The Ex-Wife's Triumph novel Chapter 84

After dinner, Kingsley didn't go out as he usually might. instead, he went straight to his room to catch up on sleep.

He had just drifted into a light slumber when his phone rang abruptly, jarring and annoying. Seeing it was Thurston, he frowned deeply and swiped to answer, his voice heavy with impatience.

"Thurston, this better be important."

"Of course it's important!" Thurston's voice was hushed and urgent. "Don't contact me lately. Don't even send messages. Got it?"

Kingsley scoffed, his tone dripping with mockery. "Thurston, you're pathetic."

Before Thurston could respond, Kingsley hung up, immediately added Thurston to his blacklist, and switched his phone to airplane mode in one fluid motion. Only then did he lie back down, closing his eyes to resume his interrupted sleep.

On the other end, listening to the busy signal, Thurston sighed helplessly. He whispered a defense to his phone, "This isn't being pathetic; it's assessing the situation! Besides, I have a wife and daughter. What do you have?"

His caution was due to Jane recently becoming pregnant with their second child. Thurston was spoiling her rotten, terrified of upsetting her. After much thought, he decided to cut contact with Kingsley temporarily—getting involved in Kingsley's drama would be messy and might stress Jane out.

In the quiet of a Swiss manor, sunlight filtered through the French windows and spilled in warm patches across the carpet.

Lucy was helping Seven with building blocks.

The little boy was focused on constructing a castle while she watched quietly, occasionally handing him the right piece. Suddenly, Seven's hand slipped, knocking the blocks over. Several pieces rolled to the edge of the carpet.

She didn't delay. She gave Seven the appropriate dose of fever reducer and carried him to the bathroom for physical cooling. After filling the tub with warm water, she gently placed Seven inside, adding his favorite rubber goose to distract him.

Crouching by the tub with a soft towel, Lucy dipped it in the water and wiped Seven's shoulders, arms, and legs. Her movements were gentle and focused, hoping the water would help bring his temperature down quickly.

After only a few minutes in the water, Seven lifted his little arms, weakly reaching out for a hug.

Lucy immediately took a bath towel from the nanny, scooped the little boy out of the water, and wrapped him securely in the soft fabric.

Bundled up and warm, Seven leaned against Lucy, nuzzling her gently as he whispered, "Mommy."