Chapter 279

The room was shrouded in darkness; not a single light was on.
Only the faint glow from outside seeped in, casting blurred shadows across the walls.
Nora struggled, but the man’s grip held her fast.
“What are you doing?”
Before she could finish, his cool fingertips pressed against her lips.
In the dimness, his dark eyes burned with restless fire.
“Did you two kiss?”
His deep voice trembled with pain and an undercurrent of insecurity.
From where he stood at the amusement park, it really had looked like they were kissing.
The thought had been eating him alive, and he needed to know the truth. Nora couldn’t make out his expression, but she let out a cold, mocking laugh.
“What business is it of yours?”
They’d been divorced for ages. The only reason they were stuck together now was the baby she carried. Who was he trying to impress with this jealous act?
Daniel’s grip on her wrists tightened.
Her cutting words only fueled the anger simmering beneath his calm.
“You’re the one who started hiding things from me.”
Nora’s patience snapped. She shoved at him, her voice sharp and urgent. “Daniel, you have no right to control me.”
She spoke as if he were something dangerous-something to be feared.
Daniel leaned in and kissed her.
He was angry; his kiss was rough, almost punishing, his teeth grazing her lips. Soon, her lips went numb.
She fought back, but he pressed her into the softness of the bed.
He yanked off his tie and used it to bind her wrists, then kissed her again and again, hard and desperate.
His rage was palpable.
Tears stung the corners of Nora’s eyes. She felt humiliated.
“Daniel, do you even care about this baby anymore?”
A sliver of reason returned to Daniel’s eyes. He broke away, pulling the blanket over her.
The air between them was thick, stifling.
“Nora, do you really like Louis that much?”
Nora turned her head, shutting her eyes. Daniel was clearly losing it.
“Let me go.”
Daniel’s figure looked desolate as he turned away. If he’d had a cigarette, he would have lit it, just to steady his nerves.
“Nora, the Winters family is already looking for a suitable match for Louis. He’s expected to follow whatever path they lay out for him.”
Turning back, Daniel cupped Nora’s face in his palm, his touch unexpectedly gentle. “The Winters family would never accept Aurora, and they certainly won’t accept you.”
Nora’s chest heaved with anger, her patience frayed to a breaking point.
“I told you I don’t like him.”
What would it take for him to believe her?
Daniel leaned in, his embrace shadowed with doubt and suspicion.
If she didn’t care about Louis, why had she gone on the Ferris wheel with him?
Why did they look so much like a perfect little family, even strangers at the park had thought so.
“Nora, you and Louis-”
“That’s enough, Daniel.” Nora’s tone was icy. “You’re always running after
Eleanor, aren’t you? So why do you get to judge me and Louis? Don’t be such a hypocrite.”
“I-Eleanor and I… we
Daniel wanted to explain-wanted to tell her the truth.
But his phone rang, slicing through the tension. Follow current novels on
The screen glowed in the darkness. Mrs. Quinn was calling.
Her panicked voice came through the speaker. “Dan, it’s Eleanor-something’s happened! Please, come to the hospital, now!”
Daniel was out of bed in an instant. He hesitated, glancing back at Nora, then untied her wrists.
“I have to go to the hospital.”
Rubbing her wrists, Nora gave a bitter, mocking laugh.
“Go.”
Go as far away as possible.
Daniel pressed his lips together and rushed out.
Nora’s vision blurred with unshed tears.
One minute, he was grilling her about Louis out of jealousy; the next, he was running to Eleanor’s side.
How ironic.
How pathetic.
***
At the hospital.
When Daniel arrived, Mrs. Quinn was desperately trying to wrestle a needle from Eleanor’s hand.
“Eleanor, are you trying to kill your mother with worry?”
Eleanor broke down sobbing, her grief spilling over. “I’ve lost everything-what’s the point of living anymore?”