Married to the Billionaire to Divorce Him のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 51 - チャプター 60

“Ava,” Mr. Hargrave said, with a serious face. “We should talk. In the living room. Everyone should hear this.”Everyone?By the time I was wheeled in, the entire room was filled—my parents, Priscillia, Aunt Margaret, Mrs. Hargrave, Christy and even Clara and her husband seated stiffly on opposite ends of a velvet couch. Angela placed me not far from Mr. Hargrave then went to a corner not far from me, arms crossed like a bodyguard ready to snap necks.I took a deep breath, trying to prepare myself for whatever questions Mr. Hargrave will ask me. It would have been best if he just asked Nathaniel himself and not me. Mr. Hargrave stood beside the fireplace, hands clasped. “Please tell us what happened tonight. You deserve to be heard to avoid assumptions or misinterpretations among ourselves. Outsiders can do that, but those close to you 'family, friends' should know the truth."I hesitated.My mother’s eyes were fixed on her lap. My dad watched me carefully nodding his head in agreeme

Ava’s POVI didn’t sleep.The couch was too small, my body too sore, and the air in this room was uncomfortable. Every time I closed my eyes, I’d hear the creak of the bed as Nathaniel shifted or turned. It wasn’t like I wanted to watch him sleep or anything—I just couldn’t stop feeling him there. Breathing. Existing. Resentful.Around 3 a.m., I finally gave up. I lay on my back, staring at the ceiling, blanket pulled to my chest, my thoughts tangled like a knot I couldn’t undo.Would our marriage be like this?Should I apologize to him for snitching?Why did I even care?“You still awake?” Nathaniel’s voice came out of nowhere, cracking the silence.I froze. Then quietly, “Yes.”Then there was silence for about ten seconds.“Can’t sleep?”I rolled to face the backrest of the couch, my voice muffled. “Could’ve something to do with the couch I was exiled to.”Another silence. Then, “You’re dramatic.”“And you’re heartless.”He didn’t respond. Not right away. Then, “I wasn’t going to le

Ava’s POVA loud knock.Then Mr. Hargrave’s voice, sharp and firm, just beyond the door.“Nathaniel. We need to talk.”Nathaniel and I both stared at the door. I squinted at the bedside clock. 5:19 AM.Seriously?Nathaniel didn’t say a word. He threw the blanket off, stood up, and left without looking back at me. No explanation. No reassurance. Just silence and footsteps.The door clicked shut behind him and then I was alone.I stayed awake, waiting. My legs ached, my brain spun, but my curiosity spun faster. What were they talking about? Had Mr. Hargrave seen the headlines? Was he mad Nathaniel let things get out of control? Or worse—was this about me?By the time the door opened again, it was 6:01.Nathaniel stepped in, not looking the least bit apologetic for disappearing for 40 minutes.“Everything okay?” I asked, trying not to sound too interested.He ignored the question. “We need to get ready. Breakfast is at 7:30.”I blinked. “What?”“There’s a family breakfast. Mandatory. You

Ava’s POV"Do you think Nathaniel will show up for the wedding? We have just one week until the wedding day," Angela asked, folding her clothes into neat stacks on the bed.I stared out the window absentmindedly, watching a bird peck at the edge of the fountain in the garden below. The morning sun spilled into the room, but it felt like nothing could warm the ice that had slowly crept into my chest these past three weeks."Ava! Can you hear me?" Angela shouted, throwing a small pillow at me."What?!" I snapped, startled, the pillow hitting my arm. I turned to her with a blank expression."Geez," she huffed, hands on her hips. "You’ve been zoning out ever since that jerk walked out. Are you sure you didn’t already fall in love with him?""What? No way," I said quickly, sitting up and tossing the pillow back at her. "That will never happen."Angela smirked. "You say that, but you’ve been brooding like a rejected protagonist in a slow-burn romance novel.""I have not!" I crossed my arms,

Ava’s POV- We have a room reserved for us at the hotel. -Nathaniel's words kept ringing in my head. I wasn't ready to be in a room with Nathaniel as his wife. There was still enough time before then. After the kiss, the vows, signing of legal documents and the endless photographs, I was ushered into a private dressing suite inside the Savoir Hotel to change for the reception. The bridal suite looked like something from a fashion film; gowns lined the walls majestically, perfume hung in the air, and makeup artists and hairstylists moved around me like bees.The moment I stepped into the main room, I nearly tripped over Priscilla, who was glued to her phone, sitting cross-legged on the couch like a teenager at a concert.“Oh my God,” she gasped, eyes wide as she looked up at me. “Ava. AVA!”“What?” I asked, lifting the hem of my dress so I didn’t fall flat on my face."Oh my God,"