Chapter 76

As Mom diced garlic with practiced ease, Grandma hummed a tune I recognized from my childhood. It was the same lullaby she used to sing when I scraped my knee after falling off my

bike.

I squeezed my chest. “Remember when I insisted I could ride

without training wheels?”

Grandma chuckled. “And promptly crashed into that hydrangea

bush.”

Mom laughed–first genuine laughter I’d heard in days. “You

came inside, shrub in hand.”

We set the pot on the burner, the spicy aroma filling the

kitchen. The chemistry between us felt different–like we’d all

stepped back into a version of home I hadn’t realized I missed.

Over the simmering sauce, I took a steadying breath. “So… I need

to tell you both something.”


Grandma glanced at me, eyebrows knitting. Mom stopped

stirring pasta water.

“I’ve decided to finalize the divorce,” I said firmly, though my

heart fluttered. “I want it. I’m done with the Hawthrone drama.”

Mom set down her spoon, reaching out to grasp my hand. “You’re doing what’s best for you, Liv.”

Grandma, stirring sauce, murmured, “Best for your head and

heart.”

to taste it.

for

arm around

sweetheart. But you’re strong.”

“Thank you,” I whispered.

warm–literal and emotional. We


stories about my

Mom’s half–remembered

dreamt of motherhood. My worry melted

anecdote.

sipped water thoughtfully. “Are

Liv?”

me now. I’ve lost more

but I’m not losing

in agreement. “The world may shake,

you stand steady.”

streamed through

one last time–news still roiled online, but

something: people were polarizing, but


the other

It was Lily–my former

the porch, something

whispered, voice loaded.

“What’s that?”

loan–Eclipse Bank just froze the

phase. All funds blocked.”

heart sank. “Blocked?

He said the negative publicity

the project. Told Windsor he loved

refused to marry Chole.”

even he… My chest tightened. “Lily,

arguing with Windsor now?”


plan is unraveling. They’re

accusations. It’s

between the Windsor family and

learned that

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255