Chapter 5
Keith knocked on Michael's office door, feeling a sense of relief and even a hint of pride at how smoothly everything had gone.
"Mr. Quinn, Ms. Blake has signed the papers," he said, stumbling a bit over the title.
He respectfully placed the documents on the wide desk and flipped straight to the signature page, where Charlotte's name stood out, a little shaky but unmistakably firm.
"She was pretty decisive. Didn't even bother to read through the terms, just signed right away," Keith added.
He watched Michael closely, secretly hoping for a nod or even a hint of approval.
After all, he'd just saved his client an astronomical amount in divorce costs. The terms were so harsh that even he felt uncomfortable about it.
Michael's gaze landed on the signature, and his expression suddenly turned grim.
"Did she even look at the property division?" His voice was low, sharp as shards of ice.
Keith's heart tightened.
He answered quickly, "She didn't read through every clause, but I explained the important parts just like you told me, especially that the only property being divided is the Maplewood Estate.
"I spelled it out for her, word for word, so she got the full picture."
Michael's gaze shifted from the signature, slowly lifting to meet Keith's face.
"Are you absolutely certain," Michael asked, his words slow and icy, "that you made every single clause crystal clear to her?"
Keith felt a wave of panic under Michael's intense stare, but after replaying the whole thing in his mind, he was certain he hadn't missed a single detail.
"Yes, Mr. Quinn, I'm absolutely sure. I even reminded her that if she had any objections, she could bring them up for discussion. But after I finished explaining, she just told me, 'No need,' and signed without a second thought," Keith replied.
Michael's expression turned stormy.
"Get out," he said coldly.
Keith froze for a moment, totally confused, but didn't dare say a word. He hurriedly bowed and left.
"Yes, Mr. Quinn," he said.
The heavy wooden door shut behind him, cutting off the outside world.
Michael stood alone by the floor-to-ceiling window, his back stiff and tense.
He still clutched the divorce agreement, the edges of the paper crumpled from his grip.
Charlotte's signature was right there, glaring at him, so sharp and clear it almost hurt to look.
A wave of panic and anger crashed over him, seizing his chest in a tight, suffocating grip.
She had signed it.
She had actually signed it.
She didn't even glance at the terms. After hearing those almost insulting conditions, she just said, "No need," and signed right away.
She truly wanted the divorce.
Did she care that much about that child?
Did she have to humiliate him like this?
The office door was suddenly pushed open.
Sophie rushed in, wrapping her arms around Michael's waist from behind, nestling her cheek against his back.
"Michael, I know I was wrong. Please, don't send me away, okay?" Sophie pleaded, her voice choked with tears.
Her voice was choked with emotion. She said, "I admit it I went way too far this time.
"But every time I think about our baby who never got to be born, it feels like my heart is being ripped apart. I can't help hating her."
She tightened her arms around him, her voice dropping to a whisper.
She said, "That was your first child, your own flesh and blood, the one you'd been longing for all these years. How could she take him from you so easily?
"If our baby were still here, he'd probably be smiling by now, maybe even look just like you. Every time I think about it, I—"
Michael's body tensed up, barely noticeable.
Sophie picked up on that tiny change instantly.
She took the chance to nuzzle her cheek against his back, leaning into him like she belonged there.
She whispered, "Michael, she took our baby away, and now she's showing off being pregnant with some other guy's bastard. She's just trying to get revenge on you, to humiliate you. I'm only standing up for you, because my heart hurts for you."
Hearing Sophie's words, Michael felt his anger rising again.
Michael's anger flared up all over again.
Even Sophie was angry on his behalf, aching for him.
Yet Charlotte had trampled on everything he had given her.
Sophie let go of him and stepped in front of him.
"Michael!" she called out, and just then, she caught sight of the divorce agreement in his hand.
She practically snatched the papers from him, her fingers trembling as she anxiously searched for both signatures.
It was real.
They had both signed it.
She looked up at Michael, her eyes instantly filling with tears of joy and disbelief.
"Michael! Are you really getting divorced? Is this really happening? Am I dreaming?" Sophie gasped, her voice shaking with excitement.
She threw herself into his arms without a second thought.
"You're finally going to make it official for me? I've waited so long for this day. I'm so happy!" Sophie cried, her voice trembling with joy.