The Divorce That Brought Us Back novel Chapter 25

Nora couldn't help but think about the way Maloney had dragged Seraphina away.

It felt entirely like a scene ripped straight out of a soap opera.

The long-lost lover returning after years abroad, the tragic reality of how much things had changed, the massive, impassable chasm between them... how were they ever going to bridge that gap?

"Nora."

Maloney's deep voice snapped her out of her spiraling thoughts.

"We're home," he announced.

She hadn't even realized the car had pulled into the driveway.

"Oh, right," she mumbled, scrambling to open the door and step out.

The moment she stepped into the entryway and bent down to take off her shoes, Maloney wrapped his arms tightly around her waist from behind and pressed a fierce, bruising kiss to the nape of her neck.

A violent shudder ripped through her body, and she nearly collapsed to the floor.

Maloney scooped her up in his arms and strode directly upstairs to the master bedroom.

The dark, primal frustration had been raging inside him since the moment he walked into his company. Mr. Hudson, Sebastian, Seraphina—every single one of them had poured gasoline on his temper.

It was burning so hot he could barely control himself.

Nora didn't put up a fight.

He placed her on the edge of the mattress.

He unbuckled the straps of her Mary Janes and tossed them aside.

He grabbed the zipper of her dress and pulled it all the way down.

But the sheer desolation and suffocating numbness etched into Nora's face brought him to a dead halt.

He let out a heavy sigh and pulled her into a sitting position against his chest.

"Nora."

"Yeah?"

"What are you thinking about?"

She rested her cheek against his broad shoulder, her voice barely a whisper. "I want to talk to you."

"Alright. Let's talk." Maloney pulled a soft blanket over her lap and arranged a few throw pillows behind her back so she could lean comfortably against the headboard.

He sat cross-legged next to her. "What do you want to talk about?"

Nora exhaled shakily. "...Right."

She continued, "Anyway, you just release a statement saying our marriage irreparably broke down. I'll personally back you up to the media. You don't have to worry about your corporate image taking a hit."

Maloney stared at her for a long time before speaking. "I already told you. I'm not agreeing to a divorce."

Nora slumped. "...Why?"

"You don't get to ask me why I won't agree. I should be asking you why you're so hellbent on leaving."

Maloney's tone was dead serious. "Last time, you claimed you wanted out because we had no feelings for each other. You said you were unable to give the family an heir and failed the elders' expectations. Nora, do you honestly believe those excuses hold any weight?"

"If you insist on leaving me, you need to give me a real reason."

Nora opened her mouth to speak.

But the words died in her throat.

Should she bring up the photos? But a few grainy photos didn't inherently prove infidelity.

It wasn't definitive proof of cheating.

If she wasn't careful, Maloney might just accuse her of hiring a private investigator to stalk him.