Chapter 1
“Hey, Lenora, trying to make a grand escape?” Lenora Maynard had just hit the second floor landing, suitcase in tow, when Carla Brandt’s voice, dripping with intrigue, called out to her.
Lenora barely gave her a glance. With a quick, amused look, she kept moving down the stairs with her luggage in hand.
As fate would have it, the moment she hit the ground floor, she can into Gwen Woodward, her mother–in–law. Gwen always had this way of looking down her nose at Lenora, and today was no exception.
She eyed Lenora and her suitcase with a mix of surprise and disapproval. “Where are you off to with that suitcase at the crack of dawn?”
After three years of the classic mother–in–law and daughter–in–law dance, Lenora knew all too well that Gwen’s attitude was just the calm before the storm.
Back in the day, she would have bent over backward to smooth things over and keep the peace, but those days were long gone. She was over Harley Brandt, and dealing with Gwen’s temper tantrums was the last thing on her to–do list.
“Anywhere’s better than here, Mrs. Brandt. And just so we’re clear, I’m not planning on making a comeback. Gone was the meek and mild Lenora, replaced by someone who spoke her mind, albeit calmly.
Her words might have been plain, but her eyes told a whole different story–there wasn’t a hint of the usual deference. That shift threw Gwen for a loop. “Lenora, since when do you talk back to your elders?”
Well, I guess I’m just treating you the way you’ve always treated me.” Lenora’s reply came with a raised eyebrow and a cool, almost haughty smile that sent Gwen’s temper through the roof.
“Do you even see me as your mother–in–law anymore?”
At that, Lenora just looked at Gwen, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips. “Sorry to break it to you, but you won’t be pretty soon.”
Right on cue, a car horn sounded from outside, signaling Lenora’s ride was waiting.
“I’m out of here, Mrs. Brandt. Whatever I’ve left behind? Consider it junk. Feel free to toss it, or hey, make a bonfire. Just do me a favor–don’t call me.”
Dragging her suitcase behind her and practically spitting the words as she stormed out, Lenora said, “You Brandt family are just disgusting.”
Gwen was still trying to wrap her head around Lenora’s previous bombshell when Lenora dropped this new line. “Lenora, have you lost your mind? I’m telling Harley about this!” she snapped.
Then Carla popped up, amusement clear in her voice. “Mum, did you catch Lenora’s exit scene? It’s comedy gold. Early morning suitcase drama. She didn’t just strut past me hoping I’d beg her to stay, did she?”
Spotting Gwen frozen in place, Carla couldn’t resist tugging at her sleeve, “Mum, you okay?”
Gwen had a lot on her mind. Normally, Lenora would tread carefully whenever Harley was mentioned. Buptoday, she walked off without so much as a backward glance.
Stepping outside, Gwen noticed the sports car was already gone, leaving nothing but its shadow behind.
*
“She’s really gone, huh?” Carla came out, less concerned. “Well, if she’s gone, she’s gone. Katelyn’s back anyway, and if Lenora didn’t make her exit now, Harley would show her the door anyway!”
Gwen figured with Katelyn, the Sheppard family’s youngest, back in the picture, it might actually be a smart move for
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Chapter 1
Lenora to push for a divorce
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Lenora was chilling in her Porsche, going through her divorce papers. After checking out the terms, she signed off on them, pretty pleased with how things turned out.
Cassidy Richmond, cruising by her side, caught the moment and couldn’t help but comment, “That’s it? It’s really over?”
Lenora put the cap back on her pen and shot back, “Or what?” I was not like she still stood a chance when Katelyn Sheppard was back.
Three years was long enough to warm up even the frostiest heart. But she knew Harley’s heart’was off–limits. It had always belonged to his childhood sweetheart, Katelyn.
Lenora admitted she went out on a limb by asking him to marry her as a payback. She snagged the title of Mrs. Brandt for three years, and now that Katelyn was back in the picture, stepping aside felt like the only move. Honestly, she kind of had to, considering Harley had been keeping her at arm’s length for Katelyn all this time.
She and Harley were hitched for three years without spending one night together. It was lucky that their little arrangement didn’t become the talk of the town.
Otherwise, the same folks who had been giving her side–eye for climbing the social ladder would’ve had a field day.
Three years to cap off her seven–year–long hopeless crush seemed fair. She covered her eyes with her hand, trying to keep Cassidy from seeing her tears.
Lenora was usually carefree, but crashing and burning after a decade of being head over heels was enough to break anyone.
The red sports car halted, and Cassidy slid her sunglasses up, grinning. “We’ve arrived, Nora. You go, girl! I’ll always have your back!”
After saying that, Cassidy sent Lenora a playful air kiss.
Lenora simply smiled in response and said, “Alright, it’s battle time for me.” The true challenge was figuring out how to toss those divorce papers at Harley with just the right mix of authority and subtlety.
Lenora grabbed the agreement and swung the car door open, stepping out. Married to Harley for three years now, she was no stranger to the routine at Telford Enterprise. And just like clockwork, she got the usual lukewarm welcome from the receptionist. “Ms. Maynard, you can’t just head up without an appointment. Mr. Brandt’s slammed. I mean, what’s the point of having a receptionist if everyone just barges in?”
Dealing with a snarky receptionist was becoming a bit of a joke. After three years without being recognized as Mrs. Brandt, it was clear Harley wasn’t exactly rushing to correct anyone.
With a slight frown and a chuckle, Lenora shot back, “Wow, Telford Enterprise could really step up its game in training its staff. Being Harley’s wife and still needing an appointment to see him? Guess being Mrs. Brandt isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”
With that, she gave the receptionist a frosty glance, clicked her heels, and made a beeline for the elevator.
The receptionist, thrown off by Lenora’s boldness for the first time, could only snort in response. But deep down, she was worried about the repercussions and quickly made another call to report the incident.
Before Lenora even walked through the door, Harley already knew she was on her way to find him.
He frowned. “I’ve got no time for her.” He had a meeting in five. The secretary, Matthew Finley, nodded and stepped out of Harley’s office as he caught sight of Lenora breezing in.
Lenora was rocking an A–line floral skirt – she looked effortlessly chic and poised. Yet, somehow, Matthew couldn’t shake off the feeling that there was something different about Lenora today.
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Chapter 1
“Mathew,” Lenora called out, initiating the greeting. Without waiting for a reply, she confidently pushed open the door to Harley’s office. “Excuse me, Mr. Brandt, there’s a bit of paperwork I need your signature on.”
She coolly addressed Harley behind the desk and, without missing a beat, slid a divorce agreement towards him. “Please, sign this.”
SEND GIFT
