Mr. CEO Your Wife Has Wanted a Divorce for a Long Time novel Chapter 459

**Freedom 459**

**Chapter 459**

Maggie felt a knot tighten in her stomach as she faced Franklin, her thoughts swirling with frustration. She turned her attention to Isabella, trying to redirect the moment. “Isabella, your mom still has work to finish up tomorrow, so—”

Before she could finish, Isabella eagerly interjected, “Then we can just go back early tomorrow!” Her youthful enthusiasm was palpable, a bright spark in the dimming evening light.

Maggie fell silent, her gaze shifting back to Franklin. The look in her eyes was unmistakable: you brought this upon us, now you handle it.

Franklin met her gaze, the weight of her unspoken words hanging in the air between them. A faint smile crept across his lips, as if he understood the silent exchange.

He reached out and affectionately patted Isabella’s head, a gesture of reassurance. “Since Mom has some important things to take care of, we’ll head home first. We can always come back to enjoy the stars another time.”

Isabella’s face broke into a bright smile, her disappointment quickly fading. She had already made wonderful memories that day. “Okay!” she chirped, her voice brimming with cheerfulness.

As they prepared to leave, the staff at the estate busily packed some fresh fruit for their journey. The manager approached them with a friendly smile, asking, “Would you like to take the wine you made this afternoon?”

They had carefully used two separate jars, ensuring each could take one home, a small token of their creative efforts.

Maggie nodded, her voice firm. “I’ll take mine.” She figured that this would likely be her last visit to the estate with Franklin, so she might as well savor the moment and bring a piece of it home.

Franklin glanced at her, a flicker of understanding passing between them, before he added, “Leave one jar here.” It was a simple suggestion, yet it felt loaded with meaning.

A moment later, they climbed into the car, the private estate fading from view as they drove away.

An hour later, Franklin pulled up to the Miller residence, and as the car came to a stop, Isabella sprang into action. She bounded up the stairs with her little backpack, excitement radiating from her as she rushed to shower and prepare for bed.

Once she was finished showering, she opened her backpack to retrieve her phone, only to discover it had completely run out of battery. A wave of panic washed over her as she plugged it in and turned it on. To her surprise, several unread messages from Julia flashed on the screen.

Feeling a twinge of guilt, she quickly dialed Julia’s number, her heart racing a little.

Julia picked up swiftly, but before she could say anything, Isabella blurted out, “I’m so sorry, Aunt Julia! I didn’t bring my phone this afternoon, so I missed your messages.”

Julia’s voice came through, warm and gentle as ever. “That’s perfectly fine, sweetheart. I just spoke with your dad. He mentioned you went fruit-picking today. Did you enjoy it?”

Later, when Monday rolled around, Maggie brought a portion of the fruit home and decided to share some at the office.

Glen, catching sight of her, inquired casually, “You went to that private estate over the weekend?”

Surprised, Maggie replied, “Yes, how did you know?”

“I went there a while back with some friends,” he said, holding up a peach. “The manager mentioned their orchard is the only one in New York growing this particular variety. They weren’t ripe yet when I visited.”

Maggie had heard whispers about the rarity of the fruits there, but she hadn’t realized just how unique they truly were.

Glen’s gaze lingered on her for a moment, and she sensed an undercurrent of regret in his expression. If he had known she would be there that weekend, he might have—

Maggie caught his eye, and before the moment could stretch uncomfortably, she quickly looked away, breaking the connection.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with the others in the office, she made her way to Johnny’s office.

Johnny had just returned to the company, and upon seeing her there early on a Monday morning, his brow furrowed in confusion. “It’s Monday. You didn’t go with Franklin to get the divorce papers?”