The Divorce That Brought Us Back novel Chapter 21

The atmosphere in the elevator was suffocatingly tense.

Sebastian's expression turned grim as he turned to scold his sister. "Seraphina, stop talking nonsense!"

Seraphina merely shrugged with utter nonchalance. "Fine, fine, I'm talking nonsense."

"Mr. Jameson, Ms. Dodge," Sebastian said, looking apologetically at Maloney and Nora. "Seraphina is spoiled at home and speaks without a filter. Please don't hold it against her."

"I was just making a joke. Why are you so serious?" Seraphina muttered. She walked right up to Nora and linked their arms with feigned intimacy. Then, leaning past Nora, she locked eyes with Maloney, who was tightly holding Nora's other hand. She dragged out her words playfully, "Maloney, you don't mind if I borrow your wife for a bit, do you?"

Of course he minded.

Maloney was furious.

Whether it was Mr. Hudson, Seraphina, or Sebastian, he had the overwhelming urge to throw them all out.

But logic kept him grounded. His current rage stemmed entirely from the phrase "childhood engagement." Lashing out now would just be misdirected anger and would only invite unnecessary trouble.

Taking a shallow breath to suppress his turbulent emotions, Maloney turned an inquiring gaze toward Nora.

If she showed even the slightest hint of reluctance, he would pull her away and leave the company immediately.

But she didn't.

Nora gave him a small nod, her voice soft and compliant. "I'm fine with it. You go handle your business."

As soon as the words left her mouth, Seraphina aggressively shoved Maloney's hand away from Nora's. "Alright, enough with the PDA. Leave the men to their business. Us girls need to catch up."

Nora was like a piece of soft dough, letting Seraphina drag her away without a single trace of anger or resistance.

Maloney's irritation peaked. Staring at Nora's docile, innocent demeanor, he forcefully swallowed his burning frustration. His voice dropped to a low, commanding timbre. "I'll come find you when I'm done. Call me if you need anything."

Nora offered a faint smile. "Okay."

Seraphina lifted her chin haughtily. "If you understand, then you should take the initiative to leave him."

Truthfully, Nora thought Seraphina was barking up the wrong tree. Even if she was Maloney's "one that got away," Nora and Maloney were legally married. If Seraphina couldn't control her feelings, she needed to wait until Maloney actually divorced her.

If anyone needed to be pressured, it was Maloney.

But Nora couldn't resist the urge to provoke her right back.

"Seraphina," Nora said sweetly. "You just said it yourself. My marriage to Maloney ensures the stability of his company. A sudden divorce could cause stock market turbulence. I simply can't do anything that would ruin his career."

That single sentence effectively choked the life out of Seraphina's argument.

She didn't speak for a long time.

Nora didn't care about her reaction. The sun was perfect on the balcony, casting a golden glow over everything. She narrowed her eyes, gazing out at the horizon, letting the breeze wash over her. Internally, she had never felt so peaceful.