Open Marriage, Broken Promises: When Love Turns to Ashes novel Chapter 35

Erik Williamson dropped me off at home.

When I walked through the door, my parents were having breakfast.

Seeing me come in, my mom walked up to me.

"Selena, why are you home at this hour?"

I didn't beat around the bush.

"Mom, Dad, I'm planning to get a divorce."

My dad hesitated for a moment.

"And the company..."

My mom cut him off.

"I've heard enough of Declan's scandals. I think Selena's making the right decision. What's more important, the company or our daughter's happiness?"

I hugged my mom tightly.

"Mom, you're the best!"

My dad glared at me.

"I didn't say no, did I?"

I smiled at him.

"Dad, you're great too. Don't worry about the company. I've already secured that big deal with the Sunrise Group. If the Kenneth family cooperates, we'll make a fortune. If they don't, it won't hurt us."

My dad smiled, clearly relieved.

"That's my girl. In a few years, I can finally relax and enjoy my retirement!"

I stayed to have breakfast with my parents and called a lawyer to draft the divorce agreement, which was promptly sent to the Kenneth Corporation.

The agreement was delivered to Declan at noon, and he showed up at my office that afternoon.

Declan slammed the papers onto my desk.

"Selena, are you serious about this?"

I looked up at him.

"Is there any way to fake something like this?"

Declan slammed his palm against the desk.

"Do you know how much we stand to lose from this divorce? Sure, you're not afraid because you have Erik to back you up, but have you thought about my family?"

I glanced at him.

"Was I the one who didn't want to make this marriage work? Was it me who told you to find someone else? So why are you so upset now?"

"I told you to fool around a little, not get a divorce! If you drop this now, I'll pretend I never saw anything between you and Erik."

I let out a cold laugh.

"You want to fool around but not get divorced? You really want the best of both worlds, don't you, Declan?"

He shouted angrily,

"Selena, my parents have treated you so well. How could you do this to them?"

I stared at him.

"Oh, really? How well? Like keeping all your pre-marriage escapades a secret? If I had known about those, do you think I would've married you?"

Deflated, Declan softened his tone.

"What will it take for you not to divorce? I'll stop messing around, I swear."

I pushed the divorce agreement back in front of him.

"Even if the world explodes, I'm getting this divorce."

Declan gritted his teeth.

"Selena, think this through. If you divorce me and remarry, you'll be a second-hand bride. Do you think the Williamson family will accept someone who's been divorced?"

I had thought about that before, but I figured it was Erik's problem to solve.

If he couldn't handle it, it's not like he's the only man in the world.

I'd already made one switch—why not a second?

I looked at Declan calmly.

"Even if I never remarry, I'm still going through with this divorce. Not for anyone else, but for myself. If you don't want to sign, I'll take this to court."