Sweet Divorce

As the two were in the heat of the moment, the phone rang out again.

And the caller was none other than her father Noah.

Rita stared at the screen for several seconds, then finally picked up the phone, saying with a sweet “hello”, “Early for you to be calling, Dad, what is it?”

As she spoke, she leant her soft body back against the man’s embrace, letting him support her entire being.

Liam hugged the woman in his arms to him lightly, willingly acting as her pillow.

“It’s your mother’s birthday, Rita. If you’re free, why don’t you come over for a meal to celebrate?”

Hearing her father’s cautious question over the line, Rita’s heart sank. A bad feeling started roiling in her gut.

Ever since she’d been old enough to know things, her mother had been at odds with Amelia. Add to that the fact that her father was too much of a good son to disobey her grandmother, her mother Zoe hadn’t really celebrated her birthday every year.

So what was it with this year?

Rita’s brow knotted, and her voice cooled. “It’s Grandma’s idea to celebrate Mom’s birthday, right?”

“…” On the other end of the line, Noah lapsed into silence.

Even though he hadn’t answered, Rita understood that she’d guessed things correctly.

Seems like Amelia still wasn’t giving up over Charlotte.

Considering that she might refuse to meet, the old woman was probably thinking of using her mother’s birthday as an excuse to lure her up.

She had to say that Amelia’s plan was clever.

But because of the lengths Amelia was going to for Charlotte, Rita felt a chill run down her spine, and the sense that maybe it really was as Michael said – she wasn’t part of the Brown bloodline.

Otherwise, why would two granddaughters be treated so differently?

“If you’re not free tonight, Rita, then don’t come over. I’ll deal with your grandmother.” Noah smiled and took on all the responsibility himself, wanting to save Rita the trouble.

“I’m free.”

Unexpectedly, Rita agreed readily.

Noah blinked, confused.

Rita agreed?!

the past, he’d expected Rita to outright

But she’d agreed.

surprise. His gaze swept over the woman in his arms. Was there some reason she

a few seconds before recovering his wits, overjoyed. “Since… since you’re free,

“Sure.”

the call, Rita’s mood plummeted, and

speak. Sensibly, Liam stood behind her without a making a

passed, and Rita forgot

wits and turned around and rammed headfirst into

steadied her instinctively, the heartache and worry in his eyes almost

his love and care, Rita’s own eyes grew rimmed with red, no longer capable of suppressing the bitterness and resentment she’d been keeping down for so long. “Charlotte broke my legs, almost got Dad and Grandma killed in a car accident, so why… why is Grandma still so protective of her, going so far as to beg me on her knees to let it go? Am I just too bad of a person, bad enough for Grandma to favor Charlotte over me? Do I not matter to her? Is it just that I…

else, but the

at her cheeks drop by drop, then wrapped her in his arms, his voice slow and firm. “None of that. My Rita is great, perfect, perfect all around! Whoever doesn’t like you is

warmed, as if a soothing current had washed past. Her bitterness, arising from the favoritism

the man standing

the soppy lines he

honest, but all the more moving for

mood improve, Liam

afraid I’ll get bullied?” She wasn’t the soft target from before. They’d see who

“No.”

man denied, and Rita jolted again. “Then

there to support my wife.” And to clear off the scales

my own, it’s peanuts. No need for you to get

of the goodness of his heart,

refusal, Liam followed her to the Brown household all the same

Outside the Brown mansion.

Liam bent his elbow,

at the man’s arm and licked her lips. “Are you really coming in with