THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 297

Tammie’s expression grew complicated as he listened to Ann.

He glanced back at Caitlin.

Married and divorced at nineteen.

It just goes to show—

You really can’t judge a book by its cover.

Caitlin always seemed so gentle, so put-together.

But…

Ann watched Tammie’s face carefully, her lips curling with a practiced, sisterly smile before she continued, “Tammie, I’m not telling you about Freya’s divorce to stir up trouble. I just think she’s had it rough. I hope you’ll look out for her, like all thirteen of the Richards brothers do. She deserves to be loved and protected, especially after growing up in the countryside with so little for so many years.”

She put on the perfect act of a caring older sister, her Oscar-worthy performance making it almost impossible to tell where the truth ended and the lies began.

Ann went on, “People say good girls don’t just up and leave their families for no reason—I honestly don’t know why Freya married so young, or why she got divorced. But one thing I do know, it can’t have been her fault. She’s such a wonderful girl; she’d never do anything out of line. Tammie, please—don’t judge her just because she’s been married before.”

Her words seemed to defend Caitlin, but in truth, they did more harm than good.

Ann’s intentions had been clear from the start.

She was going to drive Caitlin out of the Gonzales family, one step at a time.

She wanted everyone to turn their backs on Caitlin.

To isolate her.

And sure enough, Tammie’s expression shifted as Ann spoke.

Especially at that line—good girls don’t just abandon their families—

It ripped open a wound Tammie thought had long since healed.

It bled, raw and fresh.

Suddenly, he was five years old again, clinging to his mother’s leg, begging her not to leave.

But she’d pushed him away without a backward glance.

And as soon as she was gone, his father had jumped from the eighteenth floor.

Tammie would never forget that morning.

Overnight, he went from being a happy child in a loving family to an orphan.

“Does she have any children?” Tammie asked at last.

He didn’t even use Caitlin’s name anymore. She was just “she” now.

“No, she doesn’t,” Ann replied, shaking her head. “Well—as for whether she’s ever had a pregnancy terminated, I really couldn’t say. She’s so young, it’s normal if she didn’t want any kids, right? Honestly, it’s probably for the best. You never know how much damage it might do to a child, growing up with divorced parents. They’re always the real victims.”

Tammie’s face darkened.

She was right.

Children always suffer most when parents split up.

Harlan peeked at Caitlin, shy and silent.

Mrs. Somerset explained, “He’s just not one for greetings, Miss Gonzales. Please don’t mind.”

“Not at all,” Caitlin replied warmly. “It’s perfectly normal for kids his age to be shy.”

Mrs. Somerset sighed, “It’s not just that. He hasn’t been sleeping well lately, wakes up in the middle of the night, hardly eats. I’m worried sick.”

Caitlin glanced at Harlan. “Mrs. Somerset, has this only started in the last couple of months?”

“Yes!” Mrs. Somerset’s eyes widened in surprise. “How did you know, Miss Gonzales?”

Keira beamed with pride. “Mrs. Somerset, my granddaughter has quite the talent for medicine—she’s very gifted!”

Ann, standing just behind them, overheard every word.

A doctor? Ann’s eyes filled with scorn.

Keira really wasn’t afraid of making a fool of herself.

As if Caitlin knew anything about medicine—what a joke.

“Really?” Mrs. Somerset said eagerly. “Would you mind taking a look at Harlan, Miss Gonzales? Is this something serious?”

“Of course,” Caitlin replied.

She bent down slightly. “Harlan, would you let me check your wrist?”

With that, Caitlin gently took Harlan’s hand in hers.