Chapter 2

The next day, Nora Yates arrived at the law firm for her scheduled consultation.

She spent half the day drafting the divorce agreement: she would give up custody, ask for $3 million, and walk away with a clean break.

Three million meant nothing to Travis Luther—it was pocket change.

And for seven years of marriage? Nora wasn’t asking for much.

She returned home with the signed agreement in hand. The front door was slightly ajar, and laughter spilled faintly from inside.

“Aunt Lily, how did you do that? I want to learn too!”

Quinton was curled up on Lily’s lap, eyes sparkling, face full of joy. “Aunt Lily, you’re amazing! You can even do magic tricks! Not like my mom—she can’t do anything!”

Travis’s voice cut through the laughter, cool and clipped. “Nora is your mother. Don’t talk about her like that. Where are your manners?”

Nora paused, her hand on the door.

She had heard things like this from Quinton before. The first few times, it had hurt—a deep, aching kind of hurt.

She’d poured her heart into raising him, only to find that a few laughs and tricks from Lily were worth more in his eyes.

She’d even brought it up to Travis once.

His response?

A furrowed brow and a dismissive comment, “He’s just a kid. Why take it so seriously?”

Nora scoffed softly now and pushed the door open.

Lily was swatting Travis on the arm in a playful scold. “Quinton’s just a child. Don’t be so harsh—you’re scaring him.”

The way she stood there, the way she acted—it was as if she were the lady of the house.

With Travis as the strict father and Lily as the sweet, nurturing mom, they really did look like a perfect pair.

Lily’s expression flickered when she spotted Nora, but she quickly recovered and stood up with a smile.

“Perfect timing, Nora. I baked cookies for Quinton. He and Travis both said they were delicious. Come try one!”

Quinton frowned. “No! Aunt Lily made them for me! I don’t want Mom to have any!”

“Quinton,” Travis warned, his tone sharp.

The moment his voice hardened, Quinton’s eyes welled with tears. “They’re mine! I like Aunt Lily best. I like everything she gives me! I don’t want her as my mom—I want Aunt Lily!”

To everyone’s surprise, Nora answered calmly.

“All right.”

Her voice was so composed that Quinton blinked, confused.

He stopped mid-tantrum and stared at her in disbelief.

Travis frowned. “He didn’t mean that. He’s just a kid—why are you taking it so seriously?”

Nora didn’t bother arguing. She pulled the divorce papers from her bag.

“I’ve already signed. Take a look. If there’s anything you want to discuss, we can talk. If not, just sign it.”

Quinton glanced down at the papers in front of him, suddenly quiet.

He didn’t say a word for several seconds.

When he didn’t take them, Nora set them on the coffee table.

Quinton quickly snatched them up, flipping through with wide eyes.

“You… you’re really divorcing Dad?”

Lily stood abruptly, feigning panic.

“I’m sorry—is this because of me? There’s nothing going on between me and Travis. Last night, Quinton insisted on staying with me. I didn’t have a choice. Please don’t misunderstand.”

Nora gave a small smile, but her eyes were ice.

“So you do know how it looks.”

Lily fell silent, caught off guard.

Nora didn’t stop.

“Always running into someone else’s home like this—anyone would think you can’t have children of your own, and that’s why you’re so obsessed with mine.”

“Nora, I didn’t mean it like that…”

Lily tried to defend herself, but Travis cut her off.

“You should go.”

Just four simple words. Firm. Final.

Lily bit her lip, clearly stung. She knew if she stayed, Travis would only grow more irritated.

She tucked her hair behind her ear and forced a soft smile.

“Then I’ll head out. Travis, talk to Nora. You’ve been together seven years—if not for each other, at least think about Quinton.”

A gentle reminder, hinting that Quinton clearly preferred her over Nora.

But Travis didn’t acknowledge her at all. He turned to Quinton instead.

“You too. Upstairs. I need to talk to your mom.”

But Nora had no interest in talking.

“If it’s not about the divorce,” she said flatly, “then don’t bother. There’s nothing left to say.”

Travis stared at her, displeasure flickering in his eyes.

“Lily’s gone. You don’t need to keep acting like this. There’s nothing between us.”

Nora paused for a beat, then let out a soft laugh.

Even now, Travis thought she was jealous?

When she didn’t respond, his tone softened slightly.

“Yesterday at the amusement park—it was because Quinton hadn’t seen Lily in a while. He begged to go. Then you said what you did, and… I got upset. That’s why I didn’t tell you.”

It was rare for him to explain himself.

But to Nora, it only sounded worse.

She gave a simple “Oh,” then added dryly, “Then sign the papers. The courthouse is still open—we’ve got time.”