THE DISABLED HEIRESS, MY EX-HUSBAND WOULD PAY DEARLY.-Chapter 44

He sneered, his voice growing louder and more theatrical as he tried to save face. "Just keep going, Oliver. Keep pretending you’re a man of principle. One day, your cup will be full—and when it spills, the whole world will see which direction the water flowed."

Oliver didn’t turn around. He didn’t give James the satisfaction of a response.

Instead, he opened the restaurant door and walked out into the afternoon light, holding it open just long enough for Cora to follow. She walked past James without a single glance.

Once outside, the noise and tension dissolved into the crisp breeze. The air smelled different—cleaner. Lighter.

But Cora, still burning from the scene, glanced sideways at Oliver and narrowed her eyes playfully. "Okay, be honest," she said, her voice low with a mix of suspicion and curiosity. "What were you doing there? Were you stalking me?"

Oliver’s eyes widened, and he scoffed with a smirk. "Me? Stalk you? You must think very highly of yourself."

She raised a brow. "Then explain."

Oliver chuckled lightly, adjusting his sleeves. "I came to meet someone here."

Immediately, her playful suspicion kicked in harder. She tilted her head and crossed her arms. "Who?" she asked sharply. "Who’s the girl?"

At that moment, when Cora threw that question at him with so much energy and curiosity—"Who’s the girl?"—Oliver couldn’t help it. He burst out laughing, loud and freely, like someone who had just been accused of the most ridiculous crime.

He wasn’t expecting that kind of reaction from her. Not now. Not in that tone.

"Cora..." he chuckled, shaking his head, "You haven’t changed at all."

She folded her arms, still frowning, but her lips twitched like she was trying not to smile. "Answer the question, Oliver. Who’s the girl? Don’t play games with me."

Oliver looked at her with a fondness he didn’t even try to hide. His smile lingered, and for a second, his expression softened—just slightly, but enough for Cora to notice.

"You really want to know?" he asked teasingly.

"I need to know," she said dramatically, even stomping one foot like a child. "Because it must be this mystery girl who stopped you from even calling me, checking up on me, or even replying to my last text. Don’t try to lie and twist your way out of this."

Oliver raised both hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. But sorry to disappoint you... I didn’t come here for a girl."

"Oh really?" she narrowed her eyes, not convinced. "Then what? Don’t tell me it’s one of those fake business excuses you always use when you’re trying to sneak away."

He laughed again. "No. This time, I’m serious. I came here for a business meeting—with some greedy old men who think they can manipulate everything to their favor because they own a few plots of land and have been alive longer than all of us."

Cora looked at him, still suspicious. "That’s your story?"

He nodded, still smiling. "Yes. And I’ll even show you the contract files if you want. I’m not here to meet any girl, I swear."

Cora rolled her eyes. "Fine. But I still think someone’s catching your eye lately."

"Maybe," Oliver said casually. "But not today."

At that moment, the air between them shifted just a little—lighter, familiar, but layered with a quiet closeness neither of them spoke of. The bond they had growing up still lingered in the way they talked, the way they teased, and the way they looked out for each other—even now. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel-com

Oliver stepped a little closer to her. "Anyway, I’m glad I saw you. If I hadn’t come when I did, I don’t know what I would’ve done if that bastard had actually laid hands on you."

Cora paused for a moment. Her eyes locked with his, and for a second, she couldn’t speak. She didn’t need to. The look on her face said it all—thank you.

She looked down and smiled faintly, then brushed her hair behind her ear.

"Well... you were right on time."

Oliver gave a small nod. "I always am."

At that moment, Cora couldn’t help but laugh—genuinely laugh, with warmth bubbling in her chest. The memory came flooding back as clearly as if it had just happened yesterday. "Oliver has always been my protector," she said, her voice filled with fondness.

She turned slightly, looking at the faint sky above as her mind drifted. "Do you remember that time when we were kids? That thing falling off the tree? It was so sharp—it could’ve hurt me badly, but Oliver threw himself in the way." She smiled to herself. "That’s how he got the scar on his hand. He still has it."

Melissa blinked, surprised. "Seriously?"

Cora nodded slowly, her voice softening. "Yeah. I’ll never forget it. And it’s not just that—over and over again, he keeps showing up when I least expect it... when I need someone. Even now. I don’t even know how to repay him, but one day," she looked ahead with determination, "I’m sure I will. I will find a way to repay him."

Melissa was quiet, watching her friend speak with that rare mix of gratitude and sincerity. But before she could reply, Oliver cleared his throat playfully.

"Well," he said with a grin, walking back toward them, "I don’t know about scars and gratitude and repayments... but how about a nightcap?"

Cora turned toward him, amused. "A nightcap?"

"Yeah," Oliver shrugged casually. "Are you that busy? Because I feel like we haven’t done anything fun in ages. Just something simple. Chill. Good music, food. Maybe drinks. Just... old times."

Cora raised an eyebrow playfully. "You really want a nightcap?"

Oliver gave her a half-smile. "With you? Why not?"

Cora smiled and shook her head. "I’m not that busy. Sure, let’s hang out. It’s been so long since we did something like that... and honestly, I need it."

"Perfect," Oliver said. "I’ll come pick you up later. Don’t be late."

Cora gave him a thumbs-up. "I won’t."

With that, Oliver stepped back, checking his watch. "Alright, I have to run. Something urgent I need to sort out. But I’ll see you later, okay?"

"Alright," Cora nodded. "Drive safe."

As he walked off, Cora turned to Malisa, expecting to say something casual... but stopped when she noticed Malisa’s expression. Her friend wasn’t listening. She wasn’t even blinking. She was just staring—staring hard at Oliver as he walked away, her eyes following every movement of his back, her lips slightly parted.

Cora’s brows lifted.

"Malisa?" she said slowly, tilting her head. "Hello? Earth to Malisa?"

Malisa blinked, startled. "What?"

Cora smirked, crossing her arms. "Do you have something on Oliver?"

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