Too Late for Sorry, Mr. Billionaire (Chasing my Wife Back) novel Chapter 31

THE living room was washed in the soft glow of mid-afternoon light, curtains drawn halfway to let the sun spill lazily across the tiled floor. Two elderly women sat comfortably on the plush couch, knees angled toward each other, fancy porcelain teacups cradled in their hands as thin wisps of steam curled into the air.

Mrs. Harlow lifted her cup carefully and took a small sip.

“This tea always tastes better when I have company,” she said with a pleased smile. “I swear, when I drink it alone, it is just… tea.”

Mrs. Ellis chuckled, setting her own cup down on the saucer.

“That’s because you add too much sugar when you are lonely,” she teased. “You are compensating.”

“Oh please,” Mrs. Harlow scoffed lightly. “As if I’m the lonely one here. You are the one who suddenly remembered she had a best friend after months of disappearance.”

Mrs. Ellis laughed, the sound full and warm.

“Don’t exaggerate. I called you last week.”

“And promised to come visit two weeks ago,” Mrs. Harlow countered, arching a brow.

Mrs. Ellis waved a dismissive hand.

“Life happens. Besides, I had to hear all about Amelia’s big news in person. These things are not meant for phone conversations.”

Mrs. Harlow’s lips curved into a knowing smile.

“Ah. So you ‘have’ heard.”

“How could I not?” Mrs. Ellis replied. “You sounded like you had just won a lottery when you mentioned it. A proposal does that to a mother, I suppose.”

Mrs. Harlow sighed happily, leaning back into the couch.

“You have no idea. After everything she has been through… seeing her smile again, seeing her hopeful, it does something to my heart.”

Mrs. Ellis nodded, lifting her cup again.

“And the children? How are they taking it?”

“They are children,” Mrs. Harlow said with a soft laugh. “Hazel acts like she knows everything already. Always watching, always analyzing. And the twins, oh goodness, one moment they are angels, the next moment they are plotting chaos.”

Mrs. Ellis laughed.

“That sounds about right. Ryan was the same way growing up. Quiet on the outside, but his mind? Always running.”

Mrs. Harlow tilted her head.

“Still quiet, that one.”

“Still,” Mrs. Ellis agreed. “But he is grown into his own. Too serious sometimes, if you ask me.”

Mrs. Harlow smiled knowingly.

“That seriousness shows at work. Amelia always mentions how dependable he is.”

Mrs. Ellis raised a brow, amused.

“Does she now?”

“Yes,” Mrs. Harlow said, sipping her tea. “Always saying how he handles things so calmly. I suppose that is why he puts up with that girl of his.”

Mrs. Ellis groaned dramatically.

“Don’t get me started.”

Mrs. Harlow chuckled.

“Still living together, right?”

“Still,” Mrs. Ellis replied, shaking her head. “Students, they say. Studying what exactly, I don’t know. Every time I visit, she’s cooking in my son’s kitchen like she owns the place.”

Mrs. Harlow laughed.

“At least she cooks.”

“She should,” Mrs. Ellis said pointedly. “She practically lives there.”

Mrs. Harlow dabbed her lips with a napkin.

“Young people these days move fast. Different times.”

“Different indeed,” Mrs. Ellis agreed. “But I won’t lie, Ryan seems… content. That is something, I suppose.”

Mrs. Harlow smiled softly.

“Contentment matters.”

They sat quietly for a moment, sipping their tea, the comfortable silence of old friendship settling between them.

Mrs. Ellis broke it with a grin.

“So, when do I get to meet this new man in Amelia’s life? You know I still haven't.”

Mrs. Harlow chuckled.

“Soon, I hope. He seems charming. Very attentive.”

Mrs. Ellis hummed.

“Attentive is good. Necessary, even. Especially with grandchildren involved.”

“Exactly,” Mrs. Harlow said. “Hazel watches everything. She needs to see consistency.”

Mrs. Ellis nodded.

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