Breaking Point of Divorce (Hugh and Bethan) novel Chapter 8

The way Hugh looked out for her always made Megan feel safe.

She pushed at his shoulder. “Hugh, never mind the shopping. Go find Bethan and talk to her. Right now.”

Hugh replied calmly, “Gwen’s with her—she’ll be fine. Let me get you back to the hospital first.”

He asked the store staff to box up the shoes Megan had tried on and led her out.

The Cavill family’s driver saw Hugh approaching. Wiping his brow, he said, “Mr. Cavill, Mrs. Cavill just left here in tears.”

“I know. Let’s go,” Hugh said, opening the car door for Megan.

Megan offered Hugh a bottle of water, but he didn’t take it. She glanced at him—he seemed calm on the surface, but his distant expression showed he was lost in thought.

She cleared her throat and called his name. Hugh snapped back to attention.

Looking guilty and conflicted, Megan pleaded, “Hugh, can you promise me something? Don’t tell anyone about me and my son.”

Hugh looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”

Megan’s eyes filled with tears. “Your grandfather threatened me years ago. He forced me to break up with you and marry someone abroad.

“I never forgot you. I was trapped in an abusive marriage, pressured to have a child, and I struggled with severe depression.

“There were times I didn’t want to go on. But I couldn’t leave my son.

“Then, a little over a year ago, my husband died of a drug overdose. We were finally free.

“I was alone over there, missing home, missing my parents—missing you. So I came back with my son.

“Hugh, I’m terrified your grandfather will find out I’m back. Please don’t tell your family.”

After Hugh nodded, Megan continued, “I don’t want to relive those memories, and I’m afraid people will judge me and my son. Until I’m stronger, please don’t tell anyone about our situation—not even your wife.”

Hugh gently embraced her. “Megan, don’t say things like that. I failed to protect you then. I won’t tell anyone, and I’ll take care of you and your son.”

Hearing his promise, Megan stopped crying and smiled. “Don’t worry, Hugh. I’ll get better soon.”

Hugh took Megan back to the hospital, made sure she had lunch, then returned to work.

Looking at over a dozen missed calls from Gwen and other family members, he hesitated before calling Gwen back.

“Has Bethan calmed down?” he asked.

Gwen sobbed on the other end. “Bethan’s missing! Mom and I are still looking for her!”

After hanging up, Hugh stood at the floor-to-ceiling window for a moment. He figured Bethan was probably just hiding somewhere, trying to make a point.

His assistant Jacob entered. “Mr. Cavill, is the 2:30 meeting still happening?”

“Enough, Gwen,” Hugh snapped.

After they left, Hugh lit another cigarette. At 3 AM, he called Jacob. “Take the next few days off from the office. Go to the hospital and watch for Bethan. Call me when you see her.”

He added, “Her mother just had heart surgery, so don’t cause any disturbance.”

Jacob looked at his phone in disbelief. 3 AM? His boss’s insomnia was getting worse.

Three days passed with no sign of Bethan. Fiona and Gwen wanted to call the police and notify the Olsen family, but Hugh refused. He was certain Bethan was fine and would return soon.

Ryan and Harvey agreed with Hugh—involving outsiders would embarrass the family. Besides, with the Olsens bankrupt, Bethan brought no value to the Cavills anyway.

Finally, the day came for Megan to be discharged from the hospital. Hugh sent Jacob to pick up Bethan’s mother while he went to handle Megan’s discharge.

At nine that morning, Jacob spotted Bethan at the hospital, looking perfectly fine as she came for her mother. He quickly called Hugh.

Hugh, busy packing Megan’s belongings, showed little reaction to the news. He gave Jacob the day off, knowing Bethan would come home on her own.

Hugh carried the luggage and escorted Megan to the elevator. Meanwhile, Bethan waited for another elevator with her parents.

When the doors opened, Bethan’s eyes met Hugh’s. He was holding Megan protectively, shielding her from the crowd—just as he’d once done for Bethan.