CHAPTER 128: PUSHING TO THE CORNER

And just like that, another month passed.

Daisy stood outside, eyes fixed on the small wooden sign perched above their shop. It wasn’t grand or flashy, just enough to catch the eye of wandering tourists or the occasional passerby. Simple, but theirs.

She breathed in the faint saltiness of the ocean breeze, the sound of crashing waves not far from where they stood. Choosing a place near the beach had been Aurora’s idea, and Daisy had agreed without much argument just because she had a good memory here.

For the first time in a long while, Daisy let herself imagine this could actually work.

Aurora suddenly slipped her arm around Daisy’s shoulders, her voice light but edged with something heavier.

"I don’t want to ruin your mood on our first day open, but... you know what? George... he lost. Like, badly." She blinked as if she herself couldn’t quite believe it. "I guess Theo’s making sure he won’t be breathing outside air anytime soon. And his father? Didn’t even lift a finger to help him."

Daisy drew in a long, steadying breath. "So... even though his lawyer argued he wasn’t in his right mind because of the medicine, he still lost?"

Aurora nodded happily. "Yup, he lost. But still, he filed an appeal because of course he did. Honestly, it feels like he just doesn’t know when to quit."

Daisy only nodded, not giving much of a reaction, and turned back into the shop. Rows of neatly arranged trinkets and beach souvenirs waited for customers, their bright colors a sharp contrast to the heaviness of their conversation.

The little bell above the door jingled. A postman stepped in, his uniform a bit wrinkled from the afternoon heat.

"Delivery for Miss Daisy," he said, holding out a plain envelope.

Daisy, who didn’t expect to receive any letter, rushed forward to take it. "Thanks..."

The moment her eyes landed on the address below, her heart dropped. Her fingers trembled slightly. It was from the lawyer she had hired for the divorce.

"Does he agree?" she muttered under her breath, frowning as she walked toward a chair and sank into it.

With careful hands, she tore the envelope open and unfolded the papers. Her eyes scanned each line, slow at first, then faster, until the words carved themselves into her mind.

Theo had not agreed to the divorce. He would only grant it on one condition, if Daisy paid back every cent he had ever spent on her.

A bitter laugh slipped past her lips. "Figures..." she whispered, leaning back against the chair. Her eyes shut as a weak sigh escaped. "How much?"

Snapping her eyes open, she scanned down the list of numbers. Her breath caught. "Wait... even my parents’ house? He bought it?"

Her gaze dragged over the page again, and a dull ache pulsed behind her eyes. The figures swam in front of her, each one heavier than the last. Paying that back wasn’t just impossible soon, it was impossible in this lifetime, at least with the way her life looked now.

"What is it? What are you reading?" Aurora’s voice cut in as she came from the back. She leaned over Daisy’s shoulder, sneaking a peek at the paper.

Daisy could only answer with a sigh.

Aurora dragged a chair over and sat down, snatching the papers from her. Her eyes flew across the page before she blurted out, "What the heck?! Is he serious?!"

"Yes, he is." Daisy pushed another envelope toward her. "And here’s his lawyer’s letter, demanding I pay back every last cent before he’ll grant the divorce."

Aurora frowned, flipping through the pages again. "This sounds fishy... is he trying to get you to come to him?"

Daisy let out a hollow laugh. "And you think I never thought of that?" Her fingers drummed against the table, restless and tense. "Of course that’s what he’s doing. He’s pulling strings, as expected of Theo Kingsley."

Aurora leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. "Maybe... just maybe he really wants you back?"

Daisy’s head snapped up, eyes flashing. "By pushing me to the corner? Forcing me to crawl to him?" She shook her head, a bitter edge in her laugh. "That’s not how you get someone back."

Aurora tilted her head. "Maybe not... but you and I both know he wasn’t always like this. He changed after..." she hesitated, lowering her voice, "after what happened with the baby."

For a moment, Daisy’s expression faltered, but she quickly looked away. "That was a misunderstanding. And he never gave me the chance to explain."

Daisy stood up out of anger, her chair scraping against the floor. "And Aurora, don’t try so hard to defend him when you’re the one who suggested I leave in the first place. I’m tired... you know? I missed him... damn much, but I can’t just crawl back to someone who’s pushing me and leaving me hanging without a word for fucking months."

Her voice cracked at the end, the confession slipping out despite her anger. She pressed her palms against her face, as if ashamed of admitting it.

Aurora stayed quiet for a moment, then exhaled softly. "I’m sorry..." She stood up and walked straight to Daisy, pulling her into an embrace. "I should’ve known better. I was trying to protect you, but maybe I just made it worse."

Daisy trembled in her arms, her hands fisting into Aurora’s shirt. "I don’t even know what to do anymore..." Her voice was muffled, raw. "I hate him for what he did, but I hate myself more for still wanting him back."

Aurora stroked her back gently, her own eyes glistening. "Then let’s figure it out together, okay? You don’t have to carry all of this alone."

Aurora’s words seemed to steady Daisy, even if only a little. They stayed like that for a moment, clinging to each other in silence. Finally, Daisy pulled back, swiping at her damp lashes with the heel of her hand.

"I must look pathetic," she muttered with a shaky laugh.

Aurora shook her head firmly. "No... You look human."

Before Daisy could respond, the bell above the shop’s door chimed. Both women instinctively turned toward the entrance, only for their eyes to widen in shock at who had just walked in.