He Gave Her Strawberries, Gave Me Hives (Ford and Sylvia) novel Chapter 8

Ford stood in the busy airport arrivals hall, staring at his phone with a frown as the call went to voicemail.

He looked up, his gaze lingering on the spot where he thought he saw Sylvia disappear into the crowd.

Lyla, clinging to his arm, noticed him staring into space. “Ford, what are you looking at?”

Ford looked away and shook his head. “Nothing.”

He had only caught a glimpse of a back, and in the blink of an eye, she was gone.

But…

He hesitated.

It couldn’t be Sylvia.

That was the gate to New York.

Sylvia used to report her itinerary to him no matter where she went.

Thinking of this, he opened his chat history with her.

He realized their last conversation was from the day they filed for divorce.

He never intended to actually divorce her, so he hadn’t gone to City Hall and hadn’t given it a second thought.

She had texted him asking if he was on his way, and he had just glanced at it and ignored it.

Since then, she hadn’t sent a single message.

He’d been abroad with Lyla for weeks, and Sylvia hadn’t contacted him once.

Ford frowned and decided to text her–a rare move for him.

Haven’t heard from you in forever. Still sulking? Look, I only punished you to calm Lyla down. You were out of control pushing her. If she got hurt and went to the cops, think about the consequences. I’m back from my trip and I brought you a gift. Where are you?

Since she wouldn’t answer the phone, he typed out a long paragraph explaining why he had punished her.

But the moment he hit send, a red exclamation mark popped up.

Followed by the system notification: Message Not Delivered.

Ford’s eyes widened. “Did she just block me?”

Lyla leaned in curiously. “Ford, who would dare block you? Sylvia?”

Before Ford could answer, his phone rang again. It was the landline from the Holloway Estate.

13:06

He Gave Her Strawberr

Chapter 8

He picked up and heard his father’s low, ominous voice. “Come home. Now.”

His father sounded cold, suppressing a simmering rage.

Ford frowned. “Okay.”

His parents had always liked Sylvia. He suspected she had gone running to them to tattle.

Just as he was thinking that, his father added, “And bring that secretary of yours. Lyla.”

Ford paused. “Dad, why do you want to see her? She…”

His father hung up before he could finish.

Listening to the dial tone, Ford grew even more annoyed, convinced that Sylvia had snitched on him.

Seeing his expression, Lyla asked, “Ford, is something wrong?”

Ford said flatly, “It’s nothing. You’re coming with me to my parents‘ estate.”

Lyla’s eyes lit up, though she acted nervous. “Ford, is it okay if we just show up? Should I prepare some gifts?”

Ford, distracted, didn’t catch her drift. “No need. They don’t care about that stuff.”

He turned and strode toward the exit.

Lyla had to jog to keep up.

They arrived at the Holloway Estate quickly and walked in side–by–side.

In the living room, Ford’s parents were waiting, their expressions frosty.

Lyla instinctively tightened her grip on Ford’s arm and stammered, “Un… Mr. Holloway, Mrs. Holloway, hello.”

Under his parents‘ glare, Ford awkwardly pulled his arm away from Lyla’s grip.

He frowned at them. “Why did you call us here? Did Sylvia come crying to you?”

‘She messed up, and she still has the nerve to play the victim with you guys? She’s getting out of hand!”

His mother let out a sharp laugh and stood up, walking toward them.

Her sharp gaze swept over Lyla from head to toe.

Then, under Lyla’s anxious stare, she raised her hand and slapped Lyla hard across the face.

Smack!

13:06