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Novel Catalog
Chapter 88
Cordy felt a mix of emotions swirling inside her. On the surface, she smiled at Richard’s excitement and at the pink slippers he had picked out for her, but beneath that smile, something about John’s comment about Zoe York was gnawing at her. Had he already met her parents? The casual mention of Zoe’s “good genes” was far too nonchalant for her liking, considering that just the day before, she had signed Zoe as a brand ambassador.
But before she could dig deeper into the thoughts clouding her mind, Richard’s excited voice brought her back to the present.
“Come on, Mommy, let me show you around! I’ve been waiting forever to show you our place!” Richard tugged at her hand eagerly, his small face lit up with a joy that melted Cordy’s heart.
Cordy smiled warmly at him, even as she nodded distractedly. “Alright, let’s see your big, beautiful house then.”
Richard beamed, pulling her toward the grand living area, where Winston followed behind them quietly. Cordy couldn’t help but notice how the house was as lavish as ever, filled with polished surfaces, expensive furniture, and an air of extravagance. But it wasn’t the grandeur that caught her attention—it was the thoughtfulness behind the little things. The slippers, for one, and the way Richard had carefully picked them out with John. It was clear that they had been trying to make her feel at home here, in their own way.
As they walked through the mansion, Cordy couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling in her chest. Zoe York—beautiful, successful, and a perfect fit for the brand. Yet, there was something about her presence that felt like a shadow hanging over the room, especially with John’s cryptic remarks.
Richard chattered excitedly about every corner of the house, showing her the playroom, the backyard, and even the little reading nook he had created by the window. But Cordy’s thoughts were elsewhere, lingering on the moment when John had casually dismissed her concern with a smile that was too calm, too practiced.
Finally, they made their way to the sitting area, where John was lounging on the couch, his expression neutral but his eyes watching her intently. She could feel the weight of his gaze, but she chose to ignore it for the moment.
“Do you like it, Mommy?” Richard asked, his eyes wide with expectation.
Cordy snapped out of her thoughts and smiled down at him. “It’s beautiful, Richard. I can see why you love it here.”
Richard grinned proudly and turned to John, “I told you, didn’t I, Daddy?”
John raised an eyebrow, a small smirk on his lips. “You did,” he agreed, his voice warm but his eyes still carefully studying Cordy.
There was something in his gaze, something that told her he knew exactly what she was thinking. But Cordy wasn’t ready to confront him yet. She needed more time to process everything, especially the way he had casually spoken about Zoe.
Instead of addressing the topic immediately, she gave Richard one last smile and leaned down to ruffle his hair. “I’m really proud of you for showing me around. You’re a great guide.”
Richard beamed, his little chest puffing out with pride. “Thanks, Mommy!”
As Cordy straightened up, she found herself momentarily lost in the quiet of the room, her gaze drifting back to John. He didn’t speak at first, allowing the silence to linger before he finally said, “If you’re ready, we can head to the office. I need to discuss a few things with you, Cordy.”
Cordy nodded slowly, not trusting herself to respond immediately. She wanted answers—about Zoe, about the comment he made, and about where they stood. But for now, she would follow him, keeping her emotions in check. She had to know the truth, but it seemed like John wasn’t going to make it easy.
As they walked toward the office, Cordy couldn’t help but wonder just how deep this web of connections between John, Zoe, and herself really went.