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

But she’d agreed.

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

“Since…

“Sure.”

the call, Rita’s mood plummeted, and

Liam stood behind her without

passed, and Rita forgot he was

and turned around

instinctively, the heartache and worry in his eyes almost spilling out.

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

something else, but

drop by drop, then wrapped her in his arms, his voice slow and firm.

current had washed past. Her bitterness, arising from the favoritism Amelia displayed towards

man standing above her, her teary eyes

said the soppy lines he wasn’t much good at

was raw and honest, but all the more moving

her mood improve,

jolted, then giggled, “What, are you afraid I’ll get bullied?” She wasn’t the

“No.”

Rita jolted

And to clear off the scales from Amelia’s

it’s peanuts. No need

it out of the goodness of his heart, Rita still

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

Outside the Brown mansion.

his elbow, meaning for her

glanced at the man’s arm and licked her lips.