Chapter 253
Nate took a sip of his wine.
“To be honest, I didn’t see it coming either. But I can’t believe Sharon asked Carter for 100 million! She’s got some nerve.”
The private room was dimly lit. Shadows were cast across Julliard’s face, making his expression unreadable.
Nate kept rambling. “Isn’t there supposed to be a cooling-off period before a divorce is finalized? I’ll bet anything she’s not actually going through with it…”
Just as the words left his mouth, the door to the room opened again. Carter had arrived.
This get-together had been arranged by Nate. He’d been recovering from an injury and a near-disfigurement, hiding from the public eye for weeks and growing restless. With Julliard just back from a business trip, Nate took the chance to gather everyone together.
“You’re back,” Carter said calmly as he sank into the sofa.
“Yeah.” Julliard nodded, eyes scanning Carter’s face. “Nate told me you and Sharon filed for divorce?”
Carter’s brows drew together slightly, just a flicker-but enough to catch. A trace of irritation settled into his expression. “It isn’t finalized yet.”
Julliard’s eyes narrowed slightly. He caught the undercurrent in Carter’s tone. “Carter… you don’t actually want to divorce Sharon, do you?”
Before Carter could answer, Nate cut in with a scoff. “Are you serious? Sharon’s just a housewife with a middle school diploma. What’s there to hold on to? Carter’s been dying to get rid of her!”
Nate smirked. “Carter, don’t give her that 100 million so easily. Let her learn how miserable life can be after divorce.”
Julliard, seated to the side, tried to mediate. “Carter, your kid’s already grown. If you two split, what about Theo? No matter what, Sharon’s still his mother. No one else will care for him like she does.”
Carter’s face darkened. He picked up the glass in front of him and downed it in one go. His movements carried a quiet
frustration.
“She’s the one who brought up divorce.”
“What?!” Nate nearly shouted. “Don’t buy into that. She’s just playing hard to get! Once the cooling-off period’s over, she won’t go through with it. No way.”
Carter suddenly spoke. “What if she does?”
Nate waved him off. “So what if she does? You’ll be better off without her. And without you, she’s nothing.”
Carter’s voice dropped. “I never wanted to divorce Sharon.”
Nate froze. “You didn’t? Then… what about Kelly?”
Carter’s tone was calm. “Kelly’s illness-her terminal diagnosis-it’s partially my fault. I just want to make sure she leaves without regrets. I never intended to divorce and remarry.”
Nate opened his mouth to respond but faltered. “But… Sharon isn’t worthy of you.”
“She’s still Theo’s mother,” Carter retorted simply.
Náte sat there in stunned silence. He had always assumed Sharon was the one clinging on, that Carter was the one eager to walk
away.
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Just then, Carter’s phone rang. He answered it without hesitation.
“Mr. Carter Biggs? This is the court following up on the divorce filing submitted by Ms. Sharon McKinzie. We’ve officially accepted the case. We’re calling to ask whether you’d be open to mediation….”
Elsewhere, Sharon was preparing the second round of medication for Kelly when her phone rang.
She answered.
On the other end, Carter’s voice came through, tight with restrained fury.
“Sharon, I thought we had an agreement. And you still went and filed for divorce?!”
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