The Divorce That Brought Us Back novel Chapter 278

This was the first time since their marriage that Nora hadn't returned to her in-laws' home for the holidays.

She rarely spoke to her mother-in-law anyway, so since Maloney said they weren't going, she didn't press the issue.

She had the estate manager deliver the pre-arranged gifts and holiday supplies to his parents' house.

Once that was handled, she personally went to the kitchen to review the New Year's Eve dinner menu.

Even though it would only be her and Maloney celebrating tonight, their regular housekeeper had gone home for the holidays yesterday. A temporary chef was filling in today, and Nora wanted to make sure there were no mix-ups with their flavor preferences or dietary habits. She double-checked everything thoroughly.

By the time she emerged from the kitchen, it was exactly four in the afternoon.

Maloney still wasn't home.

Nora texted him, asking roughly what time he expected to be back.

After hitting send, she noticed a flurry of unread messages in her group chat.

Jasmine: [I told you, we are not dating! It's not real!]

Cassidy: [Oh, right, right. Not dating. You're 'not dating' him, yet you're going to his family's house for the holidays?]

Jasmine: [We have to shoot our going-home-for-the-holidays vlog!]

Cassidy: [Sure, whatever you say.]

Jasmine: [...]

They were at it again.

Yesterday, Nora and Cassidy had asked Jasmine where she was spending the holidays.

She had said the Evergreen Wellness Center.

Historically, the Smith family always spent the holidays at the center.

But this year, Nathan Smith told Jasmine that he was taking Valery to a special New Year's gala at the facility and suggested Jasmine go out and have fun on her own.

With both Nora and Cassidy spending time with their families, where was Jasmine supposed to go alone on New Year's Eve?

She had originally declined Felix's offer.

But this morning, she suddenly announced she was going to Felix Hart's estate for the holidays.

Cassidy had been roasting her about it all day.

Jasmine: [You sound exactly like...]

Jasmine: [Hold on. Let me go ask him.]

Half an hour passed with no reply.

Cassidy was visiting her own parents for the holidays, busy showing off her successful corporate takedowns to her relatives. Soon, she too went quiet.

At 5:30 PM, the temporary chef came out to ask Nora when dinner should be served.

"Just prep everything for now. I'll let you know."

Nora looked down at her phone.

Ten minutes ago, Maloney had replied: [I'll be home.]

He hadn't specified a time.

Nora thought about it and decided not to push for details.

She curled up on the sofa, resting her head against the armrest, her gaze drifting blankly through the floor-to-ceiling windows toward the apple tree in the front yard.

That apple tree had been planted before they even got married.

At first, she hadn't known what kind of tree it was. It wasn't until summer turned to autumn and vibrant red apples weighed down the branches that she realized. Intrigued, she had asked Maloney why he chose to plant an apple tree in their yard.