Chapter 15
Chapter 45
Grayson stood rooted in place, clearly reluctant to get into the car. When Marissa noticed this, a trace of urgency flashed in her eyes. “You’re not listening to me anymore. Sommy? That makes me so sad,” she said, her tone tinged with exaggerated.
hurt.
Hearing her tone, he quickly responded, “No, it’s not like that… go right now.” With that, he obediently dashed to Marissa’s car and stood by the door. However, he didn’t get in.
Marissa frowned slightly at Grayson’s hesitation but chose not to press him further. Instead, she turned her attention to
Paisley.
Paisley, holding Serena’s hand, stopped in her tracks. She seemed puzzled by Marissa’s insistence, asking. “Is there anything else you need?”
With a smile, Marissa stepped closer to Paisley, though her tone had lost all its earlier gentleness as she said, “Tell me, Paisley
what are your plans now that you’re back in Harrowfell?”
Paisley brushed a strand of hair blown loose by the wind and answered in an indifferent tone, “I have a friend whose neighborhood is overrun with flies and pests because of poor sanitation. It’s been driving her crazy.”
Marissa’s gaze hardened, her patience wearing thin. “Paisley, stop skirting around the question. What does your friend’s neighborhood cleanliness have to do with me?”
Parsley shrugged nonchalantly, and she answered indifferently, Exactly. What does it have to do with you?”
That was when Marissa realized Paisley was mocking her–not just mocking her, but comparing her to revolting things like flies and pests. Marissa’s face darkened as she snapped, “How dare you-
Paisley’s smile was dazzling, her eyes sparkling brightly. She hadn’t even put in any effort to dress up, yet she managed to stir an intense sense of insecurity in Marissa,
Marissa steadied herself and adjusted her expression, regaining her composure. “I just wanted to say that since you and Dom are divorced, you should keep your distance like strangers.”
Paisley nodded as if in agreement. “Sure, you should tell that to Dominick as well. She thought irritably. Hopefully that dog of a man can actually act like a stranger and stop randomly showing up at my place. It’s so damn annoying
Marissa bristled at Paisley’s words and attitude, her temper flaring. She snapped, “You don’t seriously think Dom is still hung up on you, do you?
“Dom and I are family. I know exactly what he’s thinking. He’s just trying to be polite for Sonny’s sake because you’re his biological mother. But you should understand that you’re divorced now. Don’t misunderstand his kindness or start thinking it means something more.”
Paisley was so taken aback by Marissa’s logic that she almost laughed outright. And in the end, she did, unable to contain herself.
At her reaction, Marissa’s frustration boiled over, and she demanded, “What’s so funny?”
Paisley stifled her laughter, looking at Marissa sarcastically. Paisley then said, “Marissa, instead of wasting your breath. lecturing me, why don’t you focus on getting Dominick to marry you?
It’s been four years–four whole years since our divorce. How have you still not becoine Mrs. Vanderbilt?”
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Chapter 45
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Marissa’s face med utterly grim, and she could no longer maintain her earlier calm compose “Paisley, you- she began, her voice trembling with restrained anger,
Before Marissa could finish speaking, two cars pulled up in front of Paisley’s apartment building, one after the other, interrupting her. Marissa immediately recognized the first vehicle—it was Dominick’s.
Soon after, Dominick stepped out of the car, holding a bouquet of beautifully wrapped pink roses in his hand.
“Dad” Grayson called out, walking toward him. “Did you and Marissa come to pick the up together?”
It was only then that Dominick noticed Marissa was there too. He asked, “What are you doing here, Marissa?”
