The Ex-Wife He Can’t Have novel Chapter 43

Mallory grew even more infuriated.

But seeing Jillian's silent, submissive demeanor, she realized her own outrage wasn't going to fix anything.

Jillian wouldn't even fight for herself.

Mallory felt a surge of frustration, but mostly, her heart ached for the other woman.

With reddened eyes, she crossed her arms and stepped to the side.

Surprisingly, Sylvia was still putting on an act across from them: "Jillian? How could it be you?"

"I had only heard that Killian was tricked into this marriage by a manipulative woman. Everyone in the Quincy family despises her. I thought she was just someone with rock-bottom morals, so I never connected the dots that it was you."

"Jillian, I really thought better of you."

Sylvia let out a heavy, disappointed sigh.

She made it sound as if Jillian was the one who had wronged her.

Jillian let out a self-deprecating laugh.

How fascinating. She never realized Sylvia possessed this level of audacity.

The woman constantly found new ways to shatter her expectations.

"So, should I be thanking you for stepping in as the mistress of my marriage?"

Jillian lifted her chin, finally refusing to back down.

She fired the sarcastic remark back without a shred of mercy.

Even Mallory shot her a look of surprise.

"Jillian, that was incredibly uncalled for..."

Sylvia's expression turned severely stern, playing the role of the deeply offended victim.

Seeing the actual wife stand her ground gave Mallory a renewed burst of confidence.

She immediately stepped in front of Jillian, shielding her.

"If you don't like being called out, maybe you shouldn't act like a homewrecker."

Sylvia's eyes flared red with anger. "Mallory, what does this have to do with you? I know you've been comparing yourself to me since we were kids, and you've always come up short. You're just jealous of me..."

"Jealous of you?" Mallory interrupted without missing a beat. "At least I'm proud to carry my father's last name. Are you?"

Sylvia froze instantly.

When Mallory had dropped that biting remark about her father's name, the sheer, murderous chill rolling off Killian could have frozen someone alive.

He loved Sylvia deeply; there was no way he would just stand by and let her be humiliated.

When they finally returned to the private room, Daniel asked, "What took you two so long?"

"Ran into a couple of mutts," Mallory scoffed.

Daniel glanced inquiringly at Jillian.

Jillian waved a dismissive hand. "Killian."

Realizing what that meant, Daniel connected the dots. If Killian was there, Sylvia was undoubtedly the second mutt.

Mallory voiced a few more complaints, and both Daniel and Jillian patiently comforted her.

On the ride home, Mallory, feeling the effects of the drinks she'd had, rested her head against Jillian's shoulder.

Jillian was naturally introverted, whereas Mallory was a force of nature with very few boundaries.

Normally, Jillian wouldn't be comfortable getting so close to someone this quickly, but after seeing Mallory fiercely defend her against that toxic couple, she already considered her a true friend.

"Don't be sad. Let those two toxic disasters rot together. Killian doesn't deserve you," Mallory suddenly mumbled in comfort.