‘Divorce, again with the divorce!’Alejandro flung his hand away from her and slammed the door as he left. ‘I get so frustrated every time she brings up the divorce!’Alejandro immediately headed to his office, since it would be more peaceful than staying at home.However, Alejandro still could not calm down even after he arrived at his office. He called out to Jett. “Go tell Mateo that I would like to meet him. If he doesn’t dare meet me in private, something’s definitely wrong with him! I don’t care whether you have to tie him up or whatsoever. ‘Invite’ him over whatever the cost!”Jett was slightly hesitant. “Sir, I don’t think it would be a good idea to bring him over to the office, would it? There are too many eyes around here, so if word gets out to Madam…”Jett’s words had sent Alejandro a reminder. “I must be clouded by anger to not have thought of it myself. Set up the meet at a place then. Also, be discreet about it. I don’t want Melanie to find out about it, at least un

Arianne was slightly surprised. ‘The woman’s already married and has a child, yet Mateo still came all this way especially for her. Why does he sound like he’s planning to steal the woman?’ However, Arianne did not dare to voice her thoughts, so she could only be as subtle as possible. “She… She’s already married and has a child? In that case… What kind of outcome are you hoping for? Could it be… you’re hoping for her to get a divorce and be with you?”However, Mateo merely shook his head. “I don’t expect her to be with me. In the past, just one look at her was enough to make me want to protect her, yet I kept stopping myself from doing so. I’ve waited for a hug from her for so many years… All I want is just a hug. Do you understand what I’m trying to say?”Arianne heaved a sigh of relief. “Just a hug? That’s easy. Since she’s the light of your life, then I’m sure the two of you know each other. Therefore, since the two of you have known each other for so many years, I’m sure she wou

“I heard you, Arianne. I’ll talk to him about this with my attitude in check. Then, later, I’ll be eating with you and Tiffany at Teo’s place. I don’t give a damn about what he thinks. I’m gonna go there with my head held high, and I’m gonna let him know myself!”Just like that, Melanie terminated their call, leaving Arianne with her mind dancing on pins and needles. What had she done? She was the one who brought this up, which meant that if a heated altercation between Melanie and Alejandro broke out, part of it was on her.Meanwhile, Melanie wasted not a minute more before driving all the way to Alejandro’s office. Despite it being a weekend, he was working overtime again. The man was renowned for being doggedly focused on his work, which likely stemmed from his troubled life experience in the past. Knowing full well that the survival of the Smith family’s wealth and legacy was on his shoulders, while he still had much to learn and do, Alejandro usually sacrificed his weekends away

Mateo’s body immediately stilled. When he whipped his face upward to consider Melanie, his signature practiced grin was completely absent. “How did you… know?”Melanie breathed a quiet sigh. She was relieved; it turned out that Mateo was not pining for her, and yet, she could not help but be simultaneously worried for the path her old friend seemed poised to tread. “Your friend can tell, Teo. And unless I’m mistaken, our reunion in the supermarket wasn’t a coincidence at all, was it? You planned for it. I was never the reason that compelled you to come back; that had always been Arianne,” she said. “You knew Arianne’s my friend, so you used me to help make you closer to her. I don’t mind being used this way, Teo, but I think I should warn you—Mark Tremont’s wife isn’t someone you should set your eyes on. Ever.”He curled his lips into a flitting, pained smile. “I know, I know. I’ve never harbored any funny ideas either, if this helps. But, seriously, how did you piece it together?

Just look at the other kids! All of them were holding their parents’ hands as they regarded the foreign environment with childlike repulsion. Only a handful of them seemed to welcome the brave, new world sprawling before them.Mark was already showing signs of bailing out of there. “Seriously, can’t you just bring him inside, leave some words to him, and then mission accomplished, we go home? When it’s time, we come back and take him home. Simple as that,” he suggested. “It’s becoming pretty apparent now, hasn’t it? He’s not the slightest bit ill at ease! I can’t believe your anxiety eclipsed his!”Arianne rolled her eyes at him. “Don’t sugarcoat it; you’re just growing impatient! I can’t believe you’re impatient with your own son! And also, just because he isn’t anxious now doesn’t mean he won’t be missing home after a while. What happens if he starts to cry, huh? Besides, look around you, mister—none of them decided to just leave after dumping their kid here, right? Just be there f