< Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Sylvia waited at home for three days. She didn’t get the signed divorce papers from Ronan.
Instead, she woke up to see Apricot Manor listed for sale online.
Her teeth clenched so hard it hurt. Damn that man Ronan, the bastard who took advantage of her for years.
And he couldn’t even be bothered to pay her the severance she deserved?
Was he really this petty?
She called him more than a dozen times. Not once did he pick up.
When she finally got through, a woman answered.
It only took a second to recognize Lacey’s voice.
A flicker of scorn glimmered in Sylvia’s eyes. He was nothing if not consistent.
Even now, when everything was falling apart, they were still playing house together.
Sylvia didn’t have the energy for pleasantries. She got straight to the point.”Put Ronan on the phone.”
After a pause, she heard him take the call.
His voice came cool and detached through the line.”Yes?”
Like he was already certain she’d come crawling back, that she’d beg him to reconsider.
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Sylvia’s hand trembled, her grip tightening around the phone. Swallowing her pride felt like swallowing glass.”Tell me what I have to do to make you take Apricot Manor off the market.”
There was a long, quiet stretch before he finally replied.”Come to the family dinner tomorrow.”
The call ended abruptly.
But in the last second before the line went dead, she heard Lacey’s voice again, sweet and soft as sugar, calling him Ron.
Once Sylvia herself had tried using that name. He’d gone still, face darkening with distaste as he told her he didn’t like it and not to call him that
again.
After that, she’d never dared.
So it was her special name.
Sylvia sat there on the sofa, staring blankly into space. When she turned her head, she realized Cora was watching her, eyes flat and
unreadable.
She tried for a smile, but it came out twisted and brittle..
“Looks like I won’t be leaving just yet.”
Cora frowned.”Don’t smile like that. It’s pathetic. Give me ten minutes, and I’ll find someone to get rid of him for you.”
Sylvia pressed her lips together, saying nothing.
“You know,” Cora went on, her voice as sharp and precise as a scalpel, “even if you owed the Gordon family something once, you’ve paid them back a thousand times over. So why are you still acting like this? Like some puppet? Admit it. You still can’t let him go.”
The words sank deep, splitting something raw inside her.
She swallowed the ache, unwilling to keep picking at this wound.
“I’ll find a place in the next few days. I’ll move out.”
Maybe she couldn’t leave the marriage just yet, but she was done living under his roof.
She had enough savings for a small apartment. It would be more than enough for one person.
Ever since she’d overheard that call, she’d been staying at Cora’s place, feeling more like an intruder with each passing day.
No sooner had she spoken than Cora snapped her head around, forgetting all about the drama she’d been streaming.
“Why do you need another place?”
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< Chapter 7
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“I can’t keep imposing on you and your boyfriend.”
Cora sputtered, all her bluster deflating in an instant.
“What the hell do you care what he thinks? You’ve been living here, and I haven’t complained. If he doesn’t like it, too bad.”
Sylvia managed a weary smile.”You know I hate being a burden.”
When Cora saw that she wouldn’t be persuaded, she stood up in frustration.”Fine. Do what you want.”
And just like that, Sylvia started making arrangements.
There was plenty to keep her occupied. She still needed to monitor the aftermath of the Vulture Group’s project.
She even found time to submit her resignation.
She’d only ever taken the job at Gordon Airlines because of Ronan. And now that the place was crawling with people who made her sick, losing that position didn’t feel like a loss at all.
The next day, the Gordon family dinner arrived. Sylvia woke at dawn.
Back when she’d cared about Ronan and his family, she’d always gone to these gatherings with meticulous preparation.
The habit was so ingrained that even now, when she wanted nothing more than to stay in bed, she lay there wide awake, staring at the ceiling.
She curved her lips into a bitter smile. Bad habits would take time to unlearn.
She’d assumed Ronan would send
driver. She never imagined he’d show up himself.
And she certainly didn’t expect to see someone sitting in the passenger seat.
He’d brought Lacey along. What the hell did that mean?
Sylvia’s hand clenched tight around the backseat door handle, knuckles paling with strain.
Lacey turned with a bright, guileless smile.
“Long time no see! I just got back a few days ago and wanted Ron to bring us together. But he kept saying you were busy. I happened to be nearby for something, so I hitched a ride with Ron to come see you. You’re not mad, are you?”
Nice words, but there was a clear provocation in her eyes that only Sylvia could see.
