THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 972

Keeley was worried about what he was going to eat that night.

To avoid being spotted in a town where everyone knew him, he'd gone out for food only after dark, mask on. The shame of it kept him hiding.

A man lives by his reputation. For the first half of his life, Keeley had defied his parents to marry Gerda, a divorcée. He'd worked himself to the bone for her children, even giving up on having a child of his own. After Gerda died, his stepchildren had turned on him, welcoming their biological father back and kicking Keeley out of the house. He had become the town's laughingstock.

And now, history was repeating itself. He had been thrown out by his own flesh-and-blood nephews. How could he possibly face his old acquaintances again?

When he heard Caitlin's voice, Keeley froze, a flash of excitement on his face.

But he shook it off just as fast. He'd heard wrong.

Caitlin was in The Capital, over a thousand kilometers away. How could he possibly hear her voice here?

It was nothing but wishful thinking, fueled by days of desperate hope to see Fortune and Caitlin again.

He went back to rummaging through the trash. He only dared to come out in the mornings and evenings, so he hadn't eaten much at midday. His stomach was growling, a hollow ache in his gut. He needed to find something to eat, anything.

Fortune looked around, puzzled. "Catie, are you sure? Where's Keeley? I don't see him."

Caitlin pointed to the figure at the trash can. "I think that's him."

Fortune followed her finger. He squinted, then shook his head in disbelief. "That... that can't be him, can it?"

The person was dressed in ragged clothes, his hair matted. A mask covered his face as he bent over, completely focused on his search. He looked like a typical homeless person. Fortune couldn't reconcile this image with the well-kept Keeley he knew.

"Let's go have a look," Caitlin said.

"Alright." Fortune nodded and followed her.

They quickly reached the trash can. It was only when they were up close that Fortune could believe his eyes. It was him. It was really Keeley. He could never have imagined that his cheerful old friend would be reduced to scavenging for food. It was as if all his pride and dignity had been crushed overnight.

A lump formed in Fortune's throat. He wanted to say something, but when he opened his mouth, no words came out.

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