Raising her gaze, Corinne spotted Jessica already standing by the car, calm and effortlessly composed.
Jessica had on a flowing skirt paired with a plain white tee, yet the silk scarf wrapped around her waist stole all the attention, highlighting her slim curves with deliberate care.
The moment Corinne saw it, recognition struck. That scarf came from a luxury brand's next season collection, something ordinary customers could not buy. Only a handful of the brand's partners were given access to pieces like that. And Ryland was the brand's most important partner.
It was obvious enough who had put that on her.
"Ryland, Corinne, you're finally here. I've been waiting for ages," Jessica greeted them with a smooth smile, her presence natural and self-assured, as if she belonged here.
Then she tilted her head slightly and added in a light tone, "Corinne, don't misunderstand. It wasn't Ryland who asked me to come. Patricia heard I was back and said she missed me, so she invited me over. Try not to put Ryland in a difficult spot, alright?"
Patricia Becker, Ryland's mother, had always been fond of Jessica and once saw her as the perfect match for her son.
Then Corinne appeared and disrupted everything.
Even after Corinne became Ryland's wife, Patricia never distanced herself from Jessica and continued treating her like one of her own.
If Corinne hadn't seen through Jessica time and time again, she might have believed that gentle, harmless front.
A faint, cold laugh escaped Corinne. She pushed the thought of divorce aside for the moment and answered without hesitation, "Oh? If Patricia invited you, then why does my husband keep coming up in your explanation? Sounds more like you're making sure I get the wrong idea."
For a brief moment, Jessica froze, clearly not expecting that response. "I only meant to keep things from getting worse between you and Ryland. I didn't want rumors stirring up trouble."
A quiet scoff nearly slipped from Corinne. Jessica surely had a talent for hiding sharp intent behind soft words.
"If you're really so concerned about how things look, then why do you still act so close to him? Patricia never stops praising you for your manners and how well you understand boundaries. Interesting, though. After two years overseas funded by Ryland, all you've improved is this fragile little performance," Corinne sneered.
That remark stripped the pleasant look right off Jessica's face.
"Corinne, you went too far." With the tension rising, Ryland stepped in at last, his brows drawn together.
Jessica turned her gaze toward Ryland, slipping into that fragile, pitiful look she wore so naturally. "Ryland, I'm fine. I'll head inside first."
She moved toward the house, biting her lip just enough to appear hurt as she walked away.
Annoyance flared through Corinne. She spun to face Ryland with a sharp glare, sneering, "So now I'm the one who went too far?"
He exhaled quietly, as if dealing with something exhausting. "Mom's always treated her like one of us. Don't make a scene..."
That was the last straw. Corinne's restraint snapped completely. "Right. Family. Close enough that boundaries disappear whenever it suits you. That's your excuse? And where exactly do I fit into any of this?"
"Corinne!" Even for him, her words crossed a line. His expression hardened at once, and when he spoke her name, it came out tight and cold, his teeth clenched.
The authority in his voice pressed down on her like a heavy weight.
A brief flicker of unease passed through Corinne, yet she held her ground and didn't back down this time. At last, she said what she had been holding in, "Forget breakfast. Let's just get divorced now."
She moved to open the car door, but before she could, his hand struck against it and held it firmly shut.
Instead of replying, he leaned in and kissed her.
"You… damn it—mmph—"
Corinne's protest was swallowed when he pushed her back against the door and kissed her with sudden force, leaving no space for resistance.
The pressure of his lips made hers ache, and the way he held her felt almost suffocating, as if he wanted to pull her completely into him. Despite herself, the intensity left her weak.
Only after she stopped struggling did Ryland ease his hold. One hand remained braced against the car as he leaned closer, his voice dropping. "Satisfied?"
There was something softer in his gaze now, a warmth that made it hard to look away.
Corinne cursed her own weakness. Even now, her heart reacted to him. Frustrated, she turned her face aside.
The color rising in her cheeks and the heat at her ears seemed to amuse him. A faint smile touched his lips, and he leaned in to press another kiss near her ear before taking her hand and pulling her inside, ignoring her resistance.
It was as if he had not heard her mention divorce at all.
No matter how many times she fought him, Corinne always ended up losing, though in her mind, she had already imagined knocking Ryland down countless times.
When they stepped inside, Ryland's grandmother, Lucy Becker, was already seated with his parents at the dining table.
As soon as Corinne appeared, Lucy's face brightened. She drew Corinne into a warm conversation and kept her close for quite some time before finally letting her go.
They had just taken their seats when Jessica emerged from the kitchen, holding a bowl of freshly made soup. She placed it carefully in front of Lucy, her smile gentle and composed. "Lucy, I made this just for you. It's light and good for your stomach. Have a taste. If you like it, I'll make more for you next time."
Without missing a beat, Patricia spoke up. "Jessica came early this morning and spent more than an hour preparing that. She's always so considerate."
Her gaze then shifted toward Corinne, sharp and deliberate. "Unlike someone who arrives late and waits to be served."