Chapter 64 Eager to Share the Joy of Divorce?
Cordelia nodded. "Yeah. He tried to reach out, but I blocked him."
The night it all went down, Everett messaged her, apologizing and admitting he had faked their conversations out of spite. He hadn't expected things to blow up so much. His message was long and filled with regret.
Cordelia read his message and decided to block him, along with all his numbers. She didn't care what happened next.
Alaric watched her speak calmly, feeling a pang in his chest. Someone had once told him that Cordelia seemed gentle on the surface but was actually tough inside, warm on the outside but cold within. Now, he understood that perfectly.
Back at Garden Vista Estates.
Cordelia got out of the car first. As she exited, she turned to see Alaric getting out as well.
"Mr. Hughes, you should head back to Crown Hill Estates."
Donald wasn't here, so there was no need for Alaric to keep up the act.
Alaric frowned and looked at Cordelia, his voice heavy. "What, I can't even crash in the guest room anymore?"
Cordelia looked at his slightly flushed, handsome face and smirked. "Mr. Hughes, you're making it seem like you don't want to get divorced."
Alaric's face turned cold immediately. He took a deep breath and got back in the car. "Drive back to Crown Hill Estates."
Robert didn't dare delay and started the car, driving away.
Cordelia stood there for a while, watching until Alaric's car disappeared from sight before she turned and went inside.
Saskia was already asleep. Cordelia didn't linger and went upstairs.
A few minutes later, Robert brought the car back to Garden Vista Estates.
Cordelia had just finished her bath when she heard the sound of a car engine outside. She walked to the balcony and saw Alaric getting out of the car.
Alaric noticed her standing on the balcony. Their eyes met for a few seconds before he walked inside.
Cordelia raised an eyebrow and went back inside, opening her bedroom door and stepping out.
Alaric came upstairs and saw Cordelia standing at the bedroom door, looking at him intently for a few seconds.
"I came back to get something."
Cordelia nodded. "Alright."
She paused for a moment before adding calmly, "If you want to stay in the guest room for the night, that's fine too."
Her voice was steady, showing no emotional fluctuation towards his return, treating him indifferently.
After speaking, Cordelia went back inside and closed the door.
Alaric stared at the closed door for a long time, feeling a surge of anger.
Cordelia was indeed warm on the outside but cold on the inside.
He had come back to try to mend their relationship. But she didn't care about mending it at all.
It was just a divorce, right? What was so hard about it?
Alaric didn't go to the guest room. He went downstairs and left.
Robert was waiting in the car. Seeing Alaric come out with a cold expression, he knew things hadn't gone well between him and Cordelia.
"Mr. Hughes, you admitted you don't want a divorce, but Ms. Stone still insists on it?"
Alaric glared at Robert. "Who told you I don't want a divorce?"
Robert immediately shut up. Alright then. he didn't say it.
Alaric seethed with anger all the way back to Crown Hill Estates. Robert didn't dare provoke him and drove quietly.
For a while, there was no contact between Alaric and Cordelia. Cordelia kept trying to convince Donald. Eventually, Donald sensed something was up.
Cordelia finally told Donald everything. She and Alaric had agreed to divorce, and the cooling-off period would end tomorrow. Once they went to court in the morning to get the divorce decree, they would be officially done.
Donald was initially in shock. Cordelia explained about Janet's presence. Donald eventually accepted the fact that Cordelia and Alaric were divorcing.
"Matters of the heart can't be forced. Cordelia, these years have been tough on you."
Cordelia had come to terms with it by then. She and Alaric were probably never meant to be. "This is my own doing, so I can endure it."
Donald sighed. "Well, there are plenty of excellent men out there besides Alaric. Dominic is quite good too."
Cordelia smiled helplessly. "Dominic and I are just friends."
Donald quickly added, "I don't think Dominic just wants to be friends with you."
Cordelia raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
The next morning, when Cordelia left, Donald was still resting. He had had an episode the night before and only fell asleep after taking several pills. She felt guilty about it. Her marriage had become Donald's biggest concern.
Last night, during his episode, he even asked if Alaric would have dared to keep his first love around if the Stone family hadn't faced issues and maintained its former glory. Cordelia's heart ached when she heard that.
Since the Stone Group's downfall in Shadowpine, Donald had changed, blaming himself for everything. This had worsened his condition.
Cordelia had planned to tell him about her pregnancy once they were abroad. Seeing his condition, she couldn't hold back and told him. She wanted a quick divorce because she was pregnant and didn't want Alaric to have custody of the child. Even if the Stone Group hadn't faced issues, her marriage with Alaric would have ended.
Donald paused for a long time after hearing this, then took some pills and went back to his room. Allegra hadn't slept well all night, worried about Donald. She left the bedroom door slightly open to keep an eye on him.
Cordelia gave Allegra some instructions before heading to the garage. As she reached the garage, she saw Alaric's car parked at the Stone Manor entrance.
Alaric saw Cordelia and got out of the car. "Ride with me."
Cordelia refused. "I'll drive myself. It'll be easier to get back."
Alaric's face stiffened, and he started his car and left. Cordelia remained calm, got into her car, and drove to the courthouse. The process of getting the divorce decree was quick.
Alaric took the decree and tossed it to Robert, striding away. A few steps out, he saw Dominic waiting outside the courthouse. His face darkened, and he shot Cordelia a cold look.
"Can't wait to share the joy of your divorce with him?"