The Divorce That Brought Us Back novel Chapter 202

Maloney's gaze locked dead onto Nora.

It was as if he were trying to see right through her.

What nonsense was she spouting?

What did she mean, 'would I have ever crossed paths with you?'

Two years ago, Maloney had shown up to that event specifically for her.

He had explained this to her last time.

He hadn't been invited to Arthur Dodge's birthday banquet. The only reason he pulled strings to get inside was because he knew the old man planned to announce her engagement to Sebastian.

He had gone there with the sole intention of sabotaging it.

The incident had merely been a stroke of chance.

It didn't conflict with his overarching goal.

If the accident hadn't occurred, if Nora hadn't been drugged, and the night had proceeded peacefully until Arthur Dodge's announcement...

If either of them had refused, Maloney would have just watched from the sidelines.

But if they had both silently agreed and finalized the engagement, Maloney would have shoved photos of Sebastian kissing Bella Monroe right into Nora's hands.

If she had seen the photos and still chosen to accept the arrangement, Maloney would have dragged her out of there for a serious talk.

He would have asked if she loved the man enough to willingly compromise, or if she was being forced by some unspeakable hardship.

Unless Nora was desperately in love with Sebastian, Maloney had a million ruthless ways to destroy their union.

If you were going to steal someone away, you had to act the part of a predator.

Though, in hindsight, his planned methods were relatively conservative.

Unlike Bella Monroe, who, in her desperation to claim Sebastian, had orchestrated a plot that nearly destroyed Nora completely.

Therefore, whether the accident happened or not, the ultimate outcome was never going to change.

It only altered the process.

He had made this crystal clear to her before.

Maloney couldn't fathom why she was still asking ridiculous questions like, "Would I have ever crossed paths with you?"

Was she just being slow and not processing his words, or had her thoughts derailed completely again?

And what the hell did she mean by 'cross paths'?

Back when he was actively pursuing her, he had practically plastered himself in front of her every single day.

Did she just act completely blind?

After a moment of thought, Maloney carefully asked, "Do you remember what I told you last time?"

Nora turned her head to look at him. "What did you say?"

"Two years ago, I went to that banquet for you," Maloney said in a low, intense voice. "No matter what happened, I was going to find a way to make you mine."

Nora blinked, before quietly seeking clarification. "So you're saying, even if I wasn't drugged, you still would have slept with me?"

Maloney was speechless.

Was that what he meant?

A bark of exasperated laughter escaped his lips.

Before he could re-explain, realization dawned on her face.

"Oh, you meant you would have married me."

"No, I meant I would have slept with you."

Nora was utterly silent.

Maloney threw her over his shoulder and carried her straight into the studio.

His hand rested on her rear, giving it two light swats—half threat, half punishment.