There was no way Ariel could explain to Katie how Jayson had once fought her over this ring for Nancy’s sake or how he had used it to pressure her into signing the divorce agreement.

If she said all that, Katie might get so upset she’d fall ill again.

Still, Ariel did mention one thing. “I’ve filed for divorce. It’ll be finalized in a month.”

Katie paused for a long moment. Then she finally exhaled and nodded. “As long as things are settled. But Ari, was it just irreconcilable differences? Or did something happen?”

Ariel had long since learned to handle this kind of question. “We couldn’t build a connection. Rather than keep dragging it out, we figured we shouldn’t waste each other’s time.”

Katie’s expression darkened slightly. “Is it because you didn’t give him a child after three years?”

“Grandma, you’re overthinking. Jayson never cared about that,” Ariel replied with a light shake of her head.

If it had only been about children, it wouldn’t have ended this way.

Besides, Jayson had never even planned for her to carry his child.

Katie had expected Ariel to be downcast. But watching her now, she could tell that Ariel truly had let go. She finally felt reassured.

She reached out and gently patted Ariel’s hand. “As long as you’re okay, I’ll support whatever decision you

Ariel smiled, a softness flickering through her calm eyes.

make.‘

She stayed with Katie for the night and also explained Leonard’s situation. The liver match had been confirmed, and now they were just waiting for a surgery date.

For the Walker family, Ariel’s divorce and Leonard’s liver match felt like a double win.

On Wednesday morning, Ariel made a call to Georgia.

“Georgia, I can’t get in touch with Jayson. Could you let him know he needs to clear out his things from the study as soon as possible?”

Georgia didn’t quite understand what this meant but agreed nonetheless.

When Jayson received the call, he was in an elevator at Bluum Corp.

Georgia said over the phone, “Mr. Larkin, Mrs. Larkin asked me to relay something. Do you have a minute?”

The enclosed elevator space made it easy for others to overhear the conversation. The executives around him glanced at each other.

Mrs. Larkin? What was that about?

Jayson stood with one hand in his pocket. “Got it. Tell her I’ll take care of it when I have time.”

“Do you have any message for Mrs. Larkin in return?” Georgia asked.

“No.”

He then ended the call.

One of the executives chuckled. “Mr. Larkin, is the wedding with Ms. Stanton coming up? You’re already calling her Mrs. Larkin? That was about Ms. Stanton, right?”

Something crossed Jayson’s mind, and a faint smile tugged at his lips.

He didn’t respond, but he didn’t deny it either..

Back on Ariel’s end, Georgia called her back.

Once she relayed Jayson’s response, Ariel understood that Jayson had clearly given his new number to everyone around him—even Georgia had it.

Everyone but her.

Then again, it made sense. He probably figured there was no reason for them to speak again.

“He didn’t say when he’d come by?” Ariel asked.

“No. Do you need anything packed up? I could come by and help.”

“It’s fine.” Ariel’s voice was calm.

Those were Jayson’s things. She had no right to make the decision for him.

As for the marital home, she had no intention of staying there. She planned to sell it once Jayson cleared out.

She’d put a lot of care into decorating that place. But in the end, it was just a lifeless shell. To her, it meant nothing now.

…

By evening, Ariel went with Chad to a fine dining restaurant to meet Carlos.

As Chad parked the car and they headed inside together, they didn’t expect to run into Jayson and Nancy just before reaching the private room.

Ariel glanced up calmly and couldn’t help but see what was right in front of her. Nancy was resting a hand on Jayson’s arm as she bent down to straighten her outfit.