The shift was immediate."Oh my God…""That's wonderful.""How far along?"But another voice cut in, sharper. "Wait. Didn't Maxwell just get divorced?"All eyes shifted to Molly."And now there's already a baby?""Three years of marriage and no children..." one of them murmured.Another leaned in. "Maybe that was the problem."A soft hum of agreement went round the group."Some men want legacy.""And if they don't get it...""They move on."Linda didn't interrupt or correct any of the murmurs, she just let it settle. Her hands were still tight on the club, then she smiled modestly. "It's still early."Her eyes returned to Molly. "As a mother, I'm sure you understand why I'd want things handled properly."Molly's gaze sharpened, there it was, her motive.Linda continued, her voice careful now. "I'm not here to create problems. I'm here to avoid them.” She sighed as she continued. “All I want is for both families to be on the same page." She swallowed again. "For the sake of the child."

Linda's mouth tightened. "Hey! Don’t get offensive about it. You'll tell him when the time is right.""When is that exactly?" Selene's voice rose slightly. "When Molly asks him directly? When Victor starts asking questions?""You'll figure it out."Selene sat back hard against her chair, her jaw clenched. "You just tanked the one plan that was actually working."Linda's eyes sharpened. "I escalated it, there's a difference.""No. You panicked, and you’re leaving me to fix it the mess, as usual.""I made a strategic move, you should be grateful."Selene laughed, bitter and sharp. "Strategic? Mom, if this blows up…""It won't.""You don't know that."Linda leaned forward now, her voice quiet but firm. "I know that Molly is already thinking about it. I know that the other women are already talking, and I know that once a story like that starts circulating, it doesn't matter if it's true, all that matters is if people believe it."Selene stared at her. "And what happens when Maxwell find

"You're pregnant," he repeated slowly."Yes.""And you didn't think to mention it?"Selene's hands twisted together in her lap. "You just got divorced. Your father doesn't like me. I didn't want to... I didn't want to use my joy to make things harder for you."Her voice broke slightly."I thought if I told you, it would feel like I was trapping you, and I didn't want that."Maxwell's jaw worked as his eyes went dark and unreadable.Selene turned toward him fully now, tears streaming down her face."I'm sorry," she whispered. "Baby, I'm so sorry. I should have told you. I just... I didn't know what to do."Linda reached over, squeezing her daughter's hand, as Daniel looked appropriately somber.Andrew was still grinning.Molly watched it all play out, in a calm and assessing manner, before she spoke. "Well."Everyone looked at her."I suppose congratulations are in order."The words landed carefully, not warm or cold, but just in a factual acceptable way.Maxwell's head turned toward h

All Chapters of After the Divorce, My Ex Husband Came Crawling Back: Chapter 41 - Chapter 43

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