Chapter 27 Caitlin caught every flicker of emotion in Bonnie's eyes . She gave the briefest nod in response . Caitlin was simple , really . Treat her kindly , and she'd return the favor . That much was obvious . Bonnie had made her hostility clear - so Caitlin had no intention of lowering her guard . Biana turned to Bonnie . " Bonnie , go bring out some of those treats we brought back from Amberhold last month . Let your grandpa and Catle have a taste ." " Sure , Mom , " Bonnie replied , and headed toward her room . Emest handed Caitlin a cup of freshly brewed tea , making small talk before sliding in , ever so c husband along today ? Come to think of it ever since you two got married , he's never visited us . casually , " Catle , why didn't you bring your Iliana's face lit up with anticipation . " Exactly , Catie ! Next time , bring him over , We'd love to have him as a guest . " Julian was the rising star of Silverhaven's finance world . Julian Their family , as it stood , would've never brushed shoulders with someone of his stature . !! But that had changed . Now that Julian was Caitlin's husband , their own standing had risen right along with hers . Caitlin lowered her eyes . & So that's what this sudden warmth toward Fortune was about ! The reason was clear . Fortune looked like she was about to say something , but Caitlin met her gaze and spoke up , calm and straightforward . " Uncle , Aunt Iliana , Julian and I are divorced . " Divorced.E The word seemed to freeze the air in the room . A long , stunned silence followed before Iliana finally found her voice . " C - Catle , you're joking , right ? Why would you suddenly get a divorce ? I Emest stared at her " Catie , you must be kidding . " Tm not " Caitlin replied , her tone as flat as if she were discussing what to have for breakfast . The papers are signed . It's done . ' Iliana swallowed hard and turned to Fortune , searching her face . Fortune nodded , confirming every word Caitlin had said . Bonnie returned with a bag of snacks just in time to catch the news . Her expression , so often twisted with resentment , now bloomed into a rare smile . Divorced . Perfect !! She'd always known that a man like Julian - handsome , wealthy , born to privilege - would never settle for someone plain and awkward as Caitlin If it weren't for the setting , Bonnie would have burst out laughing In that moment , Ihana and Emests faces soured as if someone had splattered them with paint !! Who could have guessed Caitlin would actually get divorced ? Was she out of her mind ? The Chandler family was old money - an echelon they'd never even dream of reaching Iliana had planned to cozy up to Caitlin , hoping the might someday introduce Bonnie to a rich heir After all , Bonnie was beautiful in her own night If Caitlin could marry into wealth , why not Bonnie ? But Caillin had ruined everything || She had the audacity to divorce s Now who would introduce Bonnie to someone rich and powerful ? How was Bonnie supposed to many into high society ? Iliana's dreams for her daughter shattered , and the more she thought about it , the angrier she became . She rounded on Caitlin , voice . Trembling with fury . " How could you go through with something as big as a divorce without consulting us ? " Without waiting for an answer , Iliana stood and grabbed Caitlin's hand . " Come on ! We're going straight to the Chandlers . You'll apologize and ask your husband for forgiveness ! " " My marriage is my own business . Why would I need to consult you ? " Caitlin shook off liana's hand . The gesture seemed gentle , but liana stumbled , nearly losing her balance Fortune leapt up , positioning herself between Caitlin and Iliana. " Iliana ! You've gone too far ! " Iliana pressed her fingers to her temple , seething Of all times , Fortune Kensington had to make things worse !! The tension in the room was straining to the breaking point Emest finally stepped in . " liana , Dad - let's all calm down . " He turned to Caitlin , softening his tone . " Catle , you to too . Try to see it from your aunt's perspective - divorce isn't a small thing . You should have said something to the family . And don't you realize ? It's not easy for a young woman to shake the reputation of a divorcee . Tell me why did you leave your husband ? " } * Julian was seeing another woman , Caitlin answered simply That was all it took ? Emest's temper flared , but he forced himself to sound reasonable " Catiel This is the real world . Even ordinary men have affairs - how much more so someone like your husband ? A man of means keeps a mistress or two - it's to be expected ! There's not a man alive who doesn't stray now and then . Do you realize how lucky you were to marry into a family like the Chandlers ? You're being ungrateful - throwing it all away for something so trivial ? " ?! To Emest , Caitlin was blowing things out of proportion . She was ruining his daughter's future . If he could , Emest would drag Caitlin to Julian that very instant to beg for forgiveness . & A mistress ? Was that really worth all this drama ? " Emest , do you even hear yourself ? " Fortune snapped , her eyes blazing . " Have you lost your sense of night and wrong ? Julian broke his wows - of course Catie should divorce him ! Our Kensington family may be small compared to the Chandlers , but at least we have integrity . We don't stoop to that kind of filth . " She turned on Iliana . " And you ! Put yourself in Cartlin's shoes for once . If Ernest had cheated on you , would you be so calm ? It's easy to ignore pain until it's your own . "