Chapter 7
Cassidy was one of those who acted tough at home but wilted in front of the real deal. She could readily spew “that bastard Harley,” but the moment she faced him, she became a coward.
“Umm, Linda is calling me, you guys go ahead with your chat.” With that, she left, leaving Lenora alone with Harley, whose face was dark with suppressed anger.
Having distanced herself from the scene, Cassidy couldn’t resist her curiosity and glanced back, only to see Harley’s dark face. For once, she felt a rare pang of guilt for abandoning Lenora. ‘Oh my, Harley wouldn’t actually hit a woman, would he?‘ she wondered.
Lenora looked at Harley in front of her. “Sure.” With a smirk, she followed him out of Night’s Dance and arrived at a streetlight on the roadside.
Just off the stage, Lenora’s hair was a bit disheveled, her cheeks slightly flushed, and her big eyes now sparkled with a hint of mischief as she gazed at him.
Under the dim streetlight, Harley realized that today’s Lenora inexplicably exuded a kind of bold confidence she hadn’t shown before.
Married for three years, he had rarely paid attention to her. To a gold–digger who couldn’t see her place and indulged in delusions, Harley felt that even a glance at her was a waste of his time. But occasionally, when he returned to the Brandt family, her fleeting glances were always gentle and yielding.
Now, she looked at him with careless abandon, those tender eyes filled with light, bright and captivating, yet with a hint of coldness. “What does Mr. Brandt have to say?” |
Harley felt even more irritated, his words harsh and cutting. “Since we’re already divorced, we have no connection. Whether you’re with anyone, I, as your ex–husband, have no right to interfere. But we only got divorced this morning, and while you may not care about your reputation, I don’t want to be unjustly labeled as a cuckold.”
Lenora was once again drenched in a cold wave of disappointment. With a faint smile, she brushed a strand of hair from her cheek and said, “But if someone insists on pursuing me, there’s not much I can do about it, right?”
She chuckled lightly before continuing, “If that is what you’re worried about, well, I’ve been your wife for three years, dutifully serving your parents and managing the household. Instead of worrying about others thinking I’m unfaithful to you, you should be more concerned about how you will find a suitable match from a respected family after your family’s mistreatment of their daughter–in–law gets out.”
After three years of prime time wasted, Lenora didn’t want to waste even a second more on Harley now.
“Matthew should have delivered the message. Since we’re divorced, we have nothing to do with each other now.”
Lenora glanced at him, her lips curling slightly as if mocking herself, or him.
She walked back into Night’s Dance while Harley stood under the streetlamp, his face dark and terrifying.
Watching Lenora leave, he furrowed his brow slightly, struggling to suppress the rage within him.
‘It was clearly her fault for recklessly barging in, yet now she pretended to be wronged and pitiful. Harley found it laughable, and himself too. ‘Isn’t it better for me to sleep at home? Why come here to make myself humiliated? I must be out of my mind.‘
The phone in his pocket vibrated, Harley narrowed his eyes, reaching into his pocket to take out the phone. His dark eyes flickered when he saw the caller ID. “What is it?”
“Harley, I rear–ended someone, and they’re really angry. Can you come over? I’m scared!” The voice on the phone trembled
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Chapter 7
slightly as if about to break–into tears at any moment.
Harley’s face remained cold. “I’ll have Matthew come over.
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“That will do, but my brother gave me that person’s information today. If it’s convenient for you, can you come over too? I’ll give you the information.”
Harley glanced at the neon sign of Night’s Dance, falling silent for a moment before asking, “Where are you?”
“At the intersection of Knoll Avenue.”
“Okay.” After hanging up the phone, Harley didn’t get into the car immediately.
He re–entered Night’s Dance, and when Deyon and Orlando saw him, they were both a bit surprised, teasing, “Harley, why are you back?”
“Where’s Lenora?” Harley coldly glanced at them.
“She left, with a real hottie.” Orlando awkwardly rubbed his nose
As soon as Orlando finished, Harley’s expression darkened even more. Without a word, he turned and left Night’s Dance.
Devon sighed softly as he watched Harley leave. “Isn’t it over already? How come he’s still so nosy about her?
“Some kind of possessive male ego?” Orlando shrugged.
“Who knows.” Devon replied, complaining inwardly, ‘They’re divorced. What right does Harley have to comment on her now?‘
*****
Lenora was massaging her temples inside the black business car while Cassidy handed her two cocktails.
Absentminded, she gulped them both, now feeling the alcohol kick in.
In the back seat, Cassidy was pinned down by Dashnell like a chicken, not daring to struggle.
The carriage was quiet, with the lights outside the windows casting faint shadows. Lenora thought about Harley’s words from over ten minutes ago, feeling a sharp pain in her heart as if someone had driven a thorn into it.
‘So he was afraid I might cheat on him, huh? I thought he didn’t care about anything,’ she murmured inwardly.
The business car first stopped in front of Lenora’s villa. Dashnell offered to walk her in, but Lenora waved him off, saying, “Forget it. You should keep an eye on your Cassidy.”
Dashnell chuckled. “Would she dare to run wild If you didn’t allow her?”
Lenora gave him an annoyed look. “Alright, just get out of my sight. I got divorced today, and seeing couples makes me irritable.”
“We’ll get out of your sight right now,” Dashnell teased.
The bond between the three, spanning over two decades, was far beyond the mere “friendship” to encapsulate their deep emotional connection.
Having known each other for so long, Cassidy and Dashnell understood Lenora, who didn’t like being pitied or sympathized with; a divorce was just something that would pass in a few days.
Once inside the villa, Lenora made herself a cup of honey water. As soon as she sat on the sofa, her eyes were glued to the
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cup on the table. Soon, tears flowed out.
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It was impossible not to feel upset. She had been a golden child since she was young, always the top in looks and studies. Even with an average family background, she remained the center of attention throughout her growth.
Without Harley, she might have been shining and thriving in her beloved field, like Cassidy and Dashnell.
But there were no ifs in this world. At fifteen, Harley saved her, and she thought it was salvation, only to find it was another abyss. Now that she had finally crawled out, she wouldn’t let herself fall back in again.
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Chapter 8
