The Divorce That Brought Us Back novel Chapter 279

They had groundskeepers. They could have easily planted something far more exquisite, or rare flowers with beautiful symbolism.

Maloney had told her that apple trees weren't picky about soil. They weren't fragile. Even in the bitterest winters, they rooted themselves firmly. In spring, their blossoms were pure and lovely, and in autumn, their fruit was bright and eye-catching. Pick one, take a bite, and it was crisp, sweet, and nourishing.

It seemed like the kind of tree that required minimal effort but yielded the greatest reward.

But the groundskeeper had warned him that just because it was resilient didn't mean it was easy to cultivate. Watering, fertilizing, pruning, and pest control—if he wasn't careful, it could still wither and die.

So, he insisted on planting an apple tree.

And he planted it in the most prominent spot in the yard, vowing to spend the most time meticulously caring for it.

He wanted to watch the apple tree grow taller and stronger every year, its blossoms blooming more radiantly every spring, and its harvest growing more abundant every autumn.

Back then, Nora had been completely baffled by his speech.

She assumed he was using the apple tree as a corporate metaphor, subtly warning her to work hard and stay grounded.

Looking back now, she finally understood the metaphor.

Maloney's love was hidden in countless little details.

He never declared it outright, but he never hid it either.

He gently guided her, hoping she would discover it on her own.

Tragically, whenever she had noticed those signs in the past, she always convinced herself she was just being delusional.

Take the very sofa she was lying on.

Originally, the living room had a standard three-seater leather couch.

Because of the gaps between the cushions, she had casually mentioned once that it was uncomfortable to lie across. That very day, Maloney had someone replace it with a plush, curved lounger that was perfect for laying down.

But then the new sofa clashed with the living room's aesthetic.

So the next day, an interior designer showed up to overhaul the entire space.

It went from a cold, minimalist luxury style to a warm, inviting luxury.

Which just happened to be Nora's exact taste.

At the time, she had been terrified by the lavish attention.

The truth was, throughout their two years of marriage, Maloney had been slowly and deliberately adapting to her habits and preferences.

He had molded their entire home into everything she loved.

He loved her so deeply. She should feel like the luckiest woman in the world.

Just as Diana had lectured her in the past, she had no right to act out. She should just settle down and live a quiet, happy life.

But she couldn't stop.

She used to zone out like this all the time.

As if she was weighed down by endless secrets and melancholy.

It had been a long time since she looked this way.

Over the past few months, whenever he came home, she was usually sprawled on the couch gaming, lounging on her chair chatting with friends, obsessively inspecting her flawless skin in the vanity mirror, or on her hands and knees drafting designs on the hardwood floor.

Sometimes, when he tried to hug her, she'd playfully swat him away.

But she was always relaxed.

Maloney quickened his pace.

Hearing his footsteps, Nora snapped out of her trance. She turned her head, and upon seeing him, tried to sit up. But Maloney caught her shoulders and gently pressed her back into the cushions.

Her body sank into the softness.

Maloney's kiss crashed down on her like a torrential storm.

Nora's eyes widened in shock.

She stared up at him, bewildered.

Maloney reached up, covering her eyes with his hand, applying gentle pressure to tilt her head back further.