She got the divorce and bolted 9
Chapter 9
Clayton leaned lazily against the doorframe. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, exposing his lean, well-defined
forearms.
Sienna glanced back at him, cheeks puffed out as she chewed. She looked just like a hamster hoarding food.
Clayton strolled over and poked her puffy cheek with a fingertip. “Are you starving to death? You’re inhaling food like you haven’t eaten in years.”
Sienna ignored him. Her eyes drifted to a glass bottle in the cabinet. It contained amber liquid, and the bottle was marked with the date it had been sealed.
“So, this is Grandpa’s treasured herbal-infused whiskey,” she said curiously, lifting it to inspect. “Don’t tell me he saved this just for you?”
“Careful. Grandpa treasures that thing more than his own grandson,” Clayton warned kindly.
Sienna scoffed and twisted the cap open. A sharp, medicinal smell hit her nose, making her frown. “This smells strong.”
Clayton suddenly leaned in close and blew a breath near her ear. “The stronger the smell, the better the aphrodisiac effect.”
Startled, Sienna’s hand jerked. The bottle slipped from her grasp and shattered on the floor. Amber liquid mixed with glass shards was scattered across the ground.
Outside, Rupert yelled, “What broke?”
Clayton raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms, clearly enjoying the show. Sienna stood frozen, with her mouth hanging open. She felt her brain completely shut down.
“Enna, are you in the kitchen? Are you hurt?”
Rupert hurried in with his walking stick, while Clifford and Irene followed closely behind.
Sienna’s survival instincts kicked in, and she instantly pointed at Clayton.
“Clayton, how can you be so careless? Even if you’re desperate, you can’t steal Grandpa’s precious herbal-infused whiskey! I told you not to touch it, but you just wouldn’t listen.”
She even put on a heartbroken expression. “Now it’s broken. Are you happy?”
Clayton was dumbfounded.
Rupert clutched his chest and jabbed his walking stick at Clayton’s foot. “You wasteful brat! You just had to touch my things, did you? My precious herbal-infused whiskey had been aging for ten years, and now it’s all gone.
“If you wanted to drink it, you could’ve just asked. Do you think I’m that stingy that you had to steal from me?”
Just as Clayton opened his mouth to explain, Sienna discreetly pinched the back of his hand and cut in smoothly. “Grandpa, don’t be mad at him. He’s been a little weak lately. He wanted to replenish himself but was too embarrassed to tell you.”
The kitchen fell into dead silence. Three pairs of eyes snapped toward Clayton-especially Rupert, whose gaze slowly slid downward. He bent two fingers in a drooping motion. “Are you that useless? That’s not a family trait. Your dad and I never had that problem. How did you end up like this…”
After a pause, he added, “It’s fine. I’ll have Dr. Yates write you a prescription. You’ll bounce back in no time. I heard Miles’ mom got him one too, and it worked wonders. You two really are birds of a feather.”
Clayton frowned. Sienna immediately chimed in, gesturing at his face. “He really does need to take something. Look at him. Short-tempered and dark circles-he’s clearly overworked.”
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Chapter 9
2/3
“That’s enough.” Irene signaled the maids to clean up. “Let’s get out of the kitchen.”
As everyone dispersed, Sienna shoved Clayton along, keeping a close eye on his mouth.
“I think I need to get my back checked,” Clayton muttered suddenly.
“It’s that bad?” Sienna’s eyes widened. “There’s even something wrong with your back?”
Clayton slapped her hand away and shot her a look. “Seems like you know best what’s wrong with me. I just took a massive blame for you. My back can’t take the pressure.”
Sienna refused to take responsibility. If he hadn’t scared her, the bottle wouldn’t have shattered. If it weren’t his fault, who else could it have been?
By dinner time, the dining table was filled with fragrant dishes. Rupert kept piling food onto Sienna’s plate.
“Eat more, Enna. You’re thinner than a stick. People would think Clayton’s mistreating you.”
Staring at the mountain of grilled seabass, barbecue ribs, and crab cakes on her plate, Sienna laughed. “Grandpa, that’s enough. There’s so much good food and not enough space on my plate. I don’t know where to begin. Even if I had the stomach of a bodybuilder, I couldn’t finish all this.”
Rupert beamed, then suddenly said, “When you two have kids, they’d better be lively and smart like you. If they’re like Clayton, that won’t do.”
Then, as if remembering something, he sighed. “If that child were still here, they’d be running around by now.”
Sienna’s spoon paused. She lowered her head, saying nothing. Why did the conversation suddenly turn to children?
Clayton stepped in. “Grandpa, we’re not ready for kids yet. We’ll talk about it next time.”
Clifford added, “Yeah. Clayton is still young. He just took over the company. There’s no rush for children.”
“I just don’t know if these old bones of mine will live long enough to see a great-grandchild.” Rupert sighed heavily.
Irene comforted him, “Dad, your health is fine. Don’t worry so much. Children will come in time.”
The atmosphere turned heavy. No matter how good Sienna was at lightening the mood, she couldn’t promise something she and Clayton would never have. They were getting divorced, after all. But she didn’t have the courage to bring that up.
If she took the annoying Clayton out of the picture, the Hale family was genuinely a good family to marry into. They treated her well, better than her own family ever had. There were no punishments, no favoritism, no sharp words or hidden scheming-just simple kindness.
She never had to worry about food, clothes, or daily expenses. Every so often, there was even a seven-figure allowance. When she went out, she carried herself with dignity.
But all of this existed only because she was Clayton’s wife. And with all dreams, it always had to end with waking up.
Lost in thought, she shoveled food absentmindedly into her mouth.
Spice from the fish got caught in Sienna’s throat, causing it to itch uncomfortably. She coughed violently. Her face turned red, and tears pooled in her eyes as she jumped up for water.
Clayton grabbed her immediately. “Did you choke on a bone? Open your mouth. Let me see.”
Sienna couldn’t speak, trying to rush to the kitchen, but he pulled her back. “Stop running around! Are you trying to die?”
After finally struggling free, Sienna downed a full glass of ice water. The burning in her throat finally eased.
“You choked on a fish bone?” Clayton asked.
“I choked on a chili pepper!” Sienna snapped. “I would’ve been fine if you hadn’t stopped me.”
X CLOSE
Chapter 9
3/3
A housekeeper rushed over nervously. “You scared me! We clearly removed all the bones.”
Clayton smirked. “Removing the bones doesn’t matter when someone is foolish enough to choke on spice.”
“I wasn’t paying attention! It’s none of your business.” Sienna shot him a glare and stormed off.
After dinner, Clayton, Clifford, and Rupert talked in the study for hours, while Sienna wandered around the residence alone.
In the yard stood an old locust tree-cool in summer and warm in winter- that was filled with her memories. Suddenly remembering something, Sienna crouched by its tangled roots and began digging into the soft earth.
“First a hamster, now a mole?” Clayton’s voice sounded from behind.
Startled, Sienna’s hand jerked, and dirt fell back into the hole she had just dug. She clapped her hands clean and stood up.
“I saw a worm earlier and wanted to squash it, but it escaped underground. So I wanted to destroy its home.”
Clayton raised a brow, sensing she was implying something in her words.
“Are you done talking? Is Grandpa still in the study?” Sienna asked as she headed inside.
“He just took his meds and fell asleep.” Clayton grabbed her wrist. “Are you going to wake him up to talk about divorce?”
Sienna shook him off, replying calmly, “I know how to own up to my part.”
“And what is your part? Tell me,” Clayton asked, amused.
Sienna snapped back, raising her voice, “At least I’m owning up, unlike you.”
“What are you two arguing about?” Irene heard their chatter and came out.
Clayton reacted instantly, interlacing his fingers with Sienna’s. “We were just deciding who would shower first. We worked it out.”
As he spoke, he half-dragged her upstairs. “We’re heading up now.”
Irene watched their close figures and nodded. “Get some rest.”
Sienna went along with Clayton, playing the part of a loving couple. The divorce still hadn’t been discussed, and she didn’t want to stir up more trouble. If Irene found out, she’d never hear the end of it.
Inside the bedroom, she yanked her hand free.
“I’m showering first,” she announced as she headed straight toward the walk-in closet.
She reached for her pajamas when an arm suddenly wrapped around her waist and pulled her back. His chest pressed to her back, and his warm breath brushed her ear. “Let’s shower together?”
“In your dreams!” She elbowed him, but he easily restrained her.
Clayton laughed, his chest vibrating. “It’s not like we haven’t done it before.”
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