Chapter 232

“You ”
Eleanor dug her nails into her palm, furious that Nora would embarrass her like this in front of the family.
“If you’re hungry, Ms. Quinn, just eat. Stop staring at me like that,” Nora said, her tone light but barbed. “There’s plenty of food on the table. More than enough for you.”
Her mood, sour just moments before, suddenly turned bright. Today was absolutely worth coming.
Eleanor’s eyes filled with tears.
Monica couldn’t stand it anymore. She slammed her hand on the table and stood up. “Nora, that’s enough. Seriously.”
Nora arched an eyebrow, feigning innocence. “What did I do now?”
“Were you starving in a past life or something? You act like you’ve never had a proper meal!” Monica snapped without thinking.
Daniel set his bowl down with a sharp clatter, the sound echoing across the table.
“Ms. Cooper, are you cursing my child?” His voice was cold.
Monica’s face drained of color as she realized what she’d said. “That’s not what I meant, Dan, I swear.”
David could only sigh at his daughter’s lack of tact. He muttered quietly, “That’s enough, Monica. Sit down.”
Nora was stirring the pot, Eleanor was playing the victim, and Monica didn’t even realize she’d been used as a pawn.
Fuming, Monica sat back down.
Nora, having eaten more than she should just to spite Eleanor, suddenly felt a wave of nausea. The morning sickness hit hard and fast.
She hurried out to the restroom. Follow current novᴇls on.net
After a few minutes bent over the sink, the nausea finally eased. She rinsed her mouth, then looked up at her pale reflection in the mirror, letting out a weary, bitter laugh.
Maybe it was the complicated feelings she had about this pregnancy, but the sickness was worse than last time-anything she ate, she threw up.
She splashed her face with cold water.
When she looked up again, she caught Eleanor’s reflection in the mirror behind her.
The exhaustion vanished from Nora’s face.
She washed her hands slowly, deliberately, then turned to face Eleanor. “Did you need something?”
Eleanor’s eyes were full of resentment. “Nora, you’re carrying Dan’s child. If you wanted, you could be Mrs. Chambers again at any time. Can’t you just let go of the past and stop making things difficult for me?”
“I’m going to marry Hans. It’s all agreed.”
This marriage meant everything to her. As long as both families approved, she and Hans would be wed. She was desperate to become his wife.
Nora pulled a paper towel and dried her hands, amused. “Is that what you think?”
“Eleanor, when you take something that doesn’t belong to you, there’s always a price.”
“And don’t forget-you’re the reason Grandma’s gone.”
Nora tossed the towel in the trash, her lips curling into a cold smile. “Believe me, as long as I’m around, you and Hans will never happen.”
Eleanor bit her lip, face twisting in anger and fear.
Nora might have sounded casual, but Eleanor knew she meant every word. Somehow, even though Daniel was the one arranging the marriage, Nora always had a way of turning things upside down.
After all, it was Nora who had destroyed the Quinn family.
Eleanor didn’t dare take the risk.
But anger simmered inside her. She raised her hand, ready to slap Nora across the face.
Nora lifted her chin, not moving an inch, her smile mocking. She was betting that Eleanor wouldn’t dare.
And she was right.
Eleanor’s hand hovered in the air, then slowly dropped back to her side.
She didn’t have the courage.
Nora was Daniel’s woman, and she was carrying his child. One slap, and her engagement to Hans would be over.
Nora stepped closer, her voice low and taunting. “Tell me, Eleanor does Hans really love you?”
Without waiting for an answer, Nora swept past her and walked out.
Eleanor stood frozen, her face draining of color, Nora’s words echoing in her mind.
Did Hans really love her?
Three years ago, she would have sworn he did.
But now, she wasn’t so sure.