Urging Him to Get a Divorce (Aveline and Xavier) novel Chapter 805

**A Divorce**

Courtney stood in the dimly lit room, the weight of unspoken words heavy in the air. She found it nearly impossible to utter the phrase “real dad.” The very thought twisted in her stomach like a coiled snake, refusing to let her voice it aloud. Jacob had been her father for over two decades, a constant presence in her life, even if he wasn’t her biological parent. It was a truth she had never wanted to confront. But now, the revelation loomed over her like a dark cloud, casting shadows over her memories.

Her thoughts drifted to the man who had just shattered her world. Paul Baldwin, more handsome than Jacob, had just taken a life. The irony was not lost on her; the man she had always known as “Dad” was gone, and in his place stood the specter of her real father, a man she barely knew.

“Josie,” Courtney began, her voice trembling slightly, “his name is Paul Baldwin. He was my classmate in high school and my first love. He was kind to me, but… he wasn’t exactly the most reliable person.” The memories flooded back—sweet, innocent moments tainted now by the harsh realities of the present.

Josephine’s eyes widened in disbelief, her mind racing to comprehend the implications of her mother’s words. “So, he’s my real dad?”

Courtney let out a heavy sigh, the truth weighing down on her more than she anticipated. “Jacob had a low sperm count. Just look at Bethany; she was with him for so many years and only had one daughter, Aveline.” She paused, collecting herself before delivering the final blow. “When you were born, I had it checked. Your biological father is Paul, not Jacob. The son I lost in a miscarriage… he was also Paul’s.”

Josephine stood frozen, her mind grappling with the enormity of the revelation. It felt like the ground beneath her was crumbling away. If Jacob were still alive and discovered this truth, Courtney feared the worst. He might have turned his rage upon her, perhaps even resorting to violence.

“Don’t panic,” Courtney urged, sensing her daughter’s turmoil. “Paul may have connections with the Triads, but he truly cares for me. He won’t harm us.”

“Connections with the Triads?” Josephine echoed, her voice laced with apprehension.

“Don’t fret. He merely knows those people; he’s not involved in anything illegal. I helped him get started with a gym, and he’s doing quite well,” Courtney explained, attempting to reassure her daughter, though her own heart was heavy with uncertainty. “But now that Jacob is gone, things are becoming complicated.”

Josephine’s mind raced as she grasped her mother’s hand tightly. “Mom, even if you had my real dad and Hilda carry Jacob away to be buried, he’s still missing. Someone is bound to notice.”

Courtney contemplated the situation, her brow furrowed in thought. “Aveline doesn’t care about her father anymore, so she won’t ask questions. If Jacob is gone for a while, the only ones who might inquire are Martha and Devin’s family.”

“We can say he’s hiding from loan sharks, and we don’t know where he went. We have no information to offer.”

Unease settled in Josephine’s stomach. No matter the circumstances, Jacob had been her father for so long, showering her with affection and support. Yet, she couldn’t shake the memory of his violent outburst from the night before, the knife glinting dangerously in his hand. What if he had truly seen her as a threat?

“Mom, what about Jacob’s debts?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

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