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.

might blossom into fireworks by the time they were through with horseback

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

thought grimly, Which insolent fool has beaten me to it?

two. It

Her eyes lit up with a brilliant idea. “Do you think you could squeeze two more in for the weekend?

a little uneasy at

said darkly, “Have you forgotten how I’ve helped you out in the

“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 guests

right attitude to have.” Appeased, Grace hung up the phone and beckoned Charles and Sonia

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

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

Sonia agreed, nodding earnestly. “Your offer is

are almost never at home. There

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 when you barely have

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

and leaped away from

he did so, he sang

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

sky darkened. Sonia glanced at the time, and

to stay the night, but she turned it down

urged as she shoved her

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

she hummed in response, then waved at Grace jovially. “Goodbye, Mrs.

“Goodbye.” Grace waved back.

walked out of the

Bayside Residence an hour later, Sonia unfastened her seatbelt and opened the car

“Okay,” Charles answered breezily.

rounded the

a message from Grace, which read, ‘Charles, I’ve set up a date for you and Sonia at Alaric’s equestrian facility. Alaric knows all about it, and the room in

lips twitched when he read

to play matchmaker after all. A date, however… There 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,

stopped in her tracks and turned

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

She couldn’t quite hear what he had said, given how softly he