This Time, I Will Get My Divorce, Mr

Grace saw the glimmer in Charles’ eyes, but when it dimmed, she couldn’t help but prod him in the head. “Why are you always so caught up with your own thoughts? You’re too cowardly, and that’s why you missed Sonia.”

“It’s not my fault,” Charles grumbled plaintively.

She rolled her eyes at him. “Oh, so whose fault is it then? If you had just been bold enough to pursue Sonia romantically, then the both of you might have ended up together from the get-go.”

“It’s not as simple as you think,” he countered, lowering his eyes as he let out a bitter chuckle. “Not every girl could take their guy best friend as a boyfriend, you know.”

“Okay, so how would you know she won’t be able to take it if you never asked in the first place?” Grace pursed her lips in displeasure.

Charles gulped, unsure if he had the answer to his mother’s question.

With an impatient and dismissive wave of her hand, Grace barked, “Very well. Get out of the kitchen. You’re only going to get in my way if you stay here.”

His eyes widened. “You were the one who asked me to come in here, remember?” he argued exasperatedly, only to be ignored and pushed out of the kitchen.

“That kid’s hopeless, and it doesn’t help that he’s afraid of everything. If only he could just man up a little!” She shook her head in frustration. “Looks like I’m going to have to take things into my own hands instead. It’s time to set my son up with the girl of his dreams!” Having thought of this, she pulled out her phone and called a number. “Hi, Alaric. Didn’t you say you have an equestrian facility?”

“That’s right. What about it?” A middle-aged man’s bright and cheery voice spoke up on the other line.

Grace beamed. “Do you think I could have it for the weekend? I only need it for two days, and it’s crucial because I’m trying to set my son up with my future daughter-in-law.”

She had plans to trick Sonia and Charles into going horseback riding together, and she would create little nerve-wracking moments for them along the way.

by the time they were through

Alaric explained apologetically, “I’m afraid that’s not

fool has beaten me to it? “How many

as he replied, “Just two. It seems as if they’re planning for a

lit up with a brilliant idea. “Do you think you could squeeze two more in for the weekend? Maybe you could talk to your current guests and tell them that my son and

grew a little uneasy

reluctance, she put a hand on her hip and said darkly, “Have you forgotten

hearing this that Alaric broke into a breezy smile. Chuckling good-naturedly, he said, “Alright, you got me. I suppose

hung up the phone and beckoned Charles and Sonia to join her at the dining

slightly under her shirt. She sprawled on the couch in a daze as she remarked, “Your culinary skills are as impressive as ever, Mrs.

her eyes turned into crescents. “If you think my culinary skills are great, then you ought to drop by with Charles more often

Sonia agreed, nodding earnestly. “Your offer is too

at all! I love cooking, and Charles and Curtis are almost never at home. There isn’t a point cooking if there isn’t anyone

when he heard this and paused in peeling the apple. “That’s unfair, Mom. You’re the one who always goes out shopping and traveling. You can’t seriously blame Dad and me when you barely have time to cook for

hit you if I could,” Grace warned through gritted teeth, clenching her fist and making as though she would punch him for

dropped the apple in his hand and leaped away from her, narrowly dodging

he did so, he sang mischievously, “You can’t hit

other hand, burst into laughter as she watched the slapstick comedy that was Charles and Grace. At that moment,

at the time, and

her to stay the night, but she turned

go drop her home,” Grace urged as she shoved her son

the car keys from the coffee table and said,

then waved at

“Goodbye.” Grace waved back.

after Charles as they walked out of the villa. Then, they got in

an hour later, Sonia unfastened her seatbelt and

“Okay,” Charles answered breezily.

rounded the

Alaric knows all about it, and the room in the villa has been set

lips twitched when he read

was a glimmer in his eyes as he rolled down the car window, and when he saw that Sonia was about to go into the lobby, he tightened his fists and summoned all the courage he had, then

tracks and turned around.

and tried to school his features into his usual, nonchalant smile so that she couldn’t tell how nervous he was.

She couldn’t quite hear what he had