Chapter 72

Before Thanksgiving, Elise had already wanted to finalize the divorce, but Samuel had kept stalling. "Once Grandma's birthday banquet is over, I'm going to find Samuel," she said. "It has to be settled today." … At the main table, Zara placed a small piece of chocolate cake in front of Lucas and gently soothed him. "Here, have a bite. This is your great-grandmother's 80th birthday—it's very important. Whatever you want to say, I'll take you to your mom later, alright?" Lucas frowned, still sulking. "Mom should just stay home. Every time she comes out, she causes trouble." Zara sighed softly. "That's not nice, Lucas. If your mom heard you say that, she'd be very sad." Lucas crossed his arms. "Once she divorces Dad, she won't be my mom anymore!" Elise happened to be walking past the main table on her way to the restroom. They couldn't see her, but she could see them, and she heard every word. Henry, seated nearby, let out a cold laugh. "What a waste. She'd have been better off b