hapter 13.
“This is impossible! I never signed any divorce papers!”
“This has to be fake–absolutely fake!”
Charles’s voice suddenly rose. He refused to believe what he was seeing. He couldn’t he wouldn’t–accept that Irene had actually gone through with a divorce.
But there it was. His signature Clear as day.
Frantically, he tried to recall what had happened three nights ago. Then–like lightning striking his brain–he remembered.
Three nights ago, he’d canceled all his meetings to spend time at home with Elise and Alden. He’d had a bit too much to drink. Elise had come in with some documents and asked him to sign.
He didn’t think twice. He assumed the assistant had asked her to bring them over, so he just scribbled his name.
Charles’s face drained of color. That document… It wasn’t some unimportant file, was it?
No. No, it couldn’t be. He snapped around and barked at his assistant, “Three nights ago, around ten p.m.–did you give any documents to Elise to have me sign?”
The assistant looked genuinely contused and shook his head. “Sir, don’t you remember? You said you wanted to make it up to Aiden that day and canceled everything. You even told us not to disturb you unless it was about Alden. Why would I send over documents?” The moment those words left the assistant’s mouth, Charles felt like he was free–falling into a black hole.
It had been Elise. She tricked him.
He had trusted her. And she’d set him up got him to sign that damn divorce agreement.
The pain stabbed through his chest. He could barely breathe.
His hands clenched around the divorce papers, crumpling them. Red filled his vision, rage boiling beneath the surface “Dad,” he said through gritted teeth, “this divorce doesn’t count. I don’t accept it!”
Edward let out a cold laugh. “Then maybe this will help.”
He nodded to the butler, who stepped forward with a sealed file and handed it to Charles.
Charles’s hands shook as he took it. The moment his eyes scanned the content, it was like he’d been hit by a truck. He stumbled backward, nearly losing his footing.
Paternity test results confirmed Charles Whitmore as Aiden’s biological father
Charles felt the air leave his lungs. His worst fear had just been confirmed.
Irene had known. She had known everything. That’s why she’d left him without looking back.
“Mr. Whitmore, you haven’t seen the rest yet.” The butler pushed the laptop forward.
The screen lit up with a photo–Charles in the preschool yard, holding Aiden and laughing.
And then came the audio.
“What do you want me to do? He’s just a kid. Every time I try to send Elise away, he throws a fit. He won’t stop crying for her. I can’t just let him cry like that…”
As for Elise…she gave me a child. I can’t just toss her aside.”
“If you’re scared of pain, why’d you lure me over? Even with a ldd, you’re still Insatiable.”
The words cut like razors. Charles froze, speechless.
Chapter 13
That night. The hospital. The study. Irene had heard everything.
His complexion turned ghostly. His fists trembled violently as blood surged to his head, and a sharp, metallic taste filled his mouth.
She heard it all…
Irene had loved him with everything she had. And he he shattered her heart. No wonder she walked away so cleanly.
But how? How did it all fall apart so quickly? He thought he had control, that everything was under wraps…
The butler noticed the confusion in his eyes and sneered. “Well, well. Fooled by a woman. You really opened our eyes, Mr. Whitmore.
Charles’s body shook. His fists clenched so tight, his knuckles cracked.
The butler continued, calm but cutting, “Mr. Aldridge found a few things you might want to see. Elise reached out to Miss Aldridge. directly. Their chat history is right here.”
“And let me remind you–what Miss Aldridge hates most in this world are lies, betrayal, and slander.”
“Aiden was personally sent away by his own mother. The proof’s in there too. Take your time, Mr. Whitmore.”
Chapter 13:
