Chapter 10
Thomas‘ eyes widened in shock upon hearing the news. He yelled, “What did you say? How could that be? Are you sure you’re not mistaken?”
Elijah replied in a trembling voice, “We’ve double–checked many times, Mr. Ford. You and Ms. Linsel were never legally married.”
All the strength drained from Thomas‘ body as the words sank in. The phone slipped from his hand and clattered to the floor. His mind went blank.
Shannon had clearly married into the Ford family, so how could they possibly not be legally married?
However, realization hit Thomas like a punch to the gut shortly after. He slammed his fist against the couch in frustration.
Back then, his mind was occupied with the thought of Laura. Shannon had repeatedly reminded him to get their marriage registered, but he brushed her off with the excuse of being busy with work.
Thomas eventually forgot about it altogether.
His eyes shut in pain, the weight of the consequences finally hitting him hard.
Thomas‘ mind raced–while instructing Elijah to look for Shannon, he was also trying to figure out her whereabouts.
He thought long and hard, yet he still came up with nothing.
All of a sudden, Thomas realized he didn’t know Shannon at all, even after five years of
marriage.
From her favorite food, her hobbies, to things about her parents, he knew nothing at all.
Thomas had lost his only way of contacting Shannon, just because her number had been cancelled. Yet, she knew almost everything about him. The thought sank deep into his chest, and guilt slowly filled him.
Suddenly, Thomas recalled that Shannon had a best friend working in a law firm. She was the only person Shannon had kept in touch with over the past five years.
The moment that thought crossed his mind, he reached for his phone to call Maya, only to realize it was already 2:00 am.
Placing his phone down, Thomas went into Shannon’s room to piece back their torn wedding photo. But no matter how hard he tried, the photo would never look the same–the cracks were permanent.
And so he stayed awake the entire night, trying to piece everything back together.
The next morning, Thomas quickly freshened up and headed to the law firm after instructing Andy to take care of Christopher’s transportation. Maya’s smile disappeared after seeing him. She asked sarcastically, “I’m not sure what brings Mr. Ford here to my humble firm today. What can I do for you?”
Thomas ignored her tone. Instead, he rubbed his fingers and said, “I know you and Shannon are close. I–I’m here to ask about her whereabouts. Do you know where she went?”
Maya’s gaze was filled with scorn when she heard his words. As Shannon’s best friend, she knew everything Shannon had experienced for the past five years.
She hadn’t expected Thomas to have the nerve to come asking about Shannon’s whereabouts.
Neither he nor Christopher had bothered to visit Shannon when she was hospitalized. Now that she was gone, they suddenly pretended to care.
Maya couldn’t help but feel relieved for Shannon. Thankfully, she had pulled away in time, or else she might have spent her entire life trapped in the Ford family.
She pointed to the door and mocked, “You should go, Mr. Ford. If you, her husband of five years, have no idea where she is, what makes you think I would?”
Thomas‘ face was dark with fury as he walked out of the law firm.
His last lead was gone–he had completely lost trace of Shannon now.
The veins on his forehead bulged, and his hands curled into tight fists.
Thomas still couldn’t accept the fact that Shannon had left him. How could someone who’d loved him so much and fussed over him leave without a word? They even had a four–year–old son together. How could she abandon them just like that?
Just as Thomas was drowning in confusion, Grace called him. Her usual gentle tone was now cold and sharp.
She said, “You’ve completely embarrassed the Ford family. As the heir, not only did you ignore the media chaos, but you also placed yourself at the center of the gossip!
“They caught photos of you, Chris, and Laura together, Everyone now thinks that you married Laura in secret and even had a child–it’s ridiculous!”
Grace then sighed before continuing, “Now that the rumors are all over the place, you might as well go ahead and marry Laura while you’re at it.”
Thomas frowned upon hearing that. “I already have Shannon, Mom. How could you still ask me to marry Laura? Besides, Shannon is Chris‘ biological mother. He needs her, and Laura can’t take her place.”
Grace was shocked. “Don’t you know that Shannon already gave me the custody waiver agreement?”
