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Novel Catalog
Chapter 24
She couldn’t help but feel a little frustrated by John’s short response. He’s handsome—that was it? Did he really have no more to say after everything she had done to make sure his son looked perfect in the tuxedo?
Cordy shook her head, putting her phone away. She wasn’t expecting a grand display of affection or gratitude, but it still felt a little hollow. Richard, however, was all smiles, clearly enjoying the attention from the store assistants as they complimented him.
“Does it fit well, sweetheart?” Cordy asked, kneeling down to adjust Dicky’s collar, her fingers brushing against his tiny frame.
“It fits great, Mommy!” he beamed, twirling around in the outfit like he was the prince of a kingdom. His joy was infectious, and Cordy’s heart softened.
While she was enjoying the moment, she couldn’t shake off the lingering feeling of tension between herself, Mandy, and Noel. Their presence earlier had been unsettling, but it wasn’t worth letting it ruin her time with Richard. They were nothing compared to this little guy, and that’s what mattered most.
Meanwhile, Noel and Mandy, still in the boutique, were exchanging tense glances. Mandy, her jealousy simmering, couldn’t help but feel the sting as she watched Richard so effortlessly take the spotlight. The child’s angelic look in the tuxedo only reminded her of the life she thought she deserved, not the one she was stuck with.
Noel, on the other hand, was doing her best to ignore the nagging feeling of inadequacy that Cordy’s growing confidence seemed to trigger. While she kept reassuring herself that her situation was still secure, seeing Cordy with Dicky made her feel a little too exposed. She didn’t want to admit it, but Cordy was playing this game much better than she had expected.
Finally, Mandy huffed. “I can’t stand this anymore. I’m going to buy what I need and get out of here. This is just ridiculous,” she muttered, turning on her heel and heading to the high-end section of the store.
Noel watched her go, then turned her attention back to Cordy. She had to admit, Cordy was no longer the same woman she could push around. There was something sharper, more calculated about her now. The thought of Cordy rising in power, both in her personal life and her career, made Noel uneasy. But the problem wasn’t just that she was growing stronger—it was that Noel had no idea how to stop her.
Cordy, meanwhile, was too focused on the present to care about Noel’s quiet frustration. After taking a few more photos of Richard, she smiled as the store assistant complimented the fit one last time.
“I think we’re good to go,” Cordy said, standing up and giving Dicky a small kiss on the cheek. “Let’s grab a treat for you on the way home.”
Dicky clapped his hands, thrilled by the idea. “Yay! Ice cream!” he cheered, already imagining the flavors he would choose.
Cordy chuckled, linking her arm with his as they made their way out of the boutique. This was how it should be, she thought. Family, laughter, and the simple pleasures of life. She wasn’t about to let anyone—especially Noel and Mandy—ruin that for her.
As they left the store, Cordy’s phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from John.
[Sorry about earlier. I’ll make it up to you when I get back.]
Cordy smiled to herself, the soft glow of happiness warming her even more than the sun outside. She had a family to protect, a business to run, and maybe—even just a little bit—a future to look forward to.
And nothing, not even Noel or Mandy, would get in her way.