Maybe she just came back in a different form.
