Divorce Failed My Wife's Secret Identities Shock the World novel Chapter 25

Another girl leaned in, curiosity bright on her face. "After your parents got divorced... did you cut ties with the Morales family? Like, no contact at all?"

Millie cleared her throat. "What kind of question is that? Everyone at school's already talking. She was fighting over inheritance money and even managed to land herself in detention."

Mateo's expression darkened. "We finally get everyone together for dinner and you decide to talk like that? What's the point?"

Mateo taking Maeve's side earned a quick, assessing glance from Andres.

Call it instinct—something in the way the Fulton kid kept jumping in told Andres he was interested in Maeve.

Millie hadn't expected Mateo to shut her down in front of everyone. The humiliation only sharpened her jealousy.

"We're not 'talking like that.' We're just having a normal conversation. What, exactly, did I say that was wrong?"

"She isn't the Morales family's throwaway they dumped out in the sticks? And she didn't get locked up for causing trouble?"

Mateo was about to fire back when Maeve smiled at Millie instead.

"Wow. You're really going all-in on me." Maeve's tone stayed light as she kept peeling shrimp. "Is it because your 'official ship' didn't give you enough face in front of everyone?"

Millie's cheeks flushed. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Maeve didn't even look up. "Sure. No idea. Totally."

She flicked the shell aside and continued calmly. "You think where I grew up is 'backward.' I think it's simple. Honest."

"People there don't do the whole 'where are you from' snobbery. They don't obsess over other people's family drama, either."

"The world is bigger than your little circle. Try widening your perspective." Maeve finally glanced up, her eyes cool. "Here's a line worth remembering: narrow minds only turn you into a joke."

Elena clapped. "Yes. That was perfect."

Mateo looked at Maeve with open admiration.

Maeve was enjoying herself a little too much—her fingertip caught on a crawfish spine.

Her hands stilled. A bead of blood welled up and slid down her finger.

Andres, smooth as if it were the most natural thing in the world, pulled a napkin and wiped the red away.

The table went weirdly, instantly quiet. Everyone's expressions turned... complicated.

Maeve stopped, letting her hand fall. "What do you want me to say?"

"Talk about you."

Then he added, eyes on her. "Finding out you go to Aethelburg University—does that conflict with what you dug up?"

Maeve putting it that bluntly made it hard for Andres to keep pretending.

"Yes," he admitted. "Up until today, you were filed in my head as a truant, a brawler, and a problem kid who hates school."

That was what Hans had found. Andres had never questioned it.

Maeve laughed softly. "Skipping class and fighting used to be my daily routine. Even after I got into Aethelburg University last year, I barely showed up. So honestly? Your intel isn't that far off."

As she turned to leave, Maeve tossed over her shoulder, "The city hall network should be back up by now. Pick a time. We'll go again."

Andres didn't expect her to bring it up herself. "To get divorced?"

Maeve looked back, eyes bright. "To get married."