# Chapter 23: The Phone Call That Changes Everything
Hello everyone, it's me again! How are you all doing? I hope you're ready for another deep dive into the tangled, passionate world of "Seduced By My Ex's Divorce Attorney." Today, I'm walking you through Chapter 23, and let me tell you—this one is packed with family drama, office chaos, and a cliffhanger that will leave you gasping. So grab your coffee (or maybe something stronger), and let's unravel this together.
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The chapter opens with Hannah mid-conversation with her father, and from the moment he chuckles that deep, throaty laugh—the one she knows means he had one too many cigars at guy's night—you can feel the weight settling onto her shoulders. Her dad, ever the confident patriarch, wastes no time throwing a bomb into her already overflowing schedule: he wants her to plan her mother's birthday party. Not just any party, mind you—a small, intimate gathering at their private club, because apparently, appearances matter even when you claim you don't want to be a burden.
Hannah tries to push back. She's drowning in gala preparations, and her mother's birthday is practically on top of it. But her father isn't hearing it. He uses that stern voice—the one that reminds Hannah of the time he caught her and Beau Thornton with weed in the basement when she was sixteen. She still remembers how Beau literally wet himself when her dad pinned him against the wall by his Lacoste polo. Some memories never fade.
When Hannah suggests hiring someone, her father shuts it down immediately. He reminds her that she's in the final stages of the gala and that planning a small gathering for her mother shouldn't be a big deal. The kicker? He tells her, "She needs to know we love and adore her." That line hits differently when you know the complicated history between Hannah and her mother. But despite everything, Hannah agrees. She's still a daughter who loves her mother, even if their relationship is more frost than warmth.
The conversation shifts when her father asks if there's a man taking up her time. Hannah hesitates. Does she mention Roarke? The man who isn't from their world, even if his bank account could rival those of her social circle? She decides to be vague, saying she might bring someone to the party but it's too early to say anything definite. Her father presses for a name, but Hannah holds her ground, promising he'll find out at the party—if she and Roarke are still going strong.
When the call ends, Hannah's head drops onto her desk. The exhaustion is palpable. But there's no rest for the wicked, because Victoria appears in the doorway, having overheard enough to know that Hannah's been tasked with planning her mother's birthday party. Victoria comments on how the glow has left Hannah's cheeks—a telling observation that speaks volumes about the toll this family dynamic takes on her.
Hannah admits she's calling in a favor from her event organizer because there's no way she's planning her mother's party only to be ridiculed about linens and flowers. Victoria, ever curious and supportive, asks if Hannah really doesn't like her mother. Hannah's response is brutally honest: "Neither of us care much for the other. I'm a constant disappointment and she's always advising me on how I could've been a perfect wife if I'd only cut out my tongue."
Victoria is shocked, and when Hannah clarifies that her mother heavily implied her sharp tongue needs controlling if she's ever going to keep a man, the contrast between Victoria's loving mother and Hannah's critical one becomes painfully clear. Victoria notes that Hannah's mother has never set foot in the office or called the office line—a stark difference from her own mother, who's clearly more involved. Hannah agrees, adding that she'd never trust her mother with her daughter if she ever had one.
After Victoria leaves, Hannah makes the call to Tracy, the event organizer, who is more than happy to handle a Crowley event. Hannah fakes her usual enthusiasm, not wanting anyone to suspect she doesn't want to plan her mother's party. She lets them believe she's just swamped with her non-profit foundation. Her mother can spin anything to suit her narrative—reputation is everything.
Then Chelsea walks in with a problem: the venue's usual caterer is unavailable, and they need to find a great one on short notice for the gala. Chelsea has already called all the big caterers and is on a waitlist, but the rest have bad Yelp ratings. Hannah notices Chelsea looks a bit green, and when she asks if she's okay, Chelsea reveals she's dealing with morning sickness. She's happy, though—it means the baby is still there. The relief and fear in her voice are heartbreaking. She and Dean are waiting for the ball to drop every single day.
The moment is interrupted by Victoria delivering a package for Chelsea from Dean. Inside is a Cubs onesie with a note that reads, "We can be the first people to raise a crosstown lover. No picking sides. Love, Dean." The onesie has the Cubs logo on one side, the Sox on the other, and the name Bennett on the back. Chelsea breaks down crying—a cascade of tears she can't control. She sobs about how sweet Dean is and how she can't believe he's hers. Victoria and Hannah let her get it all out, and Hannah suggests Chelsea go call Dean and thank him, maybe take him to lunch. Chelsea initially refuses, insisting she's a professional, but eventually relents and heads out.
Victoria jokes about convincing Reed it's time to have a baby, and Hannah teases that Reed will probably propose to speed things along. The lighthearted moment is interrupted by Hannah's phone vibrating—Roarke is calling.
His deep voice immediately sets her body on high alert. He tells her he misses her, and when she points out she saw him that morning, he insists it's been too long. He invites her to Torrio's at six, and their flirty banter escalates quickly. Roarke teases her about whether she wants the gentleman to answer when she asks if he plans on feeding her. The tension is electric, and Hannah finds herself pressing her thighs together as he promises to feed her something substantial but leave her hungry after.
Their call is interrupted by a beep and a sweet, young female voice saying Roarke's name. He has to go—back-to-back meetings with clients. As he's about to hang up, he tells his receptionist to tell Mr. Quinton he'll call him back. The name lingers in the air as the line goes dead.
Mr. Quinton.
Hannah's mind races. Could it be him? The same Mr. Quinton connected to Todd, her ex-husband? The asshole who's friends with Todd and could easily have referred Roarke over scotch at the club? She remembers Todd's annoying voice in her head: "Roarke Baldwin got me everything I didn't deserve. Hannah can spare it, she's still sitting on millions."
Unable to shake the suspicion, Hannah calls her friend Scarlett, but gets voicemail. She leaves a casual message, then decides to do some social media stalking. If Scarlett and David are divorcing, surely Facebook or Instagram would reflect it. But when she checks Scarlett's profile, all she sees are a million pictures of Scarlett, David, and the kids on a beach somewhere—happy, together, and completely at odds with the divorce narrative Hannah was expecting.
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**Reader's Impressions & Star Rating**
Wow. Just wow. This chapter is a masterclass in balancing multiple storylines while keeping the emotional stakes high. The contrast between Hannah's complicated relationship with her mother and Victoria's warm family dynamic is heartbreaking, and Chelsea's pregnancy journey adds a layer of vulnerability that grounds the story in real emotion.
The phone call with Roarke is steamy, but that ending? That cliffhanger with Mr. Quinton's name? Absolutely chilling. The way the author weaves in Hannah's paranoia and past trauma with Todd is brilliant. You can feel her world tilting, and you're right there with her, questioning everything.
I'm giving this chapter a solid **⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 4.8 / 5 Stars**. The only reason it's not a perfect 5 is because I wanted just a little more resolution on the Mr. Quinton mystery—but that's what makes it so addictive, right?
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**Next Chapter Prediction**
Based on that cliffhanger, I predict Hannah is going to dig deeper into Roarke's connection to Mr. Quinton. She's already suspicious, and Scarlett's Instagram showing a happy family is only going to make her more confused. I think Hannah will confront Roarke at dinner, and we'll finally get some answers—but not before some serious tension and maybe a few tears. Will Roarke be honest with her? Or will this be the first crack in their relationship? Either way, I'm buckling up for a wild ride.
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