In “A Divorce 740,” the story begins with Xavier Beltran reflecting on his complicated feelings for Aveline, whom he sent back to the city out of a mix of longing and desperation. He realizes that the physical distance between them has created emotional barriers, and he is determined to reconnect with her. This longing is overshadowed by the fear of losing her completely, which gnaws at him as he contemplates their relationship.

Meanwhile, Aveline finds herself in a troubling situation when her phone rings, waking her from a peaceful sleep. The call from her nephew Mason quickly escalates into a confrontation with Leona, who accuses Aveline of neglecting her father, who is in deep financial trouble. Leona’s desperation leads her to manipulate the situation by using Mason as a pawn to reach Aveline, which infuriates Aveline. Their exchange turns heated, with Aveline defending herself against Leona’s accusations and asserting her independence.

As the tension mounts, Aveline’s defiance shines through, especially when she dismisses Leona’s threats and ends the call. Unbeknownst to her, Leona is recording their conversation, intending to use it against Aveline. Leona’s determination to expose Aveline’s perceived flaws sets the stage for a confrontation at the Beltran mansion, where she plans to reveal the recording during dinner, knowing that Mason’s presence will provide her cover.

The dinner scene becomes a battleground for family loyalties, with Leona unveiling the recording to Xavier and the family. Xavier’s reaction is one of staunch defense for Aveline, insisting on her kindness despite Leona’s accusations. This only serves to heighten the tension between the siblings, as Leona’s attempts to undermine Aveline backfire. The situation escalates, revealing the deep divisions within the family and the complexities of their relationships, particularly as they navigate issues of loyalty, manipulation, and the implications of Aveline’s marriage to Xavier.

**TITLE: A Divorce 740**

“Alright, Mr. Beltran, I’ll reach out to the construction lead,” Xavier stated, his voice steady as he ended the call.

As he placed the phone down, a wave of contemplation washed over him. He leaned back in his chair, letting his long fingers rhythmically tap against the polished surface of his desk. The office was quiet, save for the faint hum of the air conditioning, and in that stillness, his thoughts turned inward.

Sending Aveline back to the city had been a calculated move on his part, one driven by a blend of longing and desperation. The truth was, he missed her more than he cared to admit. Living in separate places created an insurmountable distance between them, and he knew that if he wanted any chance of rekindling their relationship, he needed to see her more frequently. The thought of losing her completely gnawed at him, a constant reminder of the stakes involved.

By noon, Aveline was nestled comfortably in her room, her eyelids fluttering as she drifted into a peaceful slumber. The tranquility was abruptly shattered by the shrill ring of her phone. Groggily, she reached for it, her heart racing as she saw Mason’s name flash across the screen.

“Hello, Mason?” she answered, her voice still thick with sleep.

“Auntie, my mom is making me call you…” Mason’s voice came through, sounding a mix of hesitant and obedient.

Aveline’s brow furrowed slightly at the unexpected call, but before she could respond, Leona’s voice cut in sharply, “What nonsense are you talking about? Give me the phone.”

Aveline’s heart sank as she recognized the tone. “Leona, what is this about?” she inquired, trying to keep her voice steady.

“Are you trying to get your father killed?” Leona’s words dripped with accusation. “Do you know he borrowed 10 million dollars from loan sharks? If you won’t help him, then make Xavier do it.”

Aveline felt a surge of indignation. “What are you talking about? You think I can just wave a magic wand and fix everything?”

“Don’t you realize you’re driving him to his death?” Leona snapped, her tone laced with desperation.

Aveline hadn’t anticipated Leona would use Mason as a pawn to reach her. The absurdity of the situation struck her, and she couldn’t help but chuckle. “Leona, you’re a crazy woman.”

The word “crazy” had become a thorn in Leona’s side lately. It seemed everyone was using it against her—Xavier, Marcus, and now Aveline, the very person she loathed.

“Who’s crazy? You’re the insane one here! You lied to trick my brother into marrying you. You became Mrs. Beltran, yet you’d let your own family suffer without lifting a finger to help.”

Aveline shot back, “If you think I’m lying, then go find Josephine. Let her save Jacob.”

“That’s only because you stopped Xavier from helping Jacob!” Leona retorted, her voice rising.

Aveline laughed again, a sound tinged with disbelief. “Is that so? Xavier is so peculiar, listening to a liar like me. I tell him to go east, he goes east. I tell him to go west, he goes west. What a flattering situation I find myself in!”

“Tell me, is there something wrong with him?” Leona’s voice was heavy with concern.

“Aveline, do you even realize what you’re saying?” Leona pressed, her tone shifting to one of genuine alarm.

“Do you really think I won’t tell Xavier what you just said?” Aveline countered, her resolve hardening.

“Mmm, go ahead and tell him. If he gets angry and divorces me, I couldn’t ask for anything better,” Aveline replied, a hint of defiance in her voice.

“Leona, don’t use children in your games. That’s low,” she added, feeling a surge of anger.

With that, Aveline ended the call, her heart racing. Little did she know, as she hung up, Leona was simultaneously stopping the recording she had made of the entire conversation.

Leona smirked to herself, a glint of satisfaction in her eyes. “Good, Aveline. You said it yourself. Fine. I’ll take this recording to the Patriarch, and we’ll see how he defends you then.”

Determined, Leona decided to visit the Beltran mansion during dinner, knowing that the presence of Mason would provide her the perfect cover. Rupert and Lauren were taken aback by her sudden appearance, but seeing Mason at her side, they assumed she was merely there for a free meal. After all, she hadn’t said anything overtly unpleasant.

However, the atmosphere shifted after dinner when Leona sent Mason off to the study to tackle his homework. With a sly smile, she pulled out the recording, ready to unveil her weapon.

Once the recording finished playing, Xavier’s expression was cold, his gaze fixed on Leona. “What do you mean by this?”

Leona replied with feigned innocence, “To let you all know what kind of person Aveline is.”

“She’s my wife, and she’s a kind and decent person,” Xavier shot back, his voice firm.

Leona’s disbelief was palpable as she stared at him, incredulous. “You heard this recording, and you still think she’s kind and decent?”

“Absolutely. And based on this recording, you’re the one who’s irrational and unhinged,” he countered, his patience wearing thin.

Fury coursed through Leona, and she shot to her feet. “You…”

Xavier’s icy glare silenced her, and sensing the tension escalating between the siblings, Lauren intervened. “Alright, alright, Leona, sit down first.”

With a huff, Leona complied, crossing her arms defiantly. “Grandpa, Mom, what do you think after hearing this recording?”

Rupert’s face darkened slightly, the weight of the situation evident in his silence.

Lauren turned to Xavier, concern etching her features. “Leona, didn’t I tell you to stay out of the Sutton family’s affairs? Why did you have to make that call to Aveline?”

“But it wasn’t very nice of Aveline to say those things,” Leona protested, her tone defensive.

Leona laughed mockingly, “Just ‘not very nice’?”

Lauren shot her a warning look before addressing Xavier. “Hasn’t your relationship with Aveline improved? Why is she still talking about divorce?”

Xavier’s voice was flat as he replied, “She called to provoke Aveline. Did you expect her to respond kindly?”

“How was I provoking her? She married into our Beltran family, so I’m her older sister, right? As her older sister, I simply pointed out that she was being too cold to her own father. What’s wrong with that?” Leona’s voice dripped with indignation, but it only served to deepen the rift between them.

As the dust settled from the tumultuous exchange, both Aveline and Xavier found themselves at a crossroads, each grappling with the weight of their choices and the emotional scars inflicted by family dynamics. Aveline’s laughter, once a shield against Leona’s venomous accusations, now felt hollow in the aftermath of the confrontation. The realization that her ties to Xavier’s family were fraught with manipulation and deceit left her feeling isolated, yet her resolve to stand firm against Leona’s machinations only strengthened her determination. She recognized that the path to healing would not be easy, but the flicker of hope remained alive; perhaps, in confronting the chaos, she could carve out a space where love could flourish once more.

For Xavier, the confrontation with Leona was a moment of clarity. His unwavering defense of Aveline, despite the recording’s implications, revealed the depth of his feelings and the lengths he was willing to go to protect their bond. It was a testament to the love that still flickered between them, even in the face of familial discord. As he sat in the silence following the storm, he understood that the journey ahead would require vulnerability and courage, but he was ready to fight for Aveline. The emotional arc of their relationship, once teetering on the brink of dissolution, now felt like a fragile yet resilient thread, binding them together in the face of adversity. With renewed determination, both Aveline and Xavier prepared to navigate the complexities of their love, knowing that true connection often emerges from the ashes of conflict.

In the next chapter, readers can expect the tension between Aveline and Leona to escalate dramatically, as the fallout from the recorded conversation reverberates through the Beltran family. With Xavier caught in the crossfire, his loyalties will be tested like never before. Will he stand by Aveline, or will the damning evidence Leona has presented sway him to reconsider their relationship? The stakes are high, and the emotional turmoil is palpable as Aveline grapples with the implications of Leona’s manipulations.

As the dinner unfolds, secrets will be unearthed, and alliances will shift, leaving everyone questioning their motives and desires. The simmering conflict between the sisters will reach a boiling point, forcing Aveline to confront not only Leona’s accusations but also her own feelings towards Xavier and the life they built together. With the threat of divorce looming larger than ever, will Aveline find the strength to fight for her marriage, or will the pressure from Leona and the family’s expectations prove too much to bear? Prepare for a chapter filled with unexpected revelations, intense confrontations, and the heart-wrenching decisions that could change everything for Aveline and Xavier.

Sara Lili

Sara Liliis a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.