Divorce With Benefits: A Second Chance At Love
Chapter 159: To Try Again

Chapter 159: To Try Again

Harold leaned forward slightly, intrigued. But before she could continue, her eyes flicked toward the approaching waiter.

Rather than waiting, she dropped the bomb.

"How come you never investigated who I am?" she asked suddenly.

Harold tilted his head, clearly caught off guard. "Pardon?" He let out a small laugh, confused. "What kind of question is that?"

Catherine took a deep breath. She had wanted to tell him this before he heard it elsewhere.

"You’ll hear it in the news soon," she said, her voice measured. "But I wanted you to know firsthand."

Harold’s brows furrowed slightly.

"I am Catherine Glover," she continued, watching his face carefully. "Daughter of Ragland Glover and—" She exhaled. "I’ve been named the next heir of the Glover family."

Silence.

Harold’s eyes widened, his fingers tightening around the cup. His mouth parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something—but nothing came out.

Just then, the waiter arrived with their order, setting down their drinks and pastries.

Harold remained frozen.

And the silence stretched.

Harold’s mind reeled.

He thought back to their past interactions—the countless times Catherine had approached him, fearlessly demanding that he marry her instead of Chelsea Glover.

And all that time... she had been Catherine Glover—not just a clingy admirer, but the heir to the Glover fortune.

His lips curled into an ironic smile.

His family would kill him if they knew he had turned her down.

But then, the smile vanished.

Because now, with this truth out in the open, he had no chance with her anymore.

He had lost someone who had loved him despite his flaws.

And it was entirely his loss.

"Congratulations," he said softly, offering her a genuine smile. "And good luck with your future, Catherine."

Her fingers tightened slightly around her cup.

She didn’t like that smile.

"Are you my father?" she asked bluntly.

Harold blinked. "What?"

"You’re smiling like a father sending his daughter off to university," she said, her expression darkening. "I despise that smile."

Harold chuckled, amused by her sudden outburst.

"So," he changed the subject, "how did your grandfather decide to skip over everyone else and leave it all to you?"

Catherine shrugged, taking a slow sip of her cappuccino. "I helped him from time to time. I’ve always been interested in business—I just couldn’t stay away."

Harold smirked. "And yet, you had all that time to stalk me?"

Catherine immediately turned her face away, her cheeks dusting pink as she sipped her drink. She crossed her legs and swung her foot slightly—an absentminded gesture that made her look... cute.

Harold’s gaze softened.

"There’s something..." He motioned toward her lips.

Catherine cleared her throat and quickly grabbed a napkin, dabbing at her mouth with a small frown.

Harold watched her, unsure what to say. Unsure how to end this.

Or if he wanted to end it at all.

Then, she spoke.

"I’m still not over you," she said.

Harold nearly choked on his tea. He coughed, quickly clearing his throat.

Catherine’s face was already turning red, but she pressed on.

"I have an offer for you," she said. "My company is going to go through a crisis soon. I want you with me—I mean, in my company—as a spokesperson."

She held his gaze, unwavering.

"You want me to work for you?" Harold asked, raising an eyebrow.

"With me," Catherine corrected. "And I’m not hiring you for any other reason than your experience and talent as a spokesperson."

Harold leaned back, watching her carefully. "Have you seriously thought about this?"

Catherine met his gaze without hesitation.

"I begged you before—something a noble lady would never do. I am serious."

Harold exhaled, rubbing his arms.

"You probably know everything about me by now, don’t you?" he murmured.

Catherine nodded.

Harold ran a hand through his hair. "I doubt I’ll ever get back with my family, though I’m sure they’ll suddenly cling to me now that they know your intentions."

"I can handle them," Catherine said simply.

Harold studied her for a long moment.

He had long let go of Jerica.

Lila... had broken his heart, but in the end, their paths had never truly aligned.

But Catherine?

Catherine wanted him.

And more than that—she needed him.

"I need you by my side," she whispered, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

Harold let out a deep breath.

"This is... not how I planned my future to be," he admitted. "To have a girl beg..." He exhaled sharply, shaking his head.

Then, he looked at her.

"Let’s do this," he said finally. "I’ll work with you. And I will date you—with marriage in mind. We can discuss the nuances as we grow together."

Catherine’s smile wobbled, her nose reddening as she fought her emotions.

"Thank you," she whispered.

Harold reached across the table, gently taking her hand in his.

"I should be the one thanking you," he murmured. "For still trusting me. For giving me a chance."

He had always laughed at the phrase, ’It’s better to marry the one who loves you than the one you love.’

But now?

As he looked at Catherine’s radiant, tearful smile—he knew.

He needed to make an effort.

To make this incredible woman who had loved him despite everything...

Happy.

-----

Months passed, and Jerica entered the third trimester of her pregnancy.

That day, Jared took her to the suburbs to see something special.

Rather than buying a finished house, Jared had built one from the ground up—crafted exactly as Jerica had envisioned.

The property stretched wide, bordered by lush woods on one side and a gentle creek running through it. In the winter, snow blanketed the land, making it feel like a scene from a postcard. Jared had carefully chosen this place—a perfect balance of serenity and nature. A place where they could relax and raise their family.

As they stood on the freshly built porch, Jared turned to her with a teasing grin.

"There’s plenty of land," he mused. "Maybe we should raise some chickens?"

Jerica shot him a look as if he had lost his mind.

Jared chuckled. Of course, his wife wouldn’t know how to raise chickens. She was still adjusting to the idea of country living.

But even so, she smiled.

Jerica had recently resigned from her job at the courthouse. Before leaving, she had painstakingly organized every file, ensuring everything was in its proper place. It had taken time, but she refused to leave her workplace in chaos.

Still, she didn’t think she’d miss it.

Work had filled a void in her life. She had thrown herself into it because she had no one to care for.

But now?

Now, she had a baby growing inside her.

And nothing mattered more than that.