Trick Him Into Divorce, Then Flee With His Unknow Kid

Chapter 12: Chapter 12 I Don’t Want to Wait Any Longer

When Rose arrived at the Knight family estate, thick snow was falling as the New Year approached.

She crossed the snow-covered garden outside Margaret’s residence, the bitter wind cutting through her coat.

As soon as she entered, she saw Selena and Isabella sitting in the main hall.

Selena shot Rose a cold glance, still holding a grudge over the disrespect Rose had shown her the other day.

After all, Rose had repeatedly told them to "go die."

"Rose! Let’s see how you explain this! You petty, jealous little thing—deliberately slandering Ryan and the others. Now Margaret has seen that exposé too, and she’s made herself sick from all the anger you’ve caused!" Isabella said, her face full of contempt.

She immediately pinned all the blame on Rose.

Rose couldn’t help furrowing her brows.

She looked at Isabella, who seemed eager to shift responsibility.

"Instead of blaming the person who started all this, you’re coming after me, the victim. Aunt Isabella, do you have any common sense at all?"

Not to mention—

Since you knew perfectly well this needed to be kept from Margaret, yet failed to handle the exposé properly, who is the one truly fueling this scandal?

"How dare you speak to me like that?" Isabella slammed her hand on the table and jumped to her feet. "Talking back to your elders—aren’t you afraid you’ll end up in the Hell of Tongue-Pulling?"

"If you can’t stand the sight of me, feel free to die before I do."

Rose had long since run out of patience.

She had no interest in listening to Isabella’s nagging. Without changing her expression, she walked past her and headed toward Margaret’s room.

Isabella was so stunned by Rose’s response that she couldn’t react for several seconds.

The old Rose would never have dared speak to a Knight family elder like that.

Hadn’t she always been meek and obedient, allowing everyone to push her around?

Isabella’s anger boiled over. Unable to control herself, she pointed at Rose’s back and screamed, "Aren’t you afraid of divine retribution? You’re incompetent and immoral, and that Samantha is nothing but a shameless woman! You’re all trash!"

Rose was sick of hearing it.

She stopped and turned around.

But her gaze suddenly collided with that of a man standing in the doorway.

Ryan had arrived at some point.

With a black overcoat draped over his arm, he stood partially concealed in the dim light, his eyes cold and piercing.

Isabella noticed Ryan as well and instantly fell silent.

The fury she had been unleashing moments ago immediately turned into nervousness.

Not only had she hit Rose the night before, but today she had openly insulted both Rose and Samantha—and, unfortunately for her, Ryan had overheard everything.

Rose didn’t matter. Isabella knew Ryan didn’t care about her.

But Samantha...

Isabella couldn’t help studying Ryan’s expression.

Rose knew Ryan had heard every word.

She looked away, knocked on the door, and walked straight into Margaret’s bedroom.

Selena watched the entire scene unfold like an uninvolved spectator, calmly sipping her herbal tea while a meaningful gleam flashed in her eyes.

Ryan didn’t confront Isabella.

Striding into the room, he glanced at the estate’s butler.

"Has the doctor arrived?"

The elderly steward, Louis, hurriedly replied, "He’s been inside for quite some time. It shouldn’t be anything serious."

Ryan nodded.

He didn’t go in immediately. Instead, he sat quietly in the parlor and waited.

*****

After entering, Rose waited for the Knight family’s personal physician to finish his examination before stepping forward to review Margaret’s chart and recent medications.

The problem wasn’t serious.

At Margaret’s age, emotional distress could easily cause temporary spikes in blood pressure and aggravate existing health conditions.

Rose made a few notes regarding her medication schedule and planned to adjust her treatment plan later. A short course of supportive medication and rest should be enough to resolve the issue.

After the family doctor left, Margaret took Rose’s hand.

"Rose, you’ve suffered a lot."

Rose knew Margaret was referring to the exposé.

"I’m not upset."

Disgusted, perhaps.

But not upset.

Margaret sighed.

"Grandma never expected things to turn out this way. I understand how hurt you must be. This has also been difficult for the Knight family to accept. Grandma wants to compensate you—a house, a car, cash, whatever you want."

Rose was a woman carrying many secrets.

She didn’t want any further ties to the Knight family.

"No need. I’m really fine."

Margaret studied her for a moment before slowly changing the subject.

"You and Ryan have been married for seven years. You’ve known each other since you were young. Rose, you’ve never had a mother’s or father’s love. The Knight family is truly your home. Could Grandma ask you for one favor?"

At the mention of never having known parental love, Rose unconsciously rubbed her fingers together.

"What is it?"

"Could you tell Ryan that asking for a divorce was just a moment of anger?"

Rose instinctively frowned.

Margaret tightened her grip on Rose’s hand.

"I’m not saying you can’t get divorced. What I mean is, before either of you remarries, don’t let Samantha know about your divorce from Ryan."

"I’ll arrange a suitable marriage for you as soon as possible. The man’s family background and character will be excellent, and you’ll live comfortably after you’re married."

"But the Knight family is such a prominent family. Ethan will eventually be released. If conflict develops between the brothers, it will throw the entire household into turmoil. Once he’s reformed and released early, Samantha might even rekindle her relationship with Ethan before you’ve officially divorced Ryan."

Rose hadn’t expected Margaret to take this position.

She understood her concerns.

But—

"Grandmother, I don’t want to wait any longer."

She didn’t want to remain trapped in her painful marriage to Ryan.

Besides, Ariel’s existence remained a secret.

Getting divorced as quickly as possible was her highest priority.

Naturally, she couldn’t agree to Margaret’s repeated requests to "wait a little longer."

Margaret saw the determination in Rose’s eyes and sighed softly.

"Have you and Ryan discussed this thoroughly? Do you both agree to the divorce?"

Rose thought about the divorce agreement Ryan had already received.

Logically, he should have read it.

Since he hadn’t brought it up again afterward, she assumed he accepted all the terms.

He had tacitly agreed.

She nodded.

"He agrees."

"Then, Rose, keep this from Samantha for now. Neither your mother-in-law nor the second and third branches of the family will know about your divorce from Ryan. Only the three of us will know. As for Ryan, I’ve threatened him with my life. He’s forbidden from telling Samantha about the divorce for the next year."

Margaret couldn’t stand Samantha’s fickleness, but she also knew the matter had to be handled indirectly.

Being too forceful could easily backfire.

After considering it, Rose agreed.

As long as it didn’t interfere with her divorce, she didn’t care.

All she had to do was wait for the three-month period to expire and collect her divorce decree.

Everything else was the Knight family’s problem.

The moment she stepped out of Margaret’s room, she nearly ran into Ryan, who was about to enter.

Ryan lowered his gaze to her.

"How’s Grandmother?"

"You’ll know once you go inside."

At her reply, Ryan’s eyebrows twitched slightly as he studied her impassive expression.

Rose suddenly became aware of how close they were standing.

The crisp scent of rose and mint lingered around him—a fragrance she had once been utterly captivated by.

Now, however, there seemed to be a faint trace of feminine sweetness mixed with it.

In the past, after sharing a bed with her—or even after a brief moment of intimacy—Ryan would immediately wash away every trace of her scent and change into fresh clothes.

She had assumed he was simply obsessed with cleanliness.

Now it seemed he just didn’t maintain those boundaries with Samantha.

A wave of nausea rose in her stomach.

Without a word, she stepped around him and left.

Ryan narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched her retreating figure.

Saying nothing, he pushed open the door and entered the room.

Margaret saw him and beckoned.

"Come here. I need a word with you."

Seeing that she looked perfectly fine, Ryan raised an eyebrow and sat down.

"I hear you’re getting a divorce from Rose."

Ryan picked up an orange and began peeling it.

"No."

His tone was flat.

Rose had mentioned divorce before.

That day, he hadn’t bothered indulging her emotions and simply told her to prepare the paperwork herself.

But he had never received anything.

Nor had Rose taken any further action.

As always, she continued treating him with care and consideration, acting as though nothing had happened.

So no, it didn’t count as a divorce.

Margaret’s words caught in her throat, and a flash of surprise crossed her eyes.

She studied Ryan’s expression for a moment.

He didn’t appear to be lying.

"...You two aren’t getting divorced?"