The Divorce That Brought Us Back novel Chapter 65

Diana had just returned from the office. Dressed in a sharp, tailored power suit, her high heels clicked sharply against the floorboards.

Sensing the explosive tension in the room, she frowned slightly. Sweeping her gaze across the hall, her expression immediately hardened the moment she spotted Bella. "What is she doing here?"

"I was just about to explain," Vivian said, pulling Bella forward with a bright smile. "You kids all have your own families and careers now. I was feeling lonely, so I brought Bella back. She'll be staying with me from now on."

Diana’s eyes turned glacial. "Mother, send her away," she demanded coldly.

Vivian clearly hadn't expected such a harsh reaction from Diana.

Her face stiffened as she pressed on, "Diana, the past is in the past. There's no need to drag it up again. It wasn't that big of a deal anyway. It's better for the family to be happy and harmonious."

"You don't get to decide if the past is in the past. It's only in the past when Nora says it is." Diana's sharp gaze landed on Nora, noting the way the younger girl kept her head down in a despondent slump. Without bothering to confirm with Nora, Diana turned back to Vivian and delivered her final verdict. "Mother, send her away right now."

Diana was the undisputed head of the Dodge family.

Her word was absolute.

Seeing that things weren't going her way, Vivian shot a venomous glare at Nora. "You're the one tearing this family apart!"

Diana shifted her body, shielding Nora. "When you make a mistake, you face the consequences. You never should have brought her back."

"A mistake? What did Bella do wrong?" Vivian shrieked, pointing an accusing finger at Nora. "Did you suffer any actual harm back then?! No, you didn't! Not only did you walk away unscathed, but you also landed an incredible marriage out of it! This is a good thing!"

"Bella did you a massive favor, and you still hold a grudge? You forced her out of her home and made her suffer alone out there! Put your hand over your heart and ask yourself, don't you feel guilty?!"

"My brother died trying to save me! Bella is his only surviving bloodline! Instead of respecting and caring for her, you bully her! Aren't you afraid of facing your uncle when you die?"

Nora wasn't afraid.

She had never even met the man; she wouldn't recognize him if she tried.

Nora had heard this exact speech too many times to count. Her heart remained completely numb as she stood silently in the background.

While Vivian continued to argue furiously with Diana.

Nora’s thoughts slowly began to drift.

She started mentally debating which type of silk she should use for Leona's gown.

When she was little, Vivian used to scold her for no reason at all. Whether Bella had complained about something, or the elite circles were gossiping, Vivian would always pin the blame squarely on Nora to protect Bella.

It happened so often that Nora developed a coping mechanism: she would completely zone out while being yelled at.

She would tune out the screaming and silently recite textbooks in her head.

With Bella gone for two years, Nora hadn't been subjected to Vivian's tirades in a long time.

The familiar numbness was back.

After settling on the silk, she started contemplating embroidery patterns.

Until the wail of police sirens snapped her back to reality.

Nora stood quietly to the side, watching the melodramatic display of aunt-and-niece devotion.

Ultimately, Vivian was arrested for assaulting a police officer and was shoved into the back of the cruiser alongside Bella.

Diana and David walked out just in time to witness the scene.

Both of them froze.

No one had anticipated this outcome.

Unable to hold back, David asked, "Nora, what did you do?"

Nora glanced at him, offered no explanation, and got into her car to follow the police cruiser.

Diana and David quickly rushed to their own vehicles to pursue them.

Arriving at the police station.

As soon as Nora stepped out of her car, another vehicle pulled into the empty spot right next to hers. The door swung open, and to her absolute shock, Maloney stepped out.

She was just about to ask why he was here when Maloney strode forward, pulling her into a fierce, uncompromising embrace.

His familiar scent instantly flooded her senses.

Nora's chaotic emotions began to settle. Tilting her head up, she rested her chin against his chest and whispered, "Maloney, I did exactly what you told me to do."