The CEO's Hidden Love: Midnight Temptations and Deep Desires novel Chapter 1174

Jeffrey wasn't clueless about his mistake; he just couldn't grasp why Karen always brought up divorce like it was her go-to solution. It made him feel like he didn't have a place in her heart.

How could two people, who had built a life together and even had kids, resort to talking about splitting up at every disagreement? And Karen wasn't just talking—the seriousness in her tone, her unwavering resolve, it all signaled she meant business.

"Jeffrey, with your parents here today, I'm going to cut straight to the chase," Karen said, her voice laced with a resolve that didn't bode well for Jeffrey. "You know as well as I do that I had reservations about marrying you from the get-go. Your playboy lifestyle and a parade of exes were just too much for any woman to put up with. But then, your sincerity won me over. You promised a change, swore off bars and ex-girlfriends, and I chose to believe you. I gave us a chance. But you let me down."

Before this confrontation, their fights seemed trivial, like venting to a best friend over a cup of coffee, expecting things to blow over naturally. But finding out Jeffrey had been to a bar was the last straw for Karen.

"I'm sorry..." was all Jeffrey could muster, knowing well it wasn't enough to prove his commitment.

"Karen, I get you," said Paloma, Jeffrey's mom, trying to mediate. "We'll keep an eye on him, send him reminders now and then to keep him in line."

Paloma was proud of Karen; she and Huxley had never been keen on their son marrying into a specific social class—just someone who could keep him grounded. Seeing their wayward son reined in by Karen was a relief.

"Mom, you don't need to. I'll remember," Jeffrey interjected. "From now on, I'll speed past any bar, not even giving it a second glance."

Karen, seeing Jeffrey's earnest plea, extended her hand, helping him up. "So, we're not talking divorce anymore?"

"What, you want one?" Jeffrey's response was rapid, his head shaking vigorously.

"No, no!" he exclaimed, leveraging Karen's assistance to stand and pulling her into a tight embrace before planting a kiss on her cheek, much to his parents' chagrin.

"Jeffrey, this isn't all on you. I've been snappy lately, especially with everything going on with Dorothy. My filter just disappeared," Karen sighed, hinting at her own faults in their marital strife.

Jeffrey held her close, finding her apology harder to accept than her anger. "You're not to blame. If you can forgive me, then it's all my fault."

Behind them, Huxley and Paloma exchanged looks before suggesting, "How about the little one stays with us tonight? We've been missing her, and you two could use the time to talk things through."

"Sounds good," Karen agreed, watching her in-laws leave with their child.

"Jeffrey, it's not like I wanted the marriage to end."

"Did you really think you could get rid of me that easily?" he teased, pulling her closer. "Karen, forget about me signing any divorce papers. If you push for legal action, I'll hire a hundred lawyers to make sure we stay married!"