Mr. CEO Your Wife Has Wanted a Divorce for a Long Time novel Chapter 464

**Chapter 464**

That afternoon, as the sun dipped lower in the sky, painting the world in warm hues, Maggie stepped into the familiar confines of the Miller residence. The air was filled with the faint scent of freshly baked cookies, a comforting aroma that always welcomed her home. Just as she closed the door behind her, she caught the sound of Isabella’s cheerful voice drifting through the hallway, her laughter mingling with the static of a phone call.

“Mom!” Isabella exclaimed, her face lighting up like a thousand suns the moment she spotted Maggie.

Maggie felt a rush of warmth at the sight of her daughter, her heart swelling with affection. But before she could respond, Isabella darted toward her, the phone clutched tightly in her small hand. “Mom, Dad wants to talk to you!” she announced, her excitement palpable.

Maggie hesitated for a brief moment, her heart sinking at the mention of Franklin. With a resigned sigh, she took the phone from Isabella, bringing it to her ear. “Hello,” she said, her voice steady but tinged with an undercurrent of tension.

“Happy birthday,” Franklin’s voice came through, smooth yet distant.

For two agonizing seconds, silence enveloped Maggie. She felt a mix of emotions swirling within her—gratitude, resentment, and a deep-seated longing. “Thank you,” she finally replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

This should have been the moment to acknowledge the extravagant gift he had sent her, to express her appreciation for the diamond that sparkled like a distant star. But the words remained lodged in her throat, unspoken.

Franklin, on the other end, didn’t bring it up either, as if that dazzling gem held no significance to him. “I’m busy here,” he stated matter-of-factly. “It’ll be a while before I can come back.”

Maggie’s lips pressed into a thin line, understanding the implications of his words all too well. The distance between them felt insurmountable, a chasm that seemed to grow wider with each passing day.

“What’s wrong?” Franklin asked after a moment of silence, his voice probing yet cool.

“Are you angry?” he continued, sensing the tension.

Maggie chose silence, letting it hang in the air like a heavy fog. “Is there anything else?” she finally replied, her tone icy.

If only he had extended an invitation, even a small one, they could have shared in the fortune. Kevin didn’t need to say it outright; the unspoken understanding hung heavy in the air, palpable among the gathered family.

But Logan, ever the realist, interjected with a grounded perspective. “These aren’t projects just anyone can join. If something goes awry, Franklin bears the risk. The capital required is enormous.”

In other words, they were out of their depth, unable to even entertain the thought of joining him.

Kevin dismissed Logan’s caution with a wave of his hand. “If Franklin truly wanted to help, he would find a way.”

Julia remained silent, her thoughts swirling. Deep down, she recognized the truth in her uncle’s words. If Franklin had wished to assist the Brown family, he certainly had the means to do so.

Just a month or two ago, she would have confidently asserted that he would have moved mountains to support her. But now, as the distance between them grew, uncertainty clouded her heart. The warmth of their past felt like a distant memory, overshadowed by the reality of their present.