The Divorce That Brought Us Back novel Chapter 296

In the conference room.

Diana Dodge handed the signed contract to Maloney.

He took it, glancing up at her. "Nora is here. Do you want to see her?"

Diana furrowed her brow. After a brief pause, she said, "No need."

Maloney's expression remained neutral. He tapped the edge of the contract against the table to straighten the pages. "She met with Bella Monroe," he said flatly.

Diana's frown deepened.

"She also knows about David Dodge," he added.

Diana shot him a sharp look. "You told her?"

"No, she figured it out herself."

When Maloney said this, his tone and expression were a complex mix of emotions.

There was helplessness, indulgence, and even a hint of pride.

Diana's brow furrowed into deep crevices.

After a long silence, she said, "Then please make sure to keep an eye on her, Mr. Jameson. Do not let her interfere with the plan."

"Why are you so certain she would interfere just because she knows?" Maloney asked.

"If you say she won't, then she won't." Diana dismissed the topic entirely, completely unbothered by the actual answer. Her voice was utterly calm. "If there's nothing else, I'll be going. A pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Jameson."

She certainly didn't look like she was experiencing any pleasure.

Maloney let out a quiet scoff.

For an older sister, Diana truly didn't care about Nora's feelings in the slightest.

Maloney sat alone in the office for a moment before Mr. Hudson knocked and entered to remind him of his next meeting.

From nine in the morning until one in the afternoon, he had three meetings and two scheduled appointments.

When they concluded, Mr. Hudson gave his report. "Mrs. Jameson woke up at ten-twenty, had a cafeteria breakfast at ten-thirty, bought everyone coffee at eleven-fifteen, and ordered a strawberry cake at twelve-ten. She has not yet gone out for lunch."

"My afternoon schedule," Maloney prompted.

Mr. Hudson briefed him on his itinerary as they headed back to the top floor.

Upon returning to his office, Maloney found Nora sitting alone on the sofa, engrossed in files regarding the recently collapsed Westport project.

She had sent Maisie off to get lunch.

"Nora."

Hearing the door open, Nora set the documents down and bounded up from the sofa.

She was wearing a vintage emerald-green velvet dress. She had sent Maisie to buy it on a whim that morning. It wasn't her usual style, but it suited her perfectly.

She practically fluttered over to him like a butterfly.

"Maloney."

Holding his laptop in his left hand, Maloney wrapped his right arm around her waist, carefully studying her expression.

According to Mr. Hudson, she had finished reading all the files.

Nora looked up at him. "Have you eaten?"

"Not yet."

"I'll go with you."

"Alright."

Maloney set his laptop down and led her out of the office.

She didn't seem upset.

Nora was terrible at hiding her emotions from him; anger, sadness, and annoyance were always written plainly on her face.

He had assumed that after reading the files, she would be depressed for at least a while.

But right now, not only was there no negativity, she actually seemed... enthusiastic?

Nora clung to his arm. "Let's go to that BBQ place downstairs, okay?"

"Okay."

"Do you have more work this afternoon?"

"I do," Maloney said, pausing briefly. "Today is the fourth day of the New Year. Once I'm done today, my vacation starts tomorrow."

"The holidays aren't even over, but so many people are working."

[Attention all duty & overtime staff: The entire batch of signature sausages has been monopolized by Mrs. Jameson today.]

[...]

[...Defeated by capitalism.]

[Watch your words!]

Right after finishing a full lunch, Nora was presented with a platter of thirty sausages.

She ate two and distributed the rest to the executive office staff.

When Maloney went to his meetings, she sat quietly in his office for the entire afternoon.

That night, back at home.

Nora initiated physical contact, wrapping her arms around him. "Maloney, I bought the pill," she whispered.

"What?" Maloney held her tight.

"The morning-after pill," Nora murmured into his ear. "The instructions say it's effective within seventy-two hours. Counting from last night, tonight or tomorrow morning is fine. I'll take it tomorrow at noon."

Realizing what she meant, Maloney was in disbelief. "Hand it over."

"Huh?"

"You're not taking it."

"But last night..."

"I didn't finish inside last night. If you somehow get pregnant from that, then going by your logic, this kid would be a one-in-a-billion genius."

"Taking it once won't hurt."

"Not even once."

Maloney insisted she hand over the medication.

Pouting, she reluctantly pulled the box from her bag, clearly displeased.

It suddenly dawned on Maloney.

This was the first genuine, unfiltered emotion he had seen on her face all day.