\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 11\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 11\u00a0<\/p>\n
The phone rang for a while. Clayton stood on the balcony, smoking. He was seemingly oblivious to the sound, allowing the red ember of his cigarette to continue flickering between his fingers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna stared at Melody\u2019s name flashing on the screen, not moving an inch.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She thought about answering it. Without a doubt, Melody would put on her sweet voice, asking for Clayton, then mock her. She would snap back at Melody, and Clayton would immediately snatch the phone away and scold her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She also considered hanging up the phone, but if Melody complained about it, he would still end up yelling at her anyway.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Either way, she\u2019d still end up being the one getting scolded, so she figured it was better to do nothing at all.\u00a0<\/p>\n
By the sixth ring, Clayton-who, despite his young age, was apparently half-deaf-finally reacted to his ringtone, and quickly strode back into the bedroom.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He picked up his phone and pressed it against his ear. Melody\u2019s soft, coquettish voice carried through.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, Clay. I think I drank too much. Can you come pick me up?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Clayton frowned.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere\u2019s Miles? He\u2019s\u2014\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He spoke as he walked out with his phone in hand. Sienna tried to catch the rest of his sentence, but only to hear his voice suddenly turn low.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWait there and don\u2019t move. I\u2019m coming over now.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He hung up and went straight to the walk-in closet, rustling through his shirts and trousers. Two minutes later, he grabbed his car keys and headed downstairs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Like a gust of wind, he left nothing behind, not even glancing at Sienna once from start to end.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She walked out barefoot to the balcony, watching him speed away in his car. She let out a soft chuckle.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Suddenly, she felt relieved that she didn\u2019t lose control earlier.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If the call had happened when both of them were caught up in the moment, it would have been unbearably humiliating for\u00a0<\/p>\n
her to be abandoned like that.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cStop being stupid, Sienna,\u201d she reminded herself again and again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Clayton didn\u2019t come home that night. Next to her on the bed was an empty space.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna, on the other hand, slept soundly until past ten and stretched out lazily.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Out of habit, she checked her phone as soon as she woke.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A text from an unknown number was sent last night at 11:52 pm.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was a photo taken from behind. Even without looking at the face, Sienna instantly recognized it was Clayton.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With his tall and buff physique, he stood in a cramped kitchen with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He lowered his head as he stirred something in a pot, cooking who knew what.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Along with the photo were a few attached messages.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, Sienna! Clay is making chicken soup to help with my hangover.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe looks so sexy when he\u2019s cooking, so I secretly snapped a picture just to tease you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery time I drink too much, he always takes care of me like this.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 11\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no way you haven\u2019t tried his soup before, right?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The last message was like a needle stabbing straight into Sienna\u2019s heart, exposing the lies she had been telling herself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She once had a fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit, and her mind was a mess, so she coyly asked Clayton to cook something for her to eat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He simply ended up instructing Edna to do it instead. \u201cCook some soup.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Asking him to cook seemed impossible. Sienna convinced herself that Clayton just wasn\u2019t a romantic person and that he wasn\u2019t good at these things.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It turned out it wasn\u2019t the fact that he couldn\u2019t. It was only because that person wasn\u2019t Sienna herself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This was the difference between love and indifference.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seeing all this first thing in the morning had put Sienna in a foul mood.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She wanted to block the number, but in the end, she didn\u2019t. In fact, she wanted to see how smug Melody could be.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna saw Irene sitting alone in the dining room when she went downstairs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Irene was eating her oatmeal in a graceful manner. \u201cWhere\u2019s Clay?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMiles needed to see him last night. He hasn\u2019t been back since then.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna sat down in front of the dining table. She chose to cover for Clayton, not saying a word about Melody.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even though the Hale family had never been fond of Melody, with Clayton\u2019s persistence, they might eventually soften up.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If she snitched now, it would only worsen their conflicts and leave her offending everyone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The silver spoon clinked sharply against the bowl as Irene frowned deeply.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you stop him? Going out again with Miles in the middle of the night? He\u2019s married and yet so unreliable.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s also the Turner family\u2019s birthday banquet tonight. What if he doesn\u2019t show up? Call him now to find out where he is.\u00a0<\/p>\n
11\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna lowered her gaze and took a sip from her glass of milk.\u00a0<\/p>\n
From a young age, Clayton was raised by Rupert, so his relationship with his parents had always been lukewarm.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Irene didn\u2019t dare to be too controlling over Clayton, so she often asked Sienna to supervise him instead.\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, Sienna wasn\u2019t his trainer. There was no way she had enough strength to contain Clayton on her own.\u00a0<\/p>\n
To make sure Irene didn\u2019t nag as much, Sienna remained calm and made something up on the spot. \u201cMom, Clayton has been much more restrained recently. He\u2019s under a lot of pressure at work, so it made sense for him to go relax with Miles once in a while.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI asked him to come home the other night. He was just drinking alone and wasn\u2019t with any other women.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNot to mention, it is the Turner family\u2019s birthday banquet, after all. Miles will definitely drag Clayton along, so he won\u2019t miss it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Irene was about to say something, but Sienna cut her off, changing the subject. \u201cWhere\u2019s Grandpa?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Deciding when to get a divorce whenever he felt like it seemed unrealistic.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Out of spite, Clayton might just drag this out until she turned all old and unattractive while he still got to mess around with\u00a0<\/p>\n
other women outside.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It would be better to discuss the divorce with Rupert first. He was the head of the Hale family after all, so his words carried the most weight.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDad went fishing in the suburbs. He said he was very bored at home,\u201d Irene replied as she handed over a vintage gift box.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 11\u00a0<\/p>\n
3\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a birthday gift for Mr. Turner Senior. It\u2019s a painting called \u2018Eagles Over the Southern Hills\u2019 drawn by Marcus Kilgore. We specifically commissioned him to make this.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Turner Senior has always been keen on paintings and calligraphy, especially the works of Marcus Kilgore and William Morgan.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWilliam Morgan?\u201d Sienna was slightly taken aback.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you know him?\u201d Irene said nonchalantly, \u201cHe\u2019s an old man with an odd temper. We offered so much money, but he still wouldn\u2019t agree to sell his works.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna did sort of know him. She coincidentally took his calligraphy class back in her sophomore year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her original instructor, Edmund Prescott, had to take emergency leave at that time. So, he had asked his old friend, William, to step in and teach for one semester.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna thought such an opportunity shouldn\u2019t be wasted, as the class was being taught by a master artist. Even though it was merely an elective to score some free credits, she still put effort into learning.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGo pick a gown at Shine later, and put it on my tab,\u201d Irene said as she interrupted Sienna\u2019s train of thought.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She took a look at Sienna\u2019s bare face and said, \u201cYou represent the Hale family. Don\u2019t embarrass us.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna nodded obediently, seemingly fine with any arrangement made by Irene.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the afternoon, Sienna arrived at Shine-one of the most prestigious styling studios in Brightford. Many socialites and celebrities had been here before. A single full styling session could easily start at the price of six figures.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Already familiar with the place, she browsed the gowns on the second floor, weaving through rows of dresses in a variety of colors and styles.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The store supervisor, Angela Halpert, followed closely behind, enthusiastically introducing the dresses.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMrs. Hale, this backless, starry-blue backless dress here is the latest custom-made dress this season. It really complements your skin tone.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna glanced at the extremely low back slit. \u201cThe back\u2019s cut all the way to the waist. I would freeze to death.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She pointed at another slip dress in scarlet red. \u201cThis is too bright. It\u2019ll blind me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then, she swept past a dark green velvet gown. \u201cIt looks so old-fashioned. It\u2019s like something an old lady from the mid- century would wear.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
After walking a full circle, Sienna found none of the gowns appealing. She knew the third floor held more luxurious gowns, several times the price.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Since Irene was going to pay for it anyway, she put aside an aqua tulle dress and tilted her chin toward Angela. \u201cLet\u2019s take a look at the third floor.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Angela rubbed her hands apologetically. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Mrs. Hale. A VIP has fully booked out the third floor.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna was a little shocked. \u201cWho\u2019s this bastard that\u2019s so over-the-top?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just as her words left her mouth, a few chatters drifted down from the staircase.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh my God, that lady looks literally like a female main character from a novel. Mr. Hale and Mr. Turner are so obsessed with her.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cJust look at her, she has such a great body. If I were a man, I\u2019d be drooling all over her, too.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Hale stayed with her the entire time while she was picking the dresses. I heard him say he booked the entire floor just for her to pick any dress she wants. That sounded so domineering-it\u2019s as if he had bought the entire ocean just for her.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut isn\u2019t Mr. Hale married? Wouldn\u2019t his wife make a scene if she finds out?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAll rich people act like this. If my husband looked like that, I\u2019d even serve his mistress if she were on maternity leave.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 11\u00a0<\/p>\n
4\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna calmly walked up to them, glanced at the name badge on one of the girls\u2019 chests-\u201cBritney Perkins\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She said with a serious expression, \u201cThere\u2019s quite a shortage of maternity nurses these days. If you\u2019re thinking of becoming one, switch careers soon. Don\u2019t waste your future.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The two girls\u2019 faces turned pale as they met Sienna\u2019s gaze, stammering out apologies.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Angela rushed over and yelled, \u201cWhat nonsense are you girls babbling about? Get back to work!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The girls scurried off. Angela turned back to Sienna, bowing and apologizing repeatedly. \u201cMrs. Hale, I\u2019m terribly sorry. I have failed to keep my staff under control.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s no big deal.\u201d Sienna stepped onto the stairs. \u201cI\u2019ll go take a look as well. I want to see what kind of grand treatment Mr. Hale is giving his mistress.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Act Fast: Free Bonus Time is Running Out!\u00a0<\/p>\n
X\u00a0<\/p>\n
Claim\u00a0<\/p>\n
She got the divorce and bolted 11 \u00a0 Chapter 11\u00a0 1\/4\u00a0 Chapter 11\u00a0 The phone rang for a while. Clayton […]<\/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-20085","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\/20085","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=20085"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20085\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20085"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20085"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20085"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}