THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 1183

In the past, Elsa's mother wouldn't have cared about a luxury apartment. But times had changed. The Johnsons were just another ordinary family now, nothing special at all.

Since their family went downhill, Elsa's mother had started seeing the world differently. That apartment was worth over ten million. It might be nothing to Caitlin, but for them, it was a fortune. She wasn't a greedy person; she just wanted what she felt her family was owed. Gertrude and Elsa were both Caitlin's friends, so why should Caitlin only give to Gertrude and not to Elsa?

With a sigh, she continued, "Miss Kensington has always been on a different level. I know you've probably had to put up with a lot since our family lost its standing, but sometimes you just have to swallow your pride."

Elsa's heart ached. So her mother knew. She knew she'd been suffering in her friendship with Caitlin. What mother wouldn't want to protect her child, to shield them from humiliation? But there was nothing she could do. Even now, she was advising her daughter to bow her head and endure it.

Not wanting to worry her, Elsa nodded. "I will, Mom."

Her mother added one last instruction. "When Miss Kensington gets back, make sure you invite her over for a home-cooked meal."

Elsa nodded again.

Her mother walked her to the elevator and only turned to go back inside once the doors had closed.

As soon as she stepped back into the apartment, her husband looked up. "Do you feel like Elsa was… different this time? Like something's changed?"

He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he had a heavy, uneasy feeling in his chest, a sense that something was wrong.

"Not at all," her mother said, shaking her head. "You're just overthinking things."

Her husband glanced toward the front door, as if he wanted to say more, but in the end, he remained silent.

--

At the Sylvester estate, Beatrice doted on the children as if they were the apples of her eye. But back at the Gonzales home, it was a whole team effort in spoiling them.

Gordon nodded in agreement, putting on his best stern-father face. "Caitie's right. Mom, Grandma, Grandpa, they're not idiots. They'll eat when they're hungry. You're going to spoil them rotten!"

"I never spoil them," he declared. "If they don't want to eat, they can go hungry for all I care."

Caitlin was about to commend him when Stuart Gonzales came running out with a bowl. "Gemma, Gemma, please just have one more bite? Freya, Gemma's already so petite, and she's only had two bites all evening. Can you come help me convince her?"

Before Caitlin could say a word, Gordon's heart melted. He immediately took the bowl from Stuart. "I'll feed her, Dad."

He crouched down, turning to Gemma with a cooing, high-pitched voice. "Daddy's here to feed you! How about you take a bite, and Daddy will bark like Monday for you?"