Chapter 68
“Yeah, I agree-filing for divorce in court is better. If the judge rules in your favor, you won’t have to wait out that one-month cooling-off period.” Joy nodded in
agreement.
Eleanor rubbed her temples. “It’s just that gathering evidence is tough. Ian’s always so careful, and I haven’t checked his phone in ages p>
“You have to look!” Joy insisted. “I guarantee there’s some flirty message history with Vanessa on there. Maybe even some big money transfers. All of that would be solid proof he’s cheating p>
Eleanor bit her lip. “We’ve barely spoken for three months now. It’s been a total stalemate p>
“So, you two don’t even look each other in the eye these days, huh?” Joy pressed.
Eleanor nodded. “Yeah p>
Joy sighed. “Ellie, you have to figure something out. You need those messages between him and Vanessa-nothing else is going to be as convincing p>
But to get her hands on lan’s phone, she’d have to thaw the ice between them first. If he suggested they sleep together, would she really have to go along with it?
“I’ll try,” Eleanor muttered, massaging her forehead.
That night, after a long heart-to-heart, the two women called it a night. The next morning, after a quiet breakfast, Eleanor headed home. Joslyn greeted her at the door. “Welcome back, Mrs. Blake p>
“Thanks p>
“Mr. Blake is home today,” Joslyn added as she helped Eleanor with her coat.
Eleanor just nodded. At that moment, a bark echoed from upstairs. Princess, their golden retriever, bounded down the stairs, tail wagging so hard her whole body wiggled.
Eleanor crouched down to rub the dog’s head. She used to be firmly against getting a dog for their daughter, but now she had to admit: there was nothing like the unconditional welcome of a little dog every day, no matter how your mood was. Princess had become her daily dose of comfort.
Eleanor grabbed her purse and headed upstairs to her room. Joy’s words echoed in her mind, making her anxious all over again. She pulled up a divorce forum online and reread the legal advice: text messages and bank transfers could serve as strong evidence in court. If the judge found proof of cheating, he could grant an immediate divorce.
She thought about the last three years-surely lan and Vanessa had exchanged plenty of suggestive texts, maybe even transferred money back and forth. On special dates, lan probably liked to send symbolic amounts-like $520 or $1314, numbers that spelled out “I love you” and “forever” in Chinese, but in the US, it’d just be seen as odd or maybe replaced with something sentimental or significant. With lan’s wealth, maybe the amounts were even more extravagant.
At noon, Joslyn cooked a spread-four dishes and a pot of soup. She called up the stairs for Eleanor to come down for lunch. As Eleanor stepped out of her room, Joslyn said, “Could you please let Mr. Blake know lunch is ready p>
Joslyn hurried downstairs, leaving Eleanor to head to lan’s study.
She paused outside the door. Inside, lan was stretched out on the sofa, reading a book, while Princess was curled up beside him, snoozing contentedly. One of lan’s hands absentmindedly scratched the dog’s ears, and Princess just squinted with bliss.
Eleanor felt a flicker of annoyance. She’d bought the dog-why did he get to enjoy her so much?
Fine. When the divorce went through, Princess would be coming with her. “Lunch is ready,” she called softly.
lan looked up, catching a hint of olive branch in her voice. The corner of his mouth twitched in a barely-there smile. He glanced down at the dog and said, “Come on, Princess. Time to eat p>
Princess leapt off the sofa and trotted after Eleanor, tail wagging. Eleanor was the first to sit at the dining table.
lan ladled himself a bowl of soup, sipping quietly. Eleanor picked at her food, eating slowly.
“Where were you last night?” lan asked, breaking the silence.
“I stayed at Joy’s place,” Eleanor replied.
“Your lawyer friend?” lan’s gaze sharpened as he studied her face.