Chapter 11
Brad’s face clouded over as he stared at Nick. The room feeling heavier by the second.
Ever since she got out of prison, Sally was like a different person–completely changed, almost unrecognizable.
A pang of bitterness hit him out of nowhere, too strong to brush off.
It all boiled down to her, to how she’d become someone else.
Maybe she didn’t love him anymore. Maybe she was totally out of his reach now.
“That’s absurd!” someone suddenly barked. “Sally’s ready to divorce you, and you’re still throwing around low blows like that?”
A rough, worn voice broke through from the staircase.
Howard came down slowly with Lauren beside him, his expression darkening with every step until he faced them.
“Grandpa, I’m just being straight,” Brad said, his voice low and sharp. “She gets out of prison and suddenly wants a divorce. But come
on–someone like her? Even if she leaves me, where’s she going?”
Howard’s eyes blazed.
“You’re looking down on Sally?” he roared. “She’s a woman who can hold her own anywhere, cook a meal from nothing, and even made clothes for the kids back in the day.
“She’s kept this house together and been a great partner. What’s your problem, Brad?”
Brad tried to respond, but nothing came out.
Lena, sitting quietly off to the side, stayed silent, her eyes flickering with unease.
“Sally’s more than good enough for you, way better than you deserve,” Howard continued. “If you don’t appreciate her, that’s your loss. But you didn’t even bother digging into that case back then.
“You and your dad just pointed fingers at her and sent her to prison. Of course she’s pissed. That’s why she’s talking divorce.”
Lena’s head jerked up, her face hurt. “Mr. Zale, are you saying I’m the one who hurt her?” she asked, her voice shaky.
Howard didn’t flinch. “She’s going to get to the bottom of this, you wait. I’m not taking sides–let the truth come out. But I know Sally’s heart, and I trust her.”
His position was clear as day.
“Howard, take it easy,” Lauren cut in, twisting her hands.
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She’d brought them here to patch things up with the old man, not stir up trouble.
“Sure, she saved your life once,” Brad shot back. “But people change, Grandpa. You saw what she did today–she didn’t think twice about going after the kid. What’s she not capable of?”
“And that dipping sauce went through Miss Yasmin’s hands too,” Howard snapped. “Why aren’t you calling her out?”
He slammed his cane on the floor, the sharp thud shutting everyone up.
Lena’s teary act slipped for a split second, a flash of panic crossing her face.
It was gone fast, but not before Howard’s keen eyes spotted it.
“Grandpa, you can’t just throw accusations around without proof,” Brad began.
“Proof?” Howard interrupted, gripping his cane harder. “Where was your talk of proof when you were pinning everything on Sally? Now that I’m calling it like I see it, you want evidence?
“You’re the CEO of the Zale Group, and you let your biases blind you. Don’t be shocked when someone turns that against you someday.”
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10:22 AM
“Dad, that’s enough,” Lauren said, giving her grandson Nick a pointed look. “Brad’s not feeling great today. Let’s not do this in front of the kid–it’ll freak him out.”
Nick picked on his grandma’s cue right away.
He jumped off the couch and ran to Howard.
“Great–Grandpa, don’t be mad,” he said, tugging at his sleeve. “You’ll make your beard grow messier if you keep frowning like
that.
The boy’s words softened Howard’s scowl, pulling a small smile from him.
He looked down at Nick. “Leave the kid here tonight. Lauren can watch him. No need to drag him around this late. You two- go. Now.”
Brad hesitated, words stuck in his throat.
“And one more thing.” Howard added, locking eyes with Brad as he stood. “I hear Sally hasn’t gone back to Orchard Villa. You better bring her home. If she doesn’t come back, I’ll kick you out myself.”
With that, he took Nick’s hand and headed upstairs.
Nick glanced back at his dad but stayed quiet, following along.
Sally got home, took a quick shower, and flopped onto her bed.
Her fever was finally easing up, and her head was starting to clear.
Rolling over, her eyes caught the purse by the bed. She sat up, reached in, and pulled out a sleek, fancy card.
Sinking back into the pillows, she held it up to the light, eyeing the black business card.
Jaxon. CEO, Crownstone Group.
The words hit her like a shock, her eyes widening as she read them.
In the whole Zale family, no one had more power than this guy.
Sally grabbed her phone and opened her contacts, saving Jaxon’s number.
Maybe she didn’t need it now, but she never knew if she’d…
Just as she saved it, an unknown number flashed on her screen.
She knew it right away. It was Brad’s.
She’d switched to a new SIM card after getting out, but if he wanted her number, it wouldn’t be tough for him to find it.
After a brief pause, she picked up the call.
A deep, familiar voice came through. “I don’t care where you are. You’re coming back to Orchard Villa tomorrow.”
Sally’s mind flicked back to the conversation she’d overheard in Jaxon’s study.
Those harsh, stinging words had cut her like knives, sinking deep.
But instead of hurt, she just felt a bitter chuckle rising up.
Her voice was frosty. “Mr. Zale, had one too many tonight? I made it perfectly clear in front of everyone that I want a divorce, and you’re still telling me to come back to Orchard Villa?
“Did I mumble, or are you just not listening?”
Brad went quiet on the other end.
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15
10:22 AM
Chapter 11
If Sally didn’t show up tomorrow, Howard would probably boot him out the day after.
She didn’t know that, though.
“We’ll talk about the divorce when you’re back,” he said finally. “I’ll be home tomorrow night, waiting. You’d better have a good explanation, or I’m not signing anything.”
“What’s there to talk about?” Sally’s grip on the phone tightened, her knuckles turning white.
The divorce was a done deal in her head.
Three years in prison, and all she’d wanted was to cut him out of her life.
Now he was pulling this move, throwing her off.
“You want my signature? Then show up tomorrow. If I don’t see you, I’m fine dragging this out forever.”
Before she could reply, Brad hung up.
Sally’s brow creased, a scowl pulling at her mouth.
She stared at the dark screen, annoyance bubbling up.
She thought to herself fuming, ‘He’s the one obsessed with his old flame, and now he’s the one refusing to divorce?‘
She couldn’t figure out what this guy was up to.
“Ding!” A notification lit up her phone.
It was a text from her best friend, Abigail.
Abigail: [Couldn’t get through–your line was busy. I’ve got something urgent. Text me back when you see this.]
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