Farewell to Love: The CEO's Desperate Chase novel Chapter 236

As soon as they stepped into the restaurant, a server hurried over to greet them.

“Mr. Erickson, Mrs. Erickson, Miss—” The server smiled, ready to finish the introduction.

“I’m Bella,” the little girl piped up before he could.

The server nodded, still smiling. “Miss Bella. Right this way, please.”

He led them through the bustling first floor, passing under sparkling chandeliers, then up the stairs to the second level. At the end of the hall, he opened the door to a private suite with sweeping views of the ocean—a coveted spot in the entire restaurant.

Tyler stepped ahead and pulled out chairs for Emilia and Bella. Emilia, however, avoided his gaze and busied herself, lifting Bella’s backpack to set it aside.

“I’ll take that,” Tyler offered, reaching for the bag and placing it neatly on a nearby rack.

Emilia pressed her lips together, saying nothing. She sat quietly beside Bella, then poured a glass of warm water for her daughter.

Watching Emilia’s gentle care, Tyler felt a flood of emotions he couldn’t name.

The suite was serenely quiet, with only the soft notes of a piano drifting in from the main hall and the distant rush of the tide beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows. The ocean’s restless movement seemed to echo the turmoil in his chest.

He watched as Emilia helped Bella sip her water and wiped her little hands with a damp napkin. This—this was the kind of moment he’d dreamed of for years.

When Bella’s hands were clean, Tyler handed over a menu.

“Let’s see what Bella would like to eat,” he suggested.

Emilia took it, and mother and daughter began to discuss the options together, leaving Tyler in silence.

He felt like an outsider.

Emilia quietly chose dishes that Bella could eat, barely acknowledging Tyler’s presence. She had no idea what he wanted from this meeting—she just wanted to get through the evening in peace.

“You mean Vivienne?” Emilia asked bluntly.

Tyler turned to her, meeting her gaze.

Her eyes were calm. No anger. The way she brought up the topic made it sound as if she were talking about someone else’s life.

“I’ve thought about it these past few days,” Emilia said carefully. She reminded herself why she was here—to convince Tyler to finalize their divorce tomorrow. That was all that mattered.

She continued, “You’re right in a way. She doesn’t have much time left. It’s only fair for you to be with her.”

As she spoke, Emilia reached for Bella’s plate, intent on making sure her daughter was fed.

Her mind was made up. As soon as the divorce papers were signed, she would be free. Whatever Tyler did with another woman would no longer be her concern.

All she wanted now was to reclaim the Dennis family’s old company, uncover the truth behind her father’s death, restore her family’s legacy, and build a joyful life for herself and Bella.