The Divorce That Brought Us Back novel Chapter 30

"Maloney is also on the shortlist for Capital City's Top Ten Outstanding Young Entrepreneurs this year. He's already achieved things most men only dream of, but no one turns down that kind of political leverage. And 'family harmony' is a massive criterion for the award."

"Every man has flaws. You have to be forgiving. Maloney's reputation among the elite is utterly flawless. Look around, Nora. You will never, ever find a man more powerful or perfect than him."

David talked for a long time.

Every single word was meticulously calculated. He never explicitly forbade her from leaving, but every sentence was a psychological cage.

The Dodge and Jameson families were financially chained together. Maloney needed the PR. A billionaire who didn't cheat and didn't hit his wife was a unicorn.

She couldn't divorce him.

Compared to her personal misery, there were billions of dollars and massive political stakes on the line.

She understood exactly how the game was played.

"David, it was just a passing thought. That's why I came to talk to you." She forced a perfectly hollow smile. "I haven't actually made up my mind yet. I didn't tell Diana because I know she's swamped, and I didn't want to stress her out."

That was a lie.

Nora had texted Diana yesterday asking to meet. Diana had bluntly replied that she was entirely consumed by corporate mergers and couldn't be bothered, telling her to bring it up next week.

Going to David had been an act of total desperation.

Seeing her cave, David let out a massive sigh of relief. He smiled broadly. "That's my girl. Nora, anytime you're feeling stressed, you come straight to me."

Nora smiled back. "Okay."

Throughout lunch, David aggressively sang Maloney's praises.

He practically elevated the man to the status of a living god.

Nora never brought up the divorce again.

Driving home, she suddenly thought of Cassidy Quinn. No wonder Cassidy had chosen to swallow her disgust and stay in a rotting marriage to secure her family's empire.

The marriage of two heirs bound the financial lifelines of both bloodlines.

When Cassidy had explained why she refused to leave Parker, she had claimed her family would disown her, and the divorce would skin her alive.

But that wasn't the truth. Cassidy's older brother worshipped the ground she walked on.

He would never have let her burn in that hellhole.

She had signed the papers. And now she was the one trying to tear them up.

She hadn't thought about the collateral damage.

She was too naive. Too reckless. Just as Maloney had brutally pointed out, she didn't even have a single valid excuse to leave him.

She was the problem.

Nora pulled her car into a vacant lot near the park. She collapsed against the steering wheel, staring blankly into the void for a long time. Finally, she pulled out her phone and dialed Cassidy's number.

"Cassidy. I can't get a divorce."

Her voice was utterly shattered.

Cassidy was clearly out at a club; the bass in the background was deafening. "Huh?! What did you say? Are you upset?!"

"I..." Nora hesitated, swallowing the lump in her throat. "What are you doing?"

"My agency just signed a hot new prospect, we're throwing a massive welcome rager!" Cassidy screamed over the music. "Are you miserable?! Get your ass over here and let's get wasted!"