Filed to story: Unmasking the Billionaire: Don’t Mess with the Ex (Victoria & Carter) Book PDF Free
And if the situation changed… well, the same principle would apply.
Jenarth watched Madilyn depart before looking up at Isabella.
“Mommy, we need to get on that old woman’s good side, right?”
Isabella smiled faintly. “Yes, and not just win her over – you need to make her completely adore you.”
“Understood.” A sly little smile curled Jenarth’s lips. Moments earlier, he had been sweetly calling her “pretty”, but now his eyes held a calculating chill that seemed far too mature for a five-year-old.
A minute later, Carter returned after finishing his call. Noticing Madilyn was gone and only
Isabella and Jenarth remained, he asked casually, “Where’s my mom?”
“Daddy Carter, the pretty madam had to leave for something,” Jenarth said with earnest innocence. “She told you to rest well – she said there’s a lot of work waiting at the company, and you shouldn’t let pointless things affect your mood.”
Carter couldn’t help but feel slightly soothed by the message. He noticed Jenarth was still in his pajamas and remembered the boy had already been in bed – their conversation must have drawn him downstairs.
“Jenarth, you should go back to sleep. It’s late.”
Jenarth looked up at Carter, shyly lowering his gaze. “Daddy Carter, can I make a small request?”
“What is it?” Carter crouched down to his eye level, embracing him as he asked.
“Daddy Carter… could I sleep in your room tonight?” Jenarth whispered, almost inaudibly. “This house is so big, and when the lights go out, I’m scared there might be monsters. If I sleep near you, they wouldn’t dare come close
– you’re so strong!”
A pang of guilt struck Carter. All these years, he had known nothing about Isabella’s situation. If he had found her earlier, he could have helped them much sooner.
Isabella had once mentioned that during her performances, she often had to leave Jenarth alone in hotel rooms. Such a young child, facing the darkness by himself – he had endured far too much.
Carter held Jenarth a little tighter. “Jenarth, anytime you want to sleep in my room, you’re welcome.”
“Daddy Carter, you’re the best! I really, really like you. You’re my most favorite grown-up ever.” Jenarth threw his small arms around Carter’s neck and planted a soft kiss on his forehead.
“Carter, I’m sorry,” Isabella interjected gently. “He’s never had a father figure before, so please excuse his behavior.”
Carter stopped her before she could continue. “Isabella, don’t apologize. The fact that Jenarth trusts me so much means a lot.
He’s a wonderful boy, and from now on, he won’t have to go through those hardships anymore.” His gaze was firm, as though making a silent vow.
Hearing this, Isabella gave a soft nod. “Carter, thank you. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you for everything you’ve done.”
Carter looked at her seriously. “Isabella, if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t even be here today.”
“I understand.”
“Get some rest now.”
Carter personally accompanied Jenarth upstairs, even carrying him when the boy playfully acted too tired to walk. He brought him to the master bedroom and stayed with him until he drifted off to sleep.
*****
At the Courthouse, Victoria appeared dressed in simple black, a pair of sunglasses shielding her eyes. She moved through the procedures with detached efficiency, and none of the staff raised any questions.
“Here are your documents – please keep them safe.” The clerk handed two stamped divorce papers to Victoria and Carter.
Carter stepped forward with a slight smile, glanced at the text on the paper, and his eyes filled with unmistakable disdain.
This was Victoria’s choice, and he had allowed her to have her way.
Divorce? So be it!
Let’s see if she comes to regret it.
With Madilyn expediting the formalities, the entire process was completed with startling speed. In no time at all, the divorce papers were officially issued.
Victoria arrived exactly on time. From collecting the divorce papers at the Courthouse to now, half an hour had passed without her uttering a single word. She hadn’t even removed her sunglasses.
Carter smirked, his eyes flashing with derision.
Having second thoughts now, is she?
Coming to beg for forgiveness? Too late – the papers are signed. I’m not about to give her another chance.
After more than six years in Myers Manor, he had shown her every ounce of patience he possessed. She should have learned gratitude by now. Yet here she was, stirring up drama and demanding a divorce over and over – pushing her luck to the absolute limit.
Were those sunglasses hiding eyes swollen from crying all night after she learned the divorce could be finalized early yesterday?
Probably too ashamed to show her face.
The notion drew a cold snort from him.
“Thank you for your assistance.” Carter maintained his polite and considerate demeanor, expressing gratitude to the staff while completely ignoring Victoria standing nearby.
Compared to Carter’s visibly lifted spirits, Victoria remained far more composed.
She kept her sunglasses on, her expression unreadable as she examined the divorce papers in her hand. After verifying its authenticity, she nearly laughed aloud in relief. But remembering they were still in the Courthouse – where divorce wasn’t exactly a celebratory matter – she schooled her features into neutrality.
Victoria took out her phone, snapped a photo of the divorce papers, and allowed a faint smile to touch her lips before turning to leave.
She had just reached the entrance when Carter’s voice called out sharply from behind.
“Victoria!”
His tone was edged with clear irritation.
Victoria paused and glanced back at the man striding toward her but offered no response.
“You chose this path yourself. Once you step outside, don’t ever refer to yourself as Mrs. Myers again.” Carter stared intently at her, searching for any hint of regret, helplessness, or even tears. That would have been satisfying.
Unfortunately, he waited in vain – her expression revealed nothing.
“Victoria, now that the divorce is finalized, do you regret it?” He could no longer restrain himself and voiced the question directly.
“Regret?” Victoria tilted her head in apparent confusion. “Mr. Myers, I assumed I ceased to be Mrs. Myers the moment I walked out of your home.”
Carter felt as if the air had been knocked from his lungs.
What had gotten into her? She was behaving like a completely different person. This wasn’t like her at all!
So sharp-tongued!
She had shut him down so effectively he couldn’t even form a retort.
Just as Carter struggled to find words to reprimand her, a gentle voice interjected.
