Mr Melendez Your Wife Wants Divorce Long Ago novel Chapter 178

**Her Spark Ignites Tonight**
By J.S. Caldwell

**Chapter 178**

As the phone call connected, Arabella’s voice took on a soothing quality, “My department is having a get-together tonight, so I’ll be back quite late.” The words felt rehearsed, almost like a script she had practiced in her mind.

Silence hung in the air on the other end of the line, and then, without a word, Jayceon ended the call.

Arabella’s brow furrowed, a flicker of confusion crossing her face. What had just transpired?

Just then, as if summoned by her thoughts, Jayceon appeared before her, his presence both familiar and unsettling.

Taking a breath, Arabella found herself hesitating. “I have a dinner with my colleagues tonight. You should head home first,” she suggested, her tone firm yet gentle, hoping to deflect any disappointment he might feel.

Jayceon, however, reached over and effortlessly lifted the bag from her shoulder, his grip warm and reassuring. “But I made a reservation. I was looking forward to celebrating with you,” he replied, his voice carrying an unexpected softness that caught her off guard.

Arabella had anticipated a bit of pushback, perhaps a plea to change her plans, but to her surprise, Jayceon acquiesced without much fuss. His only stipulation was that he would drive her to the venue.

As they arrived at the hotel entrance, Jayceon stepped out of the car, opening the door with a flourish. He took her hand in his, his gaze steady and kind. “Have fun. I’ll come pick you up later tonight,” he said, a hint of warmth in his tone that made her heart flutter despite the circumstances.

Their eyes locked, and for a brief moment, the world around them faded. Arabella sensed a shift in Jayceon over the past couple of days, as if he were navigating a storm within himself. The pressure from their families weighed heavily on him, and she wondered if that was why he seemed so erratic, caught in a web of emotions he couldn’t quite unravel.

As laughter erupted from her colleagues behind her, Arabella discreetly withdrew her hand. “Drive safe on your way back,” she called out, her voice trailing off as Jayceon lingered for just a moment longer before retreating to the car.

Once he was gone, Arabella and her colleagues stepped into the restaurant, where they were greeted by an air of celebration. No one observing them would ever suspect they were in the midst of a divorce.

Inside the private dining room, the atmosphere shifted as a female colleague leaned in, her voice brimming with excitement. “Let me tell you all, Director Palmer’s husband is tall, handsome, and incredibly stylish—he’s even better looking than some celebrities!”

Sophie, her assistant, chimed in with wide eyes, “We saw him too! When he spoke to Director Palmer, he was so gentle, and his voice was just… lovely.”

She held Georgina’s gaze, contemplating her response. After a brief silence, she nodded, “Of course.”

Georgina’s expression shifted, doubt clouding her features. “Then how do you plan to help me?” she pressed, her vulnerability surfacing.

Arabella could sense the weight of the situation. Jayceon had confronted Georgina with unexpected intensity. If she hadn’t made a solemn promise regarding her son, Jayceon would have never let her off the hook so easily. His acknowledgment of the child was merely a protective measure, a way to ensure their safety.

In this game of emotional chess, Georgina was undeniably at a disadvantage. Before the divorce was finalized, revealing her true intentions was a perilous move. Arabella needed to ascertain whether Georgina believed her words about wanting to help.

Caught off guard by Georgina’s inquiry, Arabella paused, searching for the right words. “Don’t rush things. Just wait for the right opportunity,” she finally advised, her voice steady.

Impatience flickered in Georgina’s eyes. “Mrs. Melendez, you don’t need to placate me,” she replied, her tone probing and earnest. “Yesterday afternoon, Jay came to my place. He wanted to stay the night to spend time with me and our child. It took everything I had to convince him to go home. I genuinely want to get along with you. If you can’t bring yourself to divorce Jay, I’m fine with things continuing as they are.”

Arabella regarded Georgina, her expression unwavering. So, after Jayceon had returned her to her parents’ home yesterday, he had gone straight to Georgina. It must have been exhausting for him to maintain such a convincing facade in front of her.