The Divorce That Brought Us Back novel Chapter 113

"You must be Nora!" The woman beamed affectionately, her voice incredibly warm. "I'm your aunt's husband's cousin!"

Nora was speechless.

No, wait.

Who?

An aunt's husband's cousin?

First of all, her aunt was... she didn't even have an aunt!

Nora stood there stunned for two solid seconds.

Just then, a fluffy little corgi charged out of the room on its stubby legs, running like the wind. It wiggled its way right up to Nora, staring at her with wide, round eyes. Its ears perked straight up as it let out two crisp, loud barks.

"Nora?" Jasmine hurried out right behind the corgi. "You got here so fast!"

She quickly stepped forward, grabbing Nora's other hand before gesturing to the woman beside her. "This is Penelope Hart. She's Felix's mom."

Nora quickly said, "It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Hart."

Penelope and Jasmine pulled Nora inside, one on each side.

The corgi followed them, barking excitedly.

Penelope was overwhelmingly enthusiastic, pulling Nora and Jasmine onto the sofa to chat.

Nora noticed Jasmine had dyed her hair.

It wasn't bleached, just a common chestnut brown.

The color would look even more stunning if she styled it in loose waves.

The corgi kept circling Jasmine, completely attached to her.

Jasmine patted its head, then gave its rear a gentle tap, motioning for it to go play on its own.

Nora tried several times to find an opening to talk to Jasmine alone.

But Penelope never gave her the chance.

She pointed at Felix, who was in the kitchen washing vegetables by himself. "My son is just so domesticated."

"And he's such a good kid." Penelope patted Nora's arm. "I'll tell you a secret, Nora. I had three boys, but I always desperately wanted a daughter."

Nora nodded politely.

Penelope pointed at Felix, looking incredibly proud. "When my son found out I wanted a girl, he immediately put on a dress just to make me happy."

Once Felix finished cleaning up, Jasmine took Nora back next door to her own apartment.

The world finally fell quiet.

"Was her enthusiasm a little overwhelming?"

Jasmine pulled two sodas from the fridge, handing one to Nora with a smile. "I had the exact same reaction the first time I met her."

"Why does she come over every single week?" Nora asked.

"Nothing special, just to have a meal and chat," Jasmine said. "The second time I met her, I secretly asked Felix why she visited so often."

"Felix said she's the ultimate master of time management. Seven days in a week: she gives one to her husband, one to each of her three sons, one to her parents, one to her in-laws, and one to herself."

"Isn't that amazing?" Jasmine couldn't help but laugh again. "Everyone in their family is just so fascinating."

Nora stared at Jasmine intently.

Suddenly, she couldn't quite read her friend's emotions.

Was she genuinely laughing? Or was she forcing a smile? When she had been petting the corgi earlier, was she hurting inside? There was no sorrow in her eyes; she seemed completely different from before.

Nora finally asked, "Did you write that monologue online?"