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?!

everything that Charlotte had done in the

But she’d agreed.

Even Liam’s black pupils registered surprise. His gaze swept over the woman in his arms. Was there some reason she was showing up knowing full well what Amelia was

“Since…

“Sure.”

Rita’s mood plummeted, and the smile

stood behind her without

passed, and Rita forgot

gathered her wits and turned around and rammed headfirst into his

worry in his eyes almost spilling out. “Does it

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

but the

at her cheeks drop by drop, then wrapped her in his arms, his voice slow and

he was being, Rita’s heart warmed, as if a soothing current had washed past. Her bitterness, arising

head at the man standing above

the soppy lines he

honest, but all the

home with you tonight.” Seeing her mood improve, Liam loosened his hug and went

you afraid I’ll get bullied?” She wasn’t the soft target from before.

“No.”

denied, and Rita jolted

my wife.” And to

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

knew he meant it out of the

her to the Brown household all the same that

Outside the Brown mansion.

go.” Liam bent his elbow, meaning for

licked her lips. “Are you