After the Last Tear: Rising from the Ashes of a Broken Marriage novel Chapter 16

"She posted it on Instagram!" Vivian furiously pulling out her phone. She showed him a post from just fifteen minutes ago:

[Starting my new life today.]

The photo attached was unmistakably her divorce certificate.

Vivian couldn't wrap her head around it. She'd been so sure Elaine had skulked away with her divorce papers in shame, but now Alistair was insisting he wouldn't divorce her.

Bursting with frustration and nowhere to direct it, Vivian placed a protective hand over her belly. She was about to say somthing when he suddenly jumped to his feet, heading for the door.

Seeing the panic written all over his face, a thought so shocking it bordered on absurd suddenly crashed into her mind.

"Alistair!" she called after him. "Why are you freaking out about divorcing someone you supposedly don't even care about?" Her voice dropped to a stunned whisper. " You're actually in love with her, aren't you?!"

Those words stopped him dead in his tracks.

In love with Elaine? That was ridiculous... wasn't it?

His heart belonged to Sophia. How could he possibly have feelings for Elaine?

"That's ridiculous!" he exploded, unusually angry. "How could I possibly care about her? The only woman I've ever loved is—"

The name "Sophia" nearly tumbled out, but he swallowed it back when his eyes fell on Vivian's pregnant belly. She didn't notice his hesitation, too consumed by her own misery.

"Ridiculous? Then tell me who you do love," Vivian demanded. She glared at his furious expression, letting out a bitter laugh. "Look at yourself right now! You look just like someone who was exposed and is mad about it.If you don't care about her, why are you chasing after her?"

"I've given you all my love, why couldn't share some of your love to me?! Once I was so certain you loved me too, but you dumped me without a second thought now. What’s so great about her that you’re still stuck on her?"

Vivian clutched her chest like it physically hurt, stumbling forward with pleading eyes. "You have divorced, Alistair. Can't you just give us a chance?"

Her desperate plea didn't soften him. Just like when he'd first broken up with her—gentle in delivery but absolutely final in decision.

Elaine had been beyond relieved to discover that the CEO of Vaughn Industries—one of her father's oldest business partners—was actually someone she'd known from her MBA days. His laid-back attitude had been exactly what she needed to calm her racing heart.

She'd only chosen Yale Business School all those years ago because she'd heard Alistair was heading there. Despite graduating top of her class, she'd never put her degree to work, stepping straight into the role of Mrs. Chase instead.

Now, with her dad suddenly gone, the entire weight of Faerwyn Industries had crash-landed on her shoulders. She was scared to death she'd tank the company, destroying everything her father had spent a lifetime building.

Thank God for Atticus Vaughn. He'd been a total gentleman throughout their meeting, helping her forget her anxiety for the first time in weeks.

"So, how about we continue this over dinner?" he asked with a warm smile as they walked out into the sunshine.

Elaine was about to say yes when a voice she hadn't heard in days sliced through the air:

"She's busy tonight!"