Chapter 77
The departure lounge.
Maeve stared down at the plane ticket in her hand. There was still over an hour until boarding.
While she waited, her phone rang. It was Jonathan Giles.
“How did it go p>
Maeve watched the flight schedules scrolling across the massive display board and answered softly.
“It didn’t work. I risked everything to get that evidence, and it was totally useless p>
Jonathan’s voice immediately dropped. “What went wrong p>
Maeve sniffled, her throat tight.
“That agreement was fake. Frederick… he p>
She choked on a sob, forcing herself to take several deep breaths, but her voice still trembled.
“From the very beginning, he never intended to take this marriage seriously. And now that I’ve exposed his lies, he still won’t let me go p>
This toxic marriage had pushed her to the absolute brink, forcing her to cross Frederick’s bottom lines and twisting her naturally gentle personality into something sharp and bitter.
Yet Frederick still acted as if nothing had happened, treating her the same way he always had.
He even managed to anticipate her every move, systematically cutting off all her escape routes.
This was no longer just about whether she could get a divorce. This was about Frederick flat-out refusing to let her go.
Jonathan remained silent for two long seconds before asking gravely,
“You could always use those photos to file a lawsuit against him. I just don’t know if that’s a route you’re willing to take. If you are, I will help you p>
“No Maeve knew perfectly well she was no match for Frederick. Jonathan and Yvette had always been incredibly kind to her, and she refused to drag them down with her.
If she couldn’t fight him, she could at least run away.
Once she was back in Silveridge with her parents, no matter how domineering and ruthless Frederick was, he wouldn’t be able to touch her.
“Then what are you Jonathan started to ask, but stopped abruptly when he heard the automated boarding announcements echoing in her background.
“Are you at the airport p>
“Yeah.” Maeve saw no reason to hide it from him.
“I bought a ticket to Silveridge. It takes off in an hour p>
She thanked him sincerely.
“Mr. Giles, thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me p>
When she finished, she wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination, but Jonathan’s breathing seemed to catch for a second. When he spoke again, his voice was slightly hoarse.
“Would Frederick really let you leave that easily p>
Just thinking about that lifted her spirits slightly. The end of her sentence pitched up in a rare note of relief.
“He went on a business trip to Havenport this morning. There’s no one left to stop me p>
“Give me a minute,” Jonathan said, the sound of rustling coming through the speaker.
Maeve looked confused. “What’s wrong p>
“I told you before, didn’t I?” Jonathan said warmly. “When it was time for you to go back to Silveridge, Delilah and I would come see you off. Her kindergarten is a bit too far for her to make it today, but I can p>
“You don’t have to. Once I’m settled in Silveridge, I’ll p>
Jonathan cut off her refusal.
“Wait for me p>
A high-end private hospital.
Frederick stood beside Zoe’s bed, listening to the doctor.
“Based on her recent scans, the baby is developing perfectly and is very healthy. However, Mrs. Fairchild’s weight is far too low. She needs to eat more to build up her strength, or the delivery will be incredibly taxing on her body p>
Frederick nodded in understanding. Once the doctor left, he turned his attention to Zoe.
“Zoe, are the meals the two nutritionists making not to your liking p>
Zoe bit her pale lip, speaking with an air of deep self-loathing.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with me. When I look at the food, I just don’t have any appetite. I barely even feel hungry anymore p>
She stole a cautious, fragile glance at Frederick before lowering her eyes again.
“I only ever have an appetite when you’re here eating with me p>
A dull headache throbbed at Frederick’s temples. He pinched the bridge of his nose, but looking at Zoe’s ghostly, bloodless face, he couldn’t bring himself to scold her.
Exhaling a heavy breath, he made a promise.
“I’ll try to carve out more time to eat with you from now on p>
Zoe’s head snapped up, a flicker of pure joy in her eyes.
“Really, Frederick p>
Staring into her deeply dependent gaze, Frederick’s tone softened significantly.