Chapter 231

Nora picked at her food, barely eating more than a bite here and there.
She listened in silence for a while before finally piecing things together.
Tonight’s dinner was all about arranging a marriage between the Chambers and Cooper families.
Daniel was out of the question-there was no way he’d agree to an arranged marriage. Which meant Eleanor was the chosen bride.
Funny how things had turned out exactly the way Eleanor wanted.
Nora thought to herself that Daniel was the perfect example of the childhood friend trope: never forcing what he couldn’t have, and even helping the girl he loved pursue her own happiness.
Suddenly, everything made sense. From the moment Eleanor became Mr. Hogan Chambers’ goddaughter, Daniel had been orchestrating this match behind the scenes. No matter what, he’d make sure Eleanor found her true love.
The nourishing soup in Nora’s bowl suddenly lost all flavor.
She put down her spoon.
She’d lost her appetite.
Mid-conversation, Daniel paused and angled his head toward her. His voice was gentle, “Not to your liking?”
Nora shook her head. “I’m full.”
Truth was, she’d been feeling a bit nauseous lately and didn’t dare eat much.
Daniel reached over and slid her half-finished bowl toward himself, eating the rest with the same spoon she’d used.
Nora barely had time to stop him.
“You”
Daniel looked up. “Is there anything else you want?”
Nora glanced across the table, then pointed at a clear, mild-looking soup nearby.
“I’d like some of that vegetable broth.”
It looked light and easy on the stomach.
“Alright.” Daniel turned the lazy Susan and ladled a bowl of soup for her.
The conversation about the marriage had been going smoothly until Nora’s interruptions. Across the table, Eleanor was twisting her napkin until it nearly tore. Nora was definitely doing this on purpose.
She was making herself uncomfortable and making Monica uncomfortable, too.
But Eleanor had no choice but to endure it. She needed Daniel’s help if she was going to marry Hans.
Monica, on the other hand, was far less patient.
She snapped, “Nora, we’re here to discuss the marriage, not to watch you act up. Can you behave yourself for once?”
Nora paused, her spoon halfway to her lips, and glanced at Eleanor’s pale face across the table.
Only now did Nora notice just how upset Eleanor looked. Read full story at.net
She’s unhappy…
And that made Nora feel wonderful.
Ignoring Monica, Nora lowered her gaze and sipped her soup, unbothered.
Every couple of minutes, just as the conversation picked up again, she’d ask Daniel to serve her another dish.
Daniel obliged without complaint, pausing to place food on her plate and ask how she liked it.
Nora always offered a comment or two.
After a few rounds of this, Eleanor couldn’t take it anymore.
She quietly set her fork down, eyes shimmering with tears. “Nora, did I do
something to upset you?”
She sounded genuinely hurt.
Nora calmly shook her head. “No.”
Eleanor pressed, “Then why do you keep interrupting? You know we’re trying to
talk about my engagement to Hans—”
This was her future they were discussing.
Nora put on a look of sudden realization and turned to Daniel. “So, Ms. Quinn is upset that I’m ruining her big moment?”
She looked at Daniel. “Was I being disruptive?”
“Not at all.” Daniel understood exactly what Nora was up to, but things had been going smoothly between them today, and he wanted to keep it that way.
Besides, he enjoyed seeing her so compliant.
Nora shot Eleanor a bright, mischievous smile. “Sorry, Ms. Quinn, but Dan says I’m not being a bother.”
“You’re about to get married. It might be good to toughen up a bit. If a little interruption makes you want to cry, are you planning to go home in tears every day after you’re married?”
Eleanor was seething inside, but she forced herself to keep her expression neutral, not letting a trace of anger show.
She couldn’t let her mask slip.
She lowered her head and let out a choked sob.
“I’m not upset with you. I just think it would be best to finalize things quickly so everyone can enjoy their meal while it’s still hot.”
Nora propped her chin in her hand, lips curled in a faint smile. “So you’re just hungry, Ms. Quinn?”