Chapter 8\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 8\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just as Sienna finished changing and stepped outside, Michelle\u2019s call came through.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWell?\u201d Michelle\u2019s voice buzzed with excitement. \u201cDid he blow up and then spank you?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna facepalmed herself, then calmly spouted nonsense. \u201cNope. He barely said one sentence before I scolded the shit out of him. Then, he repented on the spot, dropped to his knees, and begged for forgiveness. I slapped him coolly and walked away very decisively.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Michelle laughed so hard she nearly lost it. \u201cKeep making things up. You can\u2019t fool anyone. As if that iceberg would cower to you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna remained indifferent. \u201cIt\u2019s true. I would never lie.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just as her words fell, a sharp car horn blared. Clayton sat in the driver\u2019s seat, clearly running out of patience. He yelled, \u201d Stop dawdling! At this rate, the car is going to run out of gas.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna immediately responded, \u201cComing!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then, she said into the phone, \u201cThe driver is rushing me. I have to go.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Michelle was speechless. Since when did drivers dare rush their bosses?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna walked over to the car, her gaze landing on the very obvious dent in the hood.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She was slightly shaken at the sight. Was she out of her mind the night before? Why was she so impulsive?\u00a0<\/p>\n
If she\u2019d hit Clayton, the Hales would never have let her off. If she\u2019d hit Melody, Clayton would never have let her off. If she\u2019d hit a passerby, she wouldn\u2019t let herself off.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thankfully, she\u2019d only hit the hood. Sienna let out a breath of relief. \u201cDidn\u2019t you say you were getting it repaired? Why are you still driving it? Did you go bankrupt and have no other cars to drive?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Clayton smirked lazily. \u201cI\u2019m preserving the evidence of someone\u2019s crime. If anyone asks, I\u2019ll tell them you did it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you skip preschool as a kid? That\u2019s childish.\u201d Sienna rolled her eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She opened the back door and got in, even patting the back of his seat as she said, \u201cLet\u2019s go, sir.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Clayton snapped his head back. \u201cYou really think I\u2019m your driver?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d Sienna shrugged. \u201cThere are only two people here. If you\u2019re not the driver, am I?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Clayton\u2019s brows furrowed. \u201cDo you have to be so difficult?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even though Sienna had blacked out the night before, after seeing the footage, fragments of her memory rushed back. She remembered why she had snapped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not only had Melody sat there in that front passenger seat, but her husband had attentively opened the door for her. The scene appalled her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna suddenly leaned forward and sniffed the air seriously. \u201cSomething stinks in front. I don\u2019t want to smell it. I\u2019m not being difficult-I\u2019m just thinking of my comfort.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Clayton took her words as an insult. He refused to start the car, clearly ready to argue with her. After a moment, Sienna reached for the door handle. \u201cFine. I\u2019ll take a cab. Let\u2019s see who gets there first.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
As soon as her fingers touched the handle, Clayton hit the gas. \u201cSit still.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The char shot forward like an arrow. Sienna\u2019s head slammed into the back of the seat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 8\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSlow down! If you want to die, don\u2019t drag me down with you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Clayton glanced at her in the rearview mirror, utterly calm. \u201cThere are only two of us here. If I don\u2019t drag you down with me, who else will I do it to?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna was about to snap back when his phone rang. He put the call on speaker, and Miles\u2019 jolly voice came through.\u201d Clayton, drinks tonight? Hayden\u2019s back from his trip. How about calling Melody and having a party?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t. I have a family dinner tonight,\u201d Clayton refused flatly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He then added, \u201cKeep an eye on Melody. Don\u2019t let her drink too much.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Miles laughed. \u201cDon\u2019t worry. You can count on me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
As she listened to their conversation, Sienna found it baffling. These people were all obsessed with Melody-especially Miles, that simp. He was always at odds with her, but when it came to Melody, he bent over backward to protect her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna was curious just what kind of spell Melody had cast on them. Was it black magic?\u00a0<\/p>\n
An hour later, the car pulled into a hillside residence as dusk and fog settled in. The old locust tree in the yard rustled in the evening breeze, and the lake reflected the final streaks of sunset.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The moment Sienna stepped out, a loud shout echoed. \u201cEnna!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rupert stood by the lake with his walking stick. A fat seabass thrashed in the bucket at his feet, and he waved proudly.\u201d Perfect timing! Look at this beauty I just caught. I\u2019ll make you the most delicious grilled fish.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna ran over, peeked into the bucket, and teased, \u201cAre you sure you didn\u2019t buy that at the market?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSilly! Why can\u2019t you humor me?\u201d Rupert tapped her forehead lightly. \u201cI spent all afternoon fishing. Would it kill you to praise me for once?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Clayton strolled over to Sienna\u2019s side and remarked nonchalantly, \u201cShowing off your age? How shameless.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBrat!\u201d Rupert swung his walking stick at Clayton\u2019s leg. \u201cWatch your mouth!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Clayton dodged easily, grinning. \u201cI meant you\u2019re still strong for your age.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rupert ignored him and shoved the bucket to the butler, Alfred Swanson. He hooked an arm through Sienna\u2019s as they headed inside, complaining nonstop. \u201cLast time I went fishing with Donald, he dumped my fish into his own bucket the second I turned around. Can you believe that old bastard\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna listened quietly, chiming in occasionally. \u201cYou teased him for coming up empty-handed first, didn\u2019t you?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, it\u2019s his own fault that he can\u2019t fish! If he can\u2019t catch anything, all he can do is envy me,\u201d Rupert said with a smile.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Clayton trailed behind them. He was used to feeling like an outsider around them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once inside, Rupert went upstairs to change.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Clayton\u2019s parents sat in the living room. Clifford Hale, his father, was reading the paper through his glasses.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Irene fussed with a tea set, the diamond bracelet on her wrist chiming softly with her movements.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The two were aloof and distant. Their marriage was arranged, so their relationship lacked depth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
To Sienna, Clifford felt like a strict school principal. He was authoritative, quiet, and rarely around.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Irene was more like a homeroom teacher-always lecturing, talkative, hands-on, and always dragging her to social gatherings.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMom. Dad,\u201d Sienna greeted them politely, a little intimidated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Clifford hummed in acknowledgment, while Irene glanced up and said, \u201cYou look terrible. Didn\u2019t sleep well last night?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
X CLOSE\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 8\u00a0<\/p>\n
3\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna sat down on the opposite couch, answering guiltily, \u201cNot really.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Clayton shot her a warning look, as if asking, \u201cAre you sure?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hadn\u2019t she slept like a rock the night before?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seeing Clayton\u2019s arrival, Clifford finally put down the paper and began discussing business with him. The father and son slipped easily into work mode, exchanging a bunch of terms Sienna couldn\u2019t understand.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Irene started gently nagging about art exhibitions, high tea, and other topics. This was a typical scene in the Hale residence.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then, Irene took a sip of tea and said, \u201cClay told you, right? Tomorrow is the 80th birthday party for Miles\u2019 grandfather. You two will attend on behalf of the Hales. I\u2019ve already prepared the gift. You just need to bring it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna froze. That bastard Clayton hadn\u2019t mentioned this at all!\u00a0<\/p>\n
She had planned to bring up the divorce with Rupert that day. Why would she go to some birthday party? And at Miles\u2019 place, no less. He\u2019d definitely take the chance to make things hard for her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But the divorce wasn\u2019t finalized yet, and she couldn\u2019t exactly refuse Irene outright. So, she agreed on the surface, then made an excuse and headed toward the kitchen to find something to eat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her stomach was growling. One bowl of soup clearly wasn\u2019t enough. She was so hungry she could eat a whole cow.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The kitchen staff were all prepping in the front hall. Sienna walked into the kitchen and scanned the room. Finally, her eyes landed on a bowl of freshly washed strawberries.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She had just popped three strawberries into her mouth when a cool, teasing voice sounded from behind. \u201cWhere did this little hamster come from?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
She got the divorce and bolted 8 Chapter 8\u00a0 1\/3\u00a0 Chapter 8\u00a0 Just as Sienna finished changing and stepped outside, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20082","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-she-got-the-divorce-and-bolted-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20082","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20082"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20082\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20082"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20082"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20082"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}