novelDivorce Papers
| ← Ch.318 | Ch.320 → |
A few weeks later, Keeley took the twins on their daily walk around Central Park. Some mornings she used the stroller and others she carried them in a double wrap on her torso.
They had recently learned how to hold up their heads so they loved being in the wrap and looking around at everything while being attached to their mother. This particular morning they were in the wrap. She liked to switch things up for the sake of her back.
As she walked in circles around the park, she thought about how good things had been since the takeover. Sure, she got a lot of disbelieving comments on Facebook and Instagram but that had been the worst of it. Neither Alistair nor Roslyn had tried contacting her, which she was grateful for.
Keeley's Facebook friends knew who her husband was because of how she had updated her relationship status but her Instagram followers didn't because she didn't use her last name on there. Her profile had always said 'Keeley H. ' Though nearly everyone in New York City knew Aaron's name, they didn't know his face.
None of her Facebook friends had squealed to the media so far either. She was able to continue enjoying her anonymity for now but she didn't know how long it would last. Someone would rat her out eventually.
But right now people were more interested in the news that Gray (at least she assumed it was Gray) leaked the day after Aaron became the CEO. She was a bit grateful to him. With everyone shocked about Alistair Hale's illegitimate child the people were less concerned about how Aaron managed to take over the company at age 25.
She had seen multiple gossip rags talk about how the two most eligible bachelors in the city were actually brothers. It was hot news. Too bad they didn't know the truth. Aaron was as far from a bachelor as possible.
He was the most aggressively affectionate family man she had ever encountered, which was nuts if you had ever interacted with the guy. Sometimes even Keeley had a hard time believing this was the same man she married in her first life.
The sun was beating down on her and the babies were getting cranky so it was time to head back home and put them down for their morning nap. She waited on a bench for the driver to show up. Aaron didn't want her taking the subway with two babies by herself, which was somewhat understandable.
She scrolled through her phone until an elegant but weary voice sounded from her left."Do you mind if I sit here?"
Keeley looked up and saw a rather disheveled Alice. She had forgotten that this park was fairly close to the ritzy part of town. Running into her shouldn't have been as surprising as it was.
"Of course not! Go right ahead. How are you?"
Alice yawned and leaned her head against the back of the bench. That wasn't the sort of thing Keeley would have expected a high society woman to do—this was a dirty public park after all—but she supposed the woman must be different than the other socialites. Aaron wouldn't trust her otherwise.
"Not great, " she admitted."I served my husband the divorce papers this morning and got kicked out of the house. He's so furious that he won't even let me back inside to collect my things."
Keeley frowned."Why is he so angry if he's the one cheating?"
Aaron had filled her in on Alice's situation after he helped her get a lawyer. There was enough evidence of his infidelity that there shouldn't be any difficulty for her to be granted the divorce.
The problem would be the prenuptial agreement. It weighed largely in Brock's favor. Alice's family would get their dowry back but there wasn't much else mentioned that would help her out.
"It's a pride thing. Men in my social circle practically get away with murder when it comes to what they do behind their wives' backs but hardly anyone divorces. Plus he'll probably fight against splitting assets and giving me fair alimony tooth and nail.
"I don't have a job though because he didn't want me to have one. The courts will have to rule in my favor that way...at least, that's what my lawyer says. I was such an idiot. I never should have married him at all."
Misery was clear on Alice's pretty face and Keeley's heart ached for her. She used to think the exact same way. It was all water under the bridge now but it didn't take away the fact that she had experienced years of similar pain.
She comfortingly put an arm around Alice's shoulders. A bit surprised, she jolted before sinking into the other woman's embrace. Alice rested her head on Keeley's shoulder as the tears began to fall.
"I don't know what to do. I tried calling my parents but they're just as angry as Brock is. They won't let me stay with them. All I have now is my purse and the clothes I'm wearing."
"Do you need money?" Keeley asked.
She shook her head."No, my lawyer advised me to clean out the bank account I have access to before giving Brock the divorce papers. I moved it all to an account in my name only so I have a few hundred thousand dollars but it won't be enough to last me long. I need to find a place to live and replace all of my clothes."
"You can stay with us for now, " Keeley said firmly."You're a little taller than I am but my clothes should fit you. Provided you don't mind not wearing high end brands."
"I don't mind at all! But...are you sure? I don't want to be a burden."
She let out a small laugh."Help me out with these two rascals and I'll consider us even. It's hard taking care of them by myself while Aaron is at work."
Alice's tears only increased and she buried her face in her hands. Keeley understood what she was feeling. Unexpected kindness could be quite overwhelming, especially when you were at your lowest.
Her phone buzzed; the driver was letting her know he had arrived. Keeley stood and offered a hand to help Alice up.
"Come on, my driver is here. Let's go back to my place and we'll figure something out. I know what it's like to lose everything. No matter what it takes, I'll help you get back on your feet."
Alice accepted it gratefully and smiled despite the tears in her eyes."You're such a good person. Thank you."
| ← Ch. 318 | Ch. 320 → |