My CEO HUSBAND sign the divorce novel Chapter 326

Chapter 326: The box

He must have sensed my presence because the moment he turned and saw me, he immediately dropped the cigarette onto the ground.

"What are you doing here, Alicia?" he asked.

I folded my arms and gave him a pointed look.

"I was about to ask you the same thing."

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

"I just needed some air."

My eyes dropped to the half-smoked cigarette lying on the ground.

There were barely any ashes.

He had probably only lit it a few moments before I arrived.

Without saying a word, I stepped forward and quietly crushed what remained of it beneath my shoe.

Alexander watched my actions before letting out a resigned sigh.

"I’m sorry," he said softly as he walked closer.

"I know..."

"I’ve been trying to quit."

"But some habits are easier to start than they are to stop."

"Trying?" I repeated, though my voice came out much gentler than I’d intended.

I couldn’t even bring myself to scold him.

After all...

Alexander hadn’t always smoked.

It was during those two years apart...

When everything between us had fallen apart...

That he’d picked up the habit.

He lowered his head slightly.

"I’m sorry."

"I’ll do better."

"I promise."

I sighed before resting my forehead lightly against his chest.

"I’m not angry."

"I’m just worried about you."

His arms slowly wrapped around my waist.

"I know."

"And I’ll keep trying."

"For you."

"And for Aimy."

After a quiet moment, I finally pulled away.

"It’s getting late."

"Should we head back?"

I nodded.

He naturally reached for my hand, intertwining our fingers before we walked back toward the mansion together..

By the time Uncle Steve walked us outside, another car had just pulled into the driveway.

Bella jumped out almost immediately.

"Aunt Alicia!"

She came running toward me.

I crouched down with a smile.

"Hey, sweetheart."

"We went to the park!"

"And Grandma bought me ice cream!"

She grinned proudly.

I chuckled at how she still insist on calling her adoptive mother Grandma.

"Really?"

"Did you enjoy yourself?"

She nodded so enthusiastically that I couldn’t help laughing.

Alexander gently set Aimy down beside her.

Then, with a dramatic sigh, he looked at Bella.

"So..."

"Do you really like Aunt Alicia more than me now?"

Bella frowned thoughtfully.

Then nodded without hesitation.

"Yes."

For a second...

None of us could hold back our laughter.

Bella suddenly looked toward Aimy.

"...Are you leaving?"

I nodded gently.

Her little face immediately fell.

"Don’t worry."

"We’ll bring Aimy again soon."

"So the two of you can play together."

Both girls pouted.

Then Bella quietly stepped forward and wrapped her little arms around Aimy.

Aimy hugged her back just as naturally.

The sight melted everyone’s heart.

Even Uncle Steve smiled.

"Alexander," he said.

"Angela and I will be returning soon."

"Alright, Uncle."

"Thank you for today."

I walked over and hugged Uncle Steve.

"My regards to Grace and Aunt Rose."

"I will."

He gently patted my back.

"You take good care of yourself and Aimy."

"And call me if you ever need anything."

"I will."

"Thank you, Uncle."

After saying goodbye to Bella, I carried Aimy into the car while Alexander stayed behind.

As I settled into my seat, I noticed Aunt Angela walking quickly toward him.

"Alexander."

Her voice stopped him.

He turned around.

She stood there, her eyes filled with regret.

"Now that you know I had nothing to do with Aimy’s poisoning..."

"Can’t you forgive me?"

Alexander was silent for a moment.

Then his eyes briefly shifted toward our car before returning to her.

"I’ve already given you more chances than I can count, Aunt."

"Every single time..."

"You chose the wrong path."

His voice remained calm.

But firm.

"I don’t hate you."

"I figured no one would think to look here."

"I see..."

I smiled.

"Then let me help."

Without waiting for his response, I moved to another cabinet and began checking the drawers one by one.

A few minutes later, Alexander suddenly spoke.

"Found it."

I looked up to see him holding a black file with a satisfied smile.

"You found it already?"

"Mm."

He closed the drawer before looking at the mess we’d created.

"Can you help me put everything back?"

"Of course."

I began arranging his neatly folded ties, watches, and personal belongings back into their places while he organized another section.

As I slid open the final drawer, something tucked quietly into the corner caught my eye.

A small wooden box.

It looked...

Familiar.

I frowned slightly.

"Alexander..."

"Where did you get this?"

He looked over before following my gaze.

For a long moment, he simply watched me.

"You recognize it?"

"Not exactly."

"It just feels familiar."

I was about to close the drawer when he walked over.

"No."

He gently stopped me.

Then he picked up the box and placed it on the cabinet between us.

"You should open it."

I blinked.

"Why?"

A faint smile tugged at his lips.

"Because it’s yours."

"My... what?"

He simply nodded.

Curiosity finally won.

I slowly lifted the lid.

Right on top lay a neatly folded sheet of paper.

The moment I unfolded it...

My eyes widened.

"My high school report card..."

I whispered.

Back then, I’d worked harder than ever just to match Alexander’s grades.

When I’d finally managed it...

I’d wanted to show him.

But I never found the courage.

Instead...

I’d carefully folded it and hidden it inside this little box.