The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 184

Things at home had already been chaotic enough lately, what with all the confessions and emotional outbursts. Now, with the online harassment blowing up, Jacob was at the end of his rope.

“Will you calm down? What’s the point of yelling about it now? It’s already happened!” Jacob snapped, unable to hold back any longer.

Mrs. Austin’s temper flared even higher. “Calm down? How am I supposed to calm down? I’m being slandered online and you’re blaming me for getting upset?”

Jacob raised his voice, frustration mounting. “And what, shouting at each other is going to fix anything?”

The two of them went back and forth, neither willing to back down.

“I can’t live like this anymore!” Mrs. Austin huffed, throwing her hands up before dropping heavily onto the couch, her face set in a frosty glare.

Jacob felt just as drained. “Then maybe we shouldn’t!” he shot back, slamming the door on his way out.

From that night on, arguments became a regular occurrence in their new home.

Mrs. Austin felt that Jacob didn’t understand her at all—didn’t defend her, only criticized her. Jacob, on the other hand, thought Mrs. Austin was being unreasonable, letting her emotions run wild instead of trying to deal with things.

Their relationship grew colder and more strained by the day. Eventually, they stopped speaking altogether; even under the same roof, they felt like strangers passing each other by.

In the end, Jacob simply started sleeping in a separate room.

Looking at the empty half of the bed, Mrs. Austin felt even more wronged and alone.

That night, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Just as her sadness reached its peak, her phone rang.

The sudden ring startled her from her thoughts. She glanced at the caller ID, surprised to see Garcia’s name.

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Up in the executive office, Rebecca knocked softly before stepping inside to deliver some paperwork.

She placed the neatly organized files on the desk and spoke quietly, “Sir, here are the documents you requested.”

Dylan gave a slight nod, his eyes scanning through the papers.

As Rebecca turned to leave, Dylan glanced at the clock. “Raina, get ready. You’re coming with me to a meeting in a bit.”

Rebecca hesitated, a hint of curiosity in her voice. “Who are we meeting, sir?”