THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 426

Caitlin never liked keeping secrets.

She’d never thought divorce was something to be ashamed of, either.

“I know,” Gordon said, his nerves getting the better of him. He’d rehearsed his confession a dozen times last night, but now, standing in front of her, every word had slipped from his mind. All he could do was improvise. “But… what does that have to do with how I feel about you?”

He loved Caitlin. The person, not her past.

It didn’t matter to him whether she’d been married before, or how many boyfriends she’d had. None of that changed how he felt.

He loved the woman standing in front of him, here and now.

“Then why do you like me?” Caitlin pressed, her tone calm but curious.

Gordon lifted his eyes to meet hers. For the first time, he looked directly into his own heart. He’d already made up his mind to confess—there was no point in holding anything back. “Honestly? I fell for you the first time we met. I’ve never met anyone who was on my wavelength before, but you… you’re different.”

“You don’t just keep up with me—you outshine me in so many ways.”

“Truthfully, I’ve never met a woman like you.”

First time we met?

Caitlin arched an eyebrow at that. “If I remember right, our first meeting was in the hospital elevator.”

Gordon shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. “That was actually the second time. The first time was that night.”

She blinked, surprised.

She’d worn such heavy makeup that night, even Skyler hadn’t recognized her. Caitlin had always assumed Gordon hadn’t either.

But apparently, he had.

“You recognized me that night?” she asked.

Gordon nodded. “I’m thirty-one. In the past thirty years, I’ve never dated anyone, never had some unattainable crush or old flame. I never believed in love. To me, love was the cheapest thing in the world. But after I met you, for the first time, I understood what it meant to have my heart race.”

He hesitated, then added, “There’s an old saying—I used to think it was nonsense—‘Of all the illnesses in the world, longing is the one without a cure.’ Now, I get it.”

“Caitlin, money has always been my number one priority. My bank account meant more to me than anything. But from today on, I’ll treasure you above all else.”

With that, Gordon pulled out a sleek black credit card and slid it across the table.

“This is my promise to you.”

Before the words had even faded, he produced a folder and placed it in front of her. “This is a gift agreement—no strings attached.”

He’d heard too many stories about messy breakups turning into legal battles. Gordon wanted no room for regret or hesitation, so he’d had his lawyer draw up the paperwork.

He meant what he said. He’d finally met someone more important than money.

He was sure he knew what she was about to say: every woman wants security, and any relationship not headed for marriage is just playing games.

So the answer was obvious—she wanted him to reconsider his stance on marriage.

“I agree, Catie. Whatever you want, I’ll do it. I promise,” Gordon said, nodding eagerly.

Caitlin held his gaze, her eyes calm and clear as she continued, “Actually, I don’t believe in marriage either. I’ve already been through one dull marriage, and I have no intention of repeating the experience. To avoid complications, if we’re going to be together, I’d rather we keep it private—no telling family or friends. That way, if things don’t work out, there’s no awkwardness or pressure.”

She was serious—dead serious.

It was precisely because she didn’t believe in marriage that she’d avoided relationships all her life.

So when Caitlin learned Gordon shared her views, she’d felt relieved. With both of them on the same page, it would save them a world of trouble—no guilt, no expectations.

Gordon sat there, stunned.

Wait—what?!

Caitlin was anti-marriage too?

Was he hearing this right?

For the first time in his life, Gordon realized what it felt like when life threw your own words right back at you.