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

Grace’s bubble burst when Alaric explained apologetically, “I’m afraid that’s not possible. The facility’s been

grimly, Which insolent fool has beaten me to it? “How many of

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

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 my future daughter-in-law won’t bother them

little

reluctance, she put a hand on her hip and said darkly, “Have you forgotten how I’ve helped you

hearing this that Alaric broke into a breezy smile. Chuckling good-naturedly, he said, “Alright, you got me. I suppose I’ll just have to be thick-skinned and put on my persuasive charm. I’ll talk to my

have.” Appeased, Grace hung up the phone and beckoned

meal, Sonia patted her stomach, which bulged slightly under her shirt. She sprawled on the couch in

eyes turned into crescents. “If you think my culinary skills are great, then you ought to drop

Sonia agreed, nodding earnestly. “Your offer is

to resist it 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 around to appreciate it,”

rolled his eyes 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

conversation, you punk. I’d hit you if I could,” Grace warned through gritted teeth, clenching her fist and making as though she would punch him

in his hand and leaped away from her, narrowly dodging

so, he

watched the slapstick comedy that was Charles

the time, and when she

the night, but she

Grace urged

do that anyway,” Charles muttered. He grabbed the car keys from the coffee table and said, “Come on,

as she hummed in response, then

“Goodbye.” Grace waved back.

Charles as they walked out of the villa. Then, they got in the car and drove

up outside Bayside Residence an hour later, Sonia unfastened her seatbelt and opened

“Okay,” Charles answered breezily.

and rounded the

a date for you and Sonia at Alaric’s equestrian facility. Alaric knows all about it, and the room in the villa

lips twitched when he read

was a glimmer in his eyes as he rolled down the car window, and when he saw that Sonia

stopped in her tracks and

his features into his usual, nonchalant smile so that she couldn’t tell how nervous he was. “My mom just texted and

had said, given how