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.”
a spoonful of sauce to taste it.
leave for New York in
free arm
sweetheart. But you’re strong.”
“Thank you,” I whispered.
was warm–literal and emotional. We
funny stories about my
half–remembered college adventures
first dreamt of motherhood. My worry melted
anecdote.
sipped water thoughtfully. “Are you
Liv?”
is small to me now. I’ve lost
but I’m not
“The world
you stand steady.”
lunch, sunlight streamed through the
last time–news still
something: people were
drawn. And now, the other party had more
phone buzzed. It was Lily–my former subordinate.
porch, something
voice loaded. “I’ve
“What’s that?”
Hawthrone’s loan–Eclipse Bank just
phase. All funds blocked.”
sank.
it. He said
project. Told Windsor he
refused to marry Chole.”
eyes. So even he…
arguing with Windsor now?”
is
pressure, accusations. It’s
a dispute between the Windsor family and
learned that the loan had
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