?<strong>Chapter 192:</strong>


    Kristopher turned, his expression darkening. “What did you say?”


    “What are you doing?!” Carrie shouted.


    Her expression hardened, and she repeated with finality, “I said we’re passing the courthouse. Let’s go ahead and get the divorce done. There’s no sense in dragging this out.”


    Had it not been for her seatbelt, she would have pitched forward with the sudden stop.


    Kristopher’s lips pressed into a thin line, tension filling the car’s interior. The idea of proposing a divorce the day after they had finally consummated their marriage seemed iprehensible to him.


    Noticing his silence, Carrie cast a mocking nce at him. “What? Isn’t this exactly what we agreed upon? Are you backing out now, Mr. Norris? Or was yesterday your first time?”


    “Of course not.”


    She wasn’t surprised. Knowing the depth of his feelings for Lise, it was hard to believe he hadn’t crossed that bridge before. But now, none of it mattered—not anymore.


    “Then there’s nothing left to talk about,” she said coolly. “Let’s just get it over with. You’re busy, after all. No need to waste time.”


    The tension hung heavy in the car as Kristopher stared straight ahead, his expression unreadable. Finally, he bit out, “The courthouse is closed.”


    Carrie nced at her phone. “It’s only five. They’re still open.”


    “I don’t have the marriage certificate,” he countered, his tone colder than frost on a December morning.


    She arched a brow. “Do you even need the certificate to get a divorce?”


    Kristopher gave a short, humorlessugh. “In a rush, are we?” His eyes flicked toward her phone. “Look it up yourself.”


    Carrie checked the time again, undeterred. “Fine. We’ve got time. Let’s swing by the house to grab it—it’s just five minutes away. Or better yet, call the housekeeper to bring it over…”


    Before she could finish, Kristopher’s phone buzzed. He answered almost immediately, cutting off her words like an axe falling on a log.


    A soft, syrupy voice drifted through the receiver. “Kristopher…”


    Carrie stiffened, her eyes narrowing at the sound of Lise’s unmistakable lilt.


    Kristopher ignored her re, keeping his focus on the road. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”


    “No,” Lise replied with a yful lilt. “I found a restaurant with the most breathtaking view. Come have dinner with me.”


    Without hesitation, he answered, “I’ll be there soon.” He hung up and turned to Carrie, his face a mask of indifference. “I’ve got something to take care of. You can grab a cab. I don’t have time to chauffeur you.”


    For a moment, Carrie just stared at him, the silence stretching unbearably thin. Then, with a dryugh, she unbuckled her seatbelt and got out of the car. mming the door shut, she bent down and shot him a pointed remark through the window.


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