Grandmother's anger

"She hadn't expected Reginald to figure it out so quickly. Remembering what Northridge had said about keeping certain things from him to preserve the father-son relationship, she tried to maintain a facade of nonchalance.

"You mentioned divorce before. I've told you, I can't bear being with Chloe."

Reginald's hand rested on her back. "You're lying. I've deliberately distanced myself from her recently."

Arabella's lips curved upward, but her eyes held no mirth. "You two are childhood sweethearts, a perfect match. I'm just a hired hand for you. Now that your leg's better, this hired hand should leave."

She heard Reginald sharply inhale, and he held her tighter. "By saying that, you're demeaning yourself."

But he leaned in and whispered softly to her.

"I've never seen you as a hired hand, truly. You're my lawful wife, and I've always respected you."

Arabella felt a pang, but her tone remained light. "You were the one who proposed divorce first, and now you're dragging your feet. I admit,