No Divorce? The Billionaire's Love Chase! novel Chapter 222

And there, the conversation ended.

In the hospital room, York held Claudia quietly.

She let him hold her, not arguing, not struggling, and certainly not crying.

She understood now why York hadn't agreed to a divorce to give Ann and her son a future.

He was trying to protect them, wary of his grandfather's ruthlessness.

Ever since Ann saved him in college, York saw her differently. She left, had six hard years abroad, and returned with a child she said was his.

But Ann wasn't cunning enough to make York abandon everything for them. That meant she needed help.

It seemed her only way out was to get Ann to lower her guard.

She would have to team up with her, help her and her son secure their place.

Only then could she finally be free of this marriage.

Claudia rested quietly in York's arms, unnervingly still.

Her calmness did nothing to soothe him.

When Ann had first returned, Claudia had raised hell, even threatening suicide. Back then, he had found her hysterical and irrational, wishing she would just calm down.

Now, she was completely calm. She didn't cry, didn't shout, didn't argue.

But he didn't feel relieved at all. Instead, an unsettling emptiness grew inside him, a feeling that something was deeply wrong.

When Claudia asked for her phone, York got up to get it for her.

She texted her parents, telling them she and York were in Linshire City and would be back in a few days.

Claudia swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood before her. "That night, I took a beating from York's grandfather to help you get away. I've already shown my sincerity."

Ann was skeptical. "Mrs. Ferguson, I don't understand what you mean."

Claudia's lips curved into a small smile. "I'll find a way for you to be with York openly, to get you and your son official recognition from the Ferguson family. In return, you will find a way to make York grant me a peaceful divorce."

Ann couldn't hide her excitement, but she put on a show of reluctance. "Mrs. Ferguson, you mustn't say such things in anger. I know York has neglected you because of us. From now on, I'll urge him to go home more often and spend less time at my place."

Claudia laughed. "Ann, I don't have the patience to dance around this. I genuinely want to divorce York. If you think being his mistress has a brighter future, then just forget I said anything."

Ann's eyes flickered with uncertainty. But whether this was real or a trap, she had to seize the opportunity.

After a moment of feigned deliberation, she nodded cautiously. "Deal."

Just then, York pushed open the door, having finished the discharge procedures. He found Ann helping Claudia put on her coat.