All Chapters of You Had This Divorce Coming: Chapter 131 - Chapter 140

Wendy leaned in immediately. "What did you find out? Tell me."Rayne's eyes narrowed. "The day Joanne returned from Asthrala, she fired their longtime floor manager on the spot."Apparently, the man had violated company policy. He'd harassed a part-time college student who worked as a waitress, and she threatened to jump off a building because of it. To contain the situation, Joanne fired him immediately."Wendy clapped her hands in delight. "Perfect. The timing couldn't be better. Rayne, move fast. Get that floor manager's contact information. Someone who worked under Joanne for years is bound to know where the bodies are buried."An icy glint flashed in Wendy's eyes. "That Joanne. Ever since she paid off all her debts and opened Midnight Splendor, she's only become more arrogant. I've wanted to bring her down for years, but she runs a tight operation."The people who work for her are loyal to the point of fanaticism. That place is sealed from the inside. I could never find a cra

Gideon felt the tension in his chest ease.Lucille was eating. She was actually eating the food he had brought. He was happier than he had any right to be over something as simple as a meal.He could tell she was genuinely hungry. She worked her way through every dish in order, taking small, deliberate bites. Her lips closed with the quiet concentration of someone who truly loved food. She reminded him of the rabbits she used to keep, the way they nibbled with that same earnest focus.When it came to food, Gideon knew he could always reach Lucille, as long as he paid attention. That had always been true. Every dish in front of her was exactly right. The flavors, the seasoning, the combinations—every detail had been chosen with her tastes in mind.Lucille ate until she was full, until she could not manage another bite. She even let out the faintest little burp.She set down her utensils, looked up, and a light, involuntary blush of embarrassment spread across her face. "I ate this

Lucille turned away and took in the scene.Rayne stood at the entrance to the canteen in a pale pink sleep set, her long hair loose over her shoulders. She looked like someone who had been wronged by the universe. A black mask concealed most of her face, leaving only two large, swollen eyes visible above it.Rayne's gaze swept across the table. She recognized the restaurant immediately as one of Coasthaven's most exclusive private kitchens, and jealousy surged through her at once.She crossed the room and grabbed Gideon's arm, tears already welling in her eyes. "Giddy, I just got Connor to sleep. I haven't eaten dinner yet. I'm starving."Lucille watched Gideon from where she stood. The faint curve at the corner of her mouth carried a sting of quiet mockery.He drew a slow breath, gently removed Rayne's hand from his arm, and stepped to Lucille's side. "If you haven't eaten, order something. Or there's still quite a bit of food left here if you don't mind."Rayne's eyes widened.

Rayne grabbed the sleeve of her aunt's coat, startled. She quickly wiped away her tears. "What's wrong? What happened to you?"Elaine trembled from head to toe, completely consumed by emotion. "Your uncle finally came home yesterday. I made the entire dinner by hand, and I told him everything Lucille has done, every single thing."He was furious at first. He slammed his hand on the table and said he was going to make her answer for it. But then your oldest cousin showed up out of nowhere."No matter how much I tried to signal her to stay out of it, she kept defending Lucille. She kept saying our entire family had wronged Lucille and her daughter."The moment your uncle heard that, his whole attitude changed. He turned everything around on me and started blaming me for all of it."Elaine went on and on, growing more agitated with every sentence as she paced around the ward, muttering under her breath.Rayne watched her aunt's outburst and felt her own emotions settle into an eerie

Elaine met Gideon's cold gaze and felt something sink in her chest.The son she had carried for nine months and devoted half her life to raising had, for the first time, stripped her of every courtesy in front of a stranger.Elaine's entire body trembled. She dragged out a chair and dropped into it. Holding up two fingers, she spoke in a voice sharp enough to cut. "Very well. Very well! Gideon, you've certainly grown up!"Let me make this clear. I'll give you two choices. First, you recognize me as your mother. From this day forward, you cut ties with that mother and daughter. Second, you protect them. From this day forward, you no longer have a mother. Choose."She glared at Gideon, waiting. Every inch of her posture declared that she wouldn't move until he answered.Gideon pinched the bridge of his nose, equal parts patient and exasperated. "Mom, you're being unreasonable. I won't make that choice. As far as I'm concerned, they're family to me. So are you."Elaine scoffed and d