Ch. 159: Mr. Edwards’ Unraveled Life chapter 159

Chapter 159Norah was taken aback. Kevin had never been this gentle with her before.

If it weren’t for the three-year agreement, and if Bianca weren’t in the picture, she might’ve been swayed to stay by Kevin's sudden warmth.

Norah nodded. “I know Cody’s not a monster. But Kevin, there’s nothing wrong with me. Why don’t you believe me? Do I look sick to you? Or do I look… pregnant?” She threw it out there, hoping to crush any suspicions Kevin might have.

Kevin didn’t respond immediately, but her words seemed to trigger something. He studied her closely, recalling how recently she looked thinner, a bit pale.

“I’ll have the maid prepare some good food for you, and you should stay here while we’re going through this cooling-off period,” he said, his voice low and rough.

Norah nodded, resigned.

…

That night, as she got ready for bed, Norah chose a loose, checkered nightdress—something that didn’t cling to her shape. She lay down tensely, but soon Kevin joined her in bed.

“Relax. I’m just here to hold you,” he murmured in the dark.

Men’s promises were flimsy, and Norah knew better. She lay still, wary of him noticing her belly. “Let’s just sleep, Kevin. Tomorrow, we have an appointment. After that, I’ll start sleeping in a separate room. I don’t want any… accidents.”

Kevin didn’t argue like he usually would. “During the cooling-off period, if you were to get pregnant… we’d just go forward and have the baby.”

Norah froze.

Was he hinting he didn’t actually want a divorce? That he wanted to have a child with her? Without Bianca around, she might’ve believed him.

She rejected the idea quickly. “I don’t want to have a child with you, Kevin. Let’s just end this cleanly. We’ve had our contract marriage, each of us getting what we need. I’m still young—I don’t want to waste more time.”

“Just sleep.”

Kevin turned away, and Norah stayed wary, lying stiffly until she fell asleep. When she woke, she found herself nestled in his arms.

She felt a chill. Had Kevin done something while she was sleeping?

“I didn’t do anything,” Kevin said as if reading her thoughts. “Just held you while you slept. Now, get up and come downstairs for breakfast.” He watched her pull away and get dressed quickly.

She went down first and took over breakfast preparations from the maid, making porridge, egg noodles, and even stewing pears.

When Kevin came down, she greeted him warmly, “Breakfast is ready.”

The sunlight streaming in bathed Norah in a golden glow, and for a fleeting moment, Kevin felt a sense of peace, a memory of simpler times. But he knew it wouldn’t last—they had an appointment at the Civil Affairs Bureau.

They drove there together. Kevin drove, as he had when they got married. But today, the sky seemed clearer than it had on their wedding day.

Inside, they waited nearly half an hour at the divorce counter. When their turn came, the staff glanced over their marriage certificates and explained, “The soonest we can set you for is two months out.”

Norah’s heart sank. “Two months? Isn’t the cooling-off period only a month?”

“Yes, but demand is high, so that’s the earliest we can do. And since there are no disputes, it won’t go to court,” the staff added.

The realization hit Norah like a punch. By then, she’d be visibly pregnant. How could she divorce Kevin with a baby on the way? Would he even let her go?

Her mind raced, and a new idea formed: if she could prove Kevin’s attachment to Bianca, she could push for a quicker divorce. With proof and the terms of their marriage contract, she could argue to void the marriage.

“Norah,” Kevin’s voice broke through her thoughts. “Are you really so thrilled about divorcing me?”

His gaze bore into her, questioning her sudden shift from despair to determination.