Chapter 223

“Payne’s fall-it was connected to him.” Daniel rubbed his brow, the fatigue written all over his face.
He didn’t hide anything from Nora. He explained the whole situation, start to
finish.
Nora set down her phone. “You’re saying he scattered those marbles on purpose?”
Daniel nodded, still massaging his temples. “The police are handling it now.”
Nora fell silent. She hadn’t expected Daniel to actually call the police.
In her memory, as long as Eleanor so much as shed a tear, Daniel would drop everything and rush to her side, no matter what it cost him.
But now, it seemed there were things-even for Eleanor-that he could refuse.
“You can really let go?” she asked quietly.
Daniel leaned back in his chair, his voice turning soft, almost instinctively
affectionate. “For you, there’s nothing I wouldn’t give up.”
Nora’s reply was cool and steady. “But for Eleanor, you’d give up even me—and our child.”
The tenderness in the air vanished, replaced by a tense stillness.
Nora turned to stare out the window.
She was grateful Daniel had saved Payne. But that’s all it was-gratitude. Nothing
more.
Because, at the end of the day, saving him was just another transaction.
Her hand drifted to her stomach, almost unconsciously. There, a new life was growing.
This child would be born into comfort, never lacking for anything-except love. This child… what kind of future would he really have?
Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice Daniel watching her every expression, his gaze growing colder, darker.
Daniel knew Nora well. Even during those first three years-when she hid behind the name Aurora and played the fragile wife-he’d sensed the streak of rebellion in her.
The moment she found out she was pregnant, she’d wanted to end it. She only agreed to keep the child for Payne’s sake.
Now Payne had the protection of old Mrs. Winters.
Was Nora thinking of going back on her word?
Things were slipping out of his control, and he could feel it.
Suddenly, he reached out and took her soft hand in his.
“What are you thinking about?”
Nora blinked, withdrawing her hand. “Just… thinking about Payne.”
It was a lie.
She didn’t want Daniel to know she was still debating whether to have the child.
Daniel felt a dull ache in his chest. He knew she was lying, but he said nothing.
As they neared North Manor, Daniel’s grandfather called to invite them for dinner at the family estate.
Nora didn’t want to go. Her position in the family was awkward now, and she knew it would only be more uncomfortable at dinner.
Daniel wouldn’t take no for an answer. He placed his large hand gently on her stomach, his tone soft. “Grandfather is very fond of this child.”
In the Chambers family, Mr. Hogan Chambers had the final say. If he liked the child, it meant the child’s future would be bright.
Nora’s emotions churned.
If the child stayed, his life would be set a golden path ahead.
But…
She was still hesitating.
The car pulled up to the old manor.
Grandma Grace’s passing had hit Mr. Hogan Chambers hard. He looked older, frailer, his voice lacking its usual strength.
Still, when he looked at Nora, there was unmistakable affection in his eyes.
Mrs. Chambers sat on the couch, a burly maid at her side-the same one Mr. Hogan Chambers had assigned to keep her under constant watch.
Life had been miserable for her these past few days. She was practically bursting with resentment.
As soon as she saw Daniel, she hurried over. “Dan.”
Her gaze slid to Nora, and she shot her a scathing look.
“Dan, I know I made mistakes. Can’t you let me come home?”
Mrs. Chambers was at her wit’s end. Wherever she went, the human watchdog
trailed behind, turning her whole life into a prison.
Now she regretted everything.
She regretted not scheming better, letting Nora ruin her plans.
If only she’d handled things differently, her son would have married Monica by
now.
It was all Nora’s fault. Everyone knew about that mess-there was no need to drag Mr. Hogan Chambers into it. For more chapters visıt
Daniel saw straight through her. His voice was flat, emotionless. “Apologize to her.”
Mrs. Chambers nearly shrieked, “You—!”
Lowering her voice, she hissed, “I’m your mother, and you want me to apologize to her? Are you out of your mind?”