Chapter 9

For a moment, I couldn't believe my ears. Mandy got divorced because of Gavin? But he had claimed he didn't know anything about her divorce. As my thoughts spiraled in confusion, a scoff echoed from the room—a sharp, mocking sound. "So, what's your plan? Getting a divorce? Getting back together with Mandy? Reigniting the old flame?" Gavin's tone turned cold, clearly irritated by Tom's sarcasm. "I haven't thought about divorce, and I won't be with her." The warmth of his words melted a little of the ice around my heart. It seemed Mandy's divorce was her own choice, not a shared decision. "Gavin, do you like Grace Summers?" That question sent a jolt through my chest. I had loved Gavin for 12 years, pouring all my heart into him. But did he feel the same for me? I held my breath, hoping against hope for a simple, affirming answer. Just one word—yes—and maybe there would still be a future for our marriage. But silence followed. Endless, suffocating silence. With every passing second, the fragile warmth I had clung to faded, leaving me colder than before. Then, abruptly, Gavin's phone rang, shattering the quiet. "Hello? What now? Didn't I say I was busy today?" Gavin's voice carried a mix of irritation and familiarity, the kind reserved for someone close. It didn't take much to guess who was on the other end—Mandy. I couldn't hear what she said, but Gavin's tone shifted immediately, becoming anxious. "Alright, I'll be there soon." The weight in my chest sank deeper. Once again, Gavin prioritized Mandy without hesitation. It was clear—when it came to her, he was always the first to give in. This was what people meant by the privileged confidence of being someone's favorite. "Gavin, you're unbelievable!" Tom's voice cut through the air, now sharp and commanding. Years of military discipline had forged an intensity that made his anger palpable. "Grace has loved you for over a decade. Even as an outsider, I can see how much she trusts and depends on you. She's committed to spending her life with you. And you? Can you honestly say you're worthy of her love?" "Enough," Gavin snapped, his tone heavy with frustration. "This is between Grace and me." Footsteps echoed toward the door. Panic surged through me—I couldn't let him catch me eavesdropping. Without thinking, I ducked into a nearby utility room, my heart pounding. "Gavin Gould!" Outside, a loud thud reverberated through the hallway, as though someone had been shoved hard against the wall. Tom's voice followed, low and menacing. "If you leave now, don't come back and regret it later." "I don't have time for this!" Gavin shot back, his voice urgent. "Mandy's depression is acting up. I'm worried something might happen to her. I need to check on her now." "Depression?" Tom sneered. "What a pathetic excuse. She's playing you like a fool." Gavin ignored the jab, adjusting his disheveled collar as he spoke. "Andrew saved my life. I can't just stand by if she's in trouble." Tom let out a cold laugh. "If you're so intent on repaying that debt, it should go to Andrew. What does a divorced woman like Mandy have to do with it?" Gavin faltered, unable to find a retort. After a moment's pause, he sighed and said, "Forget it. You wouldn't understand. I have to go now. Take Grace home for me." Without sparing another glance at Tom's cold and imposing expression, Gavin turned and strode away. From the shadows of the utility room, I felt a chill seep into my bones as I listened to his fading footsteps. At that moment, the silence he had left behind weighed heavier than his words. As the sound of Gavin's footsteps faded into the distance, I slumped against the wall, feeling an overwhelming wave of sadness surge within me. This was the man I had loved for 12 years. When I married him two years ago, I had believed I was the happiest woman in the world. But now—I realized I was nothing more than a complete joke. "Who's there?" Tom's sharp voice jolted me back to reality. Before I could respond, his strikingly handsome face, laced with an unmistakable edge of menace, appeared before me. The moment he saw my face, he froze, his expression softening slightly. "Grace…" He quickly regained his composure, his brows knitting slightly as if piecing things together. "Did you hear everything Gavin and I just talked about?" I opened my mouth to speak, but my throat felt like it was clogged with a sponge, absorbing every word before it could escape. Feeling the sting in my eyes, I quickly lowered my gaze, swallowing hard. After a long pause, I finally managed to say, "Thank you for helping my mom move to a better room, Tom. I really appreciate it." "There's no need for formalities between us," Tom replied, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. I knew he meant well. He had stood up for me earlier in front of Gavin, but right now, all I wanted was to find a quiet place where I could be alone and hide my sorrow. "I need to speak with the attending doctor about my mom's condition." As I turned to leave, searching for an excuse to slip away, a hand suddenly grabbed my wrist. Startled, I turned around, meeting a pair of deep, dark eyes. "What I said last time still stands," Tom said, his tone firm. "Last time?" I blinked in confusion. He sighed softly, shaking his head with a wry smile. Then his expression turned serious, his gaze locking onto mine. "If you decide to get a divorce, I'll help you." Divorce—the word struck me like a thunderclap, leaving me momentarily stunned. In the depths of despair earlier, the thought of divorce had indeed crossed my mind. But alongside it came a tangle of emotions—hesitation, reluctance, and pain. I had loved Gavin for 12 years. Half my life had been spent loving him. How could I let go so easily? From the moment I married him, I knew he didn't love me. Yet, I had naively believed that, one day, I could make him fall for me. If I divorced him now, could I truly accept it? Would I be free of regret? And then there was the child I carried—Gavin's child. Instinctively, my hand moved to rest on my stomach. The thought hit me like a tidal wave. If we divorced, the child would forever tie us together. We could never fully cut ties. But staying in a marriage like this—was that fair to the child? And if Gavin, who had been suspected of infertility, learned that I was pregnant, he would undoubtedly fight for custody. A chaotic storm of thoughts rushed through my mind, leaving me paralyzed with indecision. Still, knowing that Tom was willing to stand by me gave me a sense of security I hadn't felt in a long time. "Tom, thank you," I said earnestly, looking up at him. "If that day ever comes, I'll ask for your help." Tom's gaze lingered briefly on my stomach, his brows knitting for the faintest moment. But when he raised his eyes to meet mine again, his face was adorned with an easy smile. "Alright."