Wife You Discarded is a Billionaire's Crush novel Chapter 103

As he said it, Douglas looked up, his eyes fixed on Liliana.

Her long lashes fluttered, and she quickly looked away. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked about your private life."

She had just been making small talk about work, assuming he'd gone abroad for a better opportunity. He didn't have to be so honest about something so personal. She'd killed the conversation.

Douglas lowered his head and continued chopping. "You don't have to be so formal with me."

"Okay," Liliana murmured, assuming he was just being polite. She turned and left the kitchen.

Lately, she hadn't been in a good state of mind. She knew it was inappropriate for Douglas to be coming over and cooking for her every day, but her thoughts were too jumbled to worry about etiquette. She figured that after the divorce, once she had pulled herself together, she would properly thank the Sewell siblings.

An hour later, dinner was served. Juniper ate like she was starving, cursing Cedric between every bite, while Douglas ate in silence, occasionally offering Juniper another helping or placing a serving of vegetables on Liliana's plate. With Juniper's constant chatter filling the room, Liliana didn't notice anything unusual about it.

After dinner, the Sewells left.

"Bro, why'd you make me come home? I wanted to stay and keep Liliana company," Juniper complained as soon as they were in the car.

Douglas had forbidden her from staying over. He started the engine and drove toward the gate. "You weren't keeping her company. You were twisting the knife."

At the dinner table, Juniper hadn't been able to go two sentences without bringing up Cedric. He had tried to steer the conversation away several times, but she hadn't taken the hint. Liliana needed peace and quiet, not a constant reminder of the man who was breaking her heart.

"How was I twisting the knife by bashing Cedric? She was agreeing with me," Juniper muttered, deeply unsatisfied.

The gate at the community entrance didn't lift automatically. Douglas hit the brakes, unbuckled his seatbelt, and got out. He walked over to the security booth and offered a cigarette to the guard, a man in his fifties or sixties.

"You're not a resident here, are you, son?"

Douglas nodded. "No, a friend of mine lives here."

The old guard took the cigarette and lit it, taking a drag before speaking. "One of the residents had something stolen yesterday. No more non-residents allowed in after today." Not just cars, but people too.

Douglas seemed to understand. "Right. Thanks for the heads-up."

In return for the cigarette, the guard raised the barrier without another word.

Outside the community gates, a Maybach was parked. As the SUV pulled out, Cedric's lips barely moved. "Let's go."

***

The next day, at eight in the morning, Liliana stood before Expo Manor.

She rang the doorbell, but there was no answer. She raised her hand to knock, but just as she did, the door creaked open. Through the narrow gap, she could just make out the black lace hem of a woman's nightgown.

A second later, the door swung wide open. Sylvia, dressed in a silk nightgown, turned and walked back inside without a word.

"Please put on shoe covers."

She pulled a pair from the entryway cabinet and tossed them onto the floor. They rolled to a stop at Liliana's feet.

Liliana glanced down at them.

"I don't like people tracking dirt into my home," Sylvia said, leaning against the cabinet and watching her.

Liliana's gaze flickered over the shoe covers, but she didn't move. She lifted her eyes to meet Sylvia's. "Whether or not this is your home is still up for debate. And whether this conversation goes smoothly will determine if Cedric and I get a clean divorce. Are you sure you want to start by shutting me out?"