The Divorce That Brought Us Back novel Chapter 408

He instinctively rejected the concept altogether.

Until he crossed paths with Nora again.

Honestly, the very second Maloney laid eyes on the grown-up Nora, his mind instantly flashed back to a memory: the two of them sitting in a sunlit courtyard. He was tinkering with a machine, screwdriver in hand, while she sat quietly in a lounge chair reading a book.

That profound sense of peace and rightness was impossible to shake.

Awkwardly enough, that was the year Nora had just graduated high school. She was barely eighteen.

Maloney was seven years older.

He started by casually testing the waters.

After a full year of minimal contact, he had made zero headway.

Having absolutely no experience in chasing women, Maloney had to resort to consulting his inner circle.

Lee Sterling, a seasoned older brother figure who was already married with kids, was the designated expert. He advised, "Just confess your feelings."

"No," Maloney flatly refused.

"If you don't tell her, how is she supposed to know you're into her?"

"I confess, she rejects me, and then what?"

"You're already desperately finding excuses to buy her dinner with zero results anyway!"

Maloney still felt it was a terrible idea.

Nora was already aggressively guarded around him.

If he dropped a confession on her, she'd probably run for the hills.

Lee shook his head in disbelief. "Are you seriously the same ruthless corporate shark everyone is terrified of?"

"This is not a business negotiation."

"How is it any different? Let me tell you, when you're pursuing a woman—especially a highly sought-after one—if you don't use some calculated tactics, you won't even make it onto the battlefield."

Maloney blinked. "What?"

It seemed to be the very first time it occurred to him that other men might be actively pursuing her.

Up until now, his only perceived threat had been Sebastian Sinclair.

After all, Sebastian and Nora had an arranged childhood betrothal.

But when Nora's life had hit rock bottom, Sebastian hadn't just refused to help; he had kicked her when she was down.

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