Chapter 14 +25 BONUS " You don't know ? " Betty immediately caught on , her voice sharp with irritation . " I booked a two - day retreat at Quillan's Peak for you and Jayson ! When I asked him yesterday , he said he'd already given you the tickets . " Ariel was stunned . Jayson hadn't mentioned a word to her . Clearly , he had no intention of going on a trip with her and had simply told Betty what she wanted to hear . " Grandma , I had something come up , so- " " It's the weekend ! What could be so urgent ? Don't cover for that brat . Listen to me . Head over there now . I've already made all the arrangements . I'll give him a push . " Ariel tried to stop her . " Grandma , actually , Jayson and I- " " What about you two ? " Betty's tone softened again . It was obvious that she had no idea that Ariel and Jayson were about to get divorced . Jayson hadn't informed his family yet ? Otherwise , why would Betty still be planning a couple's getaway for them ? Ariel felt a headache coming on . Betty had unstable blood pressure and a heart condition . Was Jayson waiting for the right moment to ease her into the truth ? If that was the case , then spilling everything now might send Betty into a health crisis . Ariel didn't want to be responsible for that . The divorce papers were already signed anyway . All that was left was making it official . There would be time for Betty to accept it . After a moment of careful thought , Ariel said , " It's nothing , Grandma . I'll go now . He already told me about it . " As long as Betty was reassured , that was enough . She had no intention of actually going . But Betty wasn't giving her a choice . " I'll arrange for a car to take you . The driver knows the way . Young couples need fresh experiences ! Use this trip to rekindle your bond . Maybe by the end of the year , I'll have a chubby great - grandchild to hold ! " Her voice was filled with hopeful anticipation . Betty didn't even give Ariel a chance to refuse . She hung up and immediately started making arrangements . Ariel rubbed her forehead , feeling a headache coming on . She knew exactly what Betty was thinking . Three years of marriage , and anyone could see that Ariel's relationship with Jayson had been lukewarm at best . Especially since , in all that time , there had been no children . For traditional elders , that was hard to accept . This was why , for the past three years , Ariel had used the excuse of carrying on the Larkin family line to sleep with Jayson during her ovulation period every month . The rest of the time , he had no interest in touching her . Jayson was in excellent health . During that one week each month , their routine was set - three times a night . Every time , he lasted until late into the night . 1/3 Chapter 14 +25 BONUS She could barely keep up with that intensity . And yet , she had never conceived . At first , she had thought it was due to an old injury to her uterus that made pregnancy difficult . She had believed that , with treatment , things would eventually work out . But now , after her endometrial cancer diagnosis , any hope she had was completely crushed . Betty worked quickly . The driver contacted Ariel before long . She gave him a pickup location near a convenience store , carefully avoiding revealing the fact that she and Jayson were already living apart . She had no idea what Jayson's plans were regarding their divorce , so she decided to play it safe for now . On the ride there , Ariel didn't bother informing Jayson . She figured if he hadn't told her about the trip , it meant he had no intention of spending it with her . He probably wasn't even going . So , she might as well go alone for a couple of days to appease Betty . Plus , it'd be a good chance to unwind . Quillan's Peak had a high - altitude resort with cozy lodgings , a ski area , and breathtaking views of the sunrise over the mountains . After checking in , Ariel pushed her suitcase toward her room , only to freeze at the sight ahead . Jayson and Nancy had just returned from outside , walking side by side, chatting about something . Nancy's eyes crinkled in laughter . Ariel's eyes flickered . This scene hit her like a slap in the face . Jayson's gaze darkened slightly when he saw her , but his face remained emotionless . Nancy , on the other hand , smiled , as if she found the whole situation amusing . Ariel felt a wave of humiliation rise in her chest . What were they thinking of her right now ? " Jayson , where's the room key ? " Nancy didn't greet Ariel , nor did she feel the need to . Jayson handed Nancy the key . She walked straight into the adjacent room , leaving the door open - clearly an invitation for him to follow . They were sharing a room ? Jayson turned to Ariel " Grandma told you ? " Ariel's voice was steady . " Yes . " " Maybe you should switch rooms . " His gaze was cold like ice . It was phrased like a suggestion , but the tone was undeniably assertive . Ariel understood immediately . He and Nancy were staying right next door . If they wanted to do anything intimate , the idea of her - the still - official wife- being just a wall away must disgust him . 2/3 Chapter 14 Ariel came here all the way , but she was the one being inconsiderate . +25 BONUS 3/3 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!