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.

fireworks by the time

explained apologetically, “I’m afraid that’s not possible. The facility’s been

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

It seems as if

a crowd at all.” Her eyes 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

grew a little

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

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 guests about

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

shirt. She sprawled on the couch in a

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

“Your offer is too good to resist, Mrs.

I’m not asking you to resist it at all! I love cooking, and Charles and Curtis are almost

“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

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

in his hand and leaped away from her,

he sang mischievously,

on the other hand, burst into laughter as she watched the slapstick comedy that

Sonia glanced at the time, and when she saw that it was nearly

to stay the night, but she

Grace urged as she shoved her son

grabbed the car keys from the coffee table and said, “Come on,

as she hummed in response, then waved at Grace

“Goodbye.” Grace waved back.

the villa. Then, they got in the car and drove

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

“Okay,” Charles answered breezily.

door and rounded the car,

Alaric knows all about it, and

when he read

car window, and when he saw that Sonia was about to go into the lobby,

stopped in her tracks and turned around.

his features into his usual, nonchalant smile so that she couldn’t tell how nervous he

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