The Divorce That Brought Us Back novel Chapter 78

But now, thinking about it all over again was actually starting to irritate her.

"What do you mean, name one person? There's no 'one person'—literally everyone knows you liked her," Nora mumbled, her brow furrowing. "Parker was just talking about it. If you asked any of your old friends, they'd all say the same thing."

"They're rumors," Maloney stated flatly.

Something clicked in Nora's brain, and she added, "She even says it herself."

"She's delusional."

Nora went silent.

"Nora." Maloney gently gripped her waist and effortlessly lifted and spun her so that she was straddling his lap, forcing her to look him dead in the eye. "Do you trust me?"

Nora didn't look away.

But she wasn't entirely sure if what she was feeling counted as trust.

She had moved past caring about this a long time ago.

It was completely normal for people to have past relationships.

Nora had offered the divorce to give Maloney and Seraphina their happy ending, but Maloney had refused.

He told her he liked her.

And Nora had undeniably felt the weight of that affection.

So whatever happened in the past didn't really matter anymore.

She thought for a moment before answering, "I trust you... mostly."

Maloney was speechless for a second.

He pressed on. "What part don't you trust?"

"Yes, Nora. If you hadn't brought this up, I wouldn't have even realized the rumors had gotten this out of control."

"Didn't your friends ever mention it?" Nora pressed. "Parker just brought it up."

"Nora, you've met all my actual friends. Quentin Vance from college, Leo Sterling from the commerce chamber, and Silas King from Quantum Tech."

"Those people from the old neighborhood are barely acquaintances. I don't know Parker, and the only person in the Quincy family whose opinion I care about is Bridget."

"The circles spreading these rumors have nothing to do with my actual life. I don't waste my energy on people who don't matter. I admit I overlooked this, but I'll have my team put out a statement to kill the narrative."

With that, Maloney gently smoothed her hair. "Any other questions?"

Nora's dark, expressive eyes darted around for a second before she shook her head. "No."

Maloney could tell there was still something bothering her.

But with her personality, waiting for her to volunteer the information was impossible.