Chapter 372

Nora walked down the sterile hallway, one cautious step at a time. She’d told herself she didn’t believe any of this-had clung to skepticism like armor-but the moment she saw the red glow above the operating room doors, something inside her twisted painfully.
Her brother.
The word echoed in her mind, sharp and desperate, and for a moment the world dimmed around her.
This day had been chaos from the start.
A nightmare come to life.
Eleanor spotted her and felt the old bitterness flare-how Hans had chosen Nora
over her still burned like acid. Hatred flickered in her eyes.
“What are you even doing here?” Her tone was icy and unwelcoming.
Nora stopped right in front of her, gaze glittering with cold fury. Without warning, she slapped Eleanor hard across the face.
“Eleanor, you hurt Una. I swear, I won’t let you get away with it.”
Eleanor shot to her feet, lips curling in a mocking sneer. “Nora, she tried to commit murder. As Hans’s legal wife, I’ll make sure she pays for it.”
Her smile twisted, voice dripping with malice. “But honestly, I doubt she’s coming back.”
Nora swayed, her face going even paler. The ache in her chest was suffocating. “Eleanor, shut up.” Daniel’s voice was harsh as he stepped forward, steadying Nora with a hand on her shoulder.
Eleanor just laughed coldly. “Nora, Una’s dead. You killed her.”
“I said shut up.” Daniel’s glare was pure warning, but Eleanor didn’t care.
She wanted Nora broken. She wanted her to drown in guilt for the rest of her life. “Nora, she did it for you—”
“Eleanor.” Nora’s voice was hoarse and trembling. “Let her speak,” she snapped, nearly shouting.
She was running on empty.
“When they took us, I heard David myself. He told Una to kill Hans, or he’d kill
you,” Eleanor said, breathing hard. “She stabbed Hans in the chest for you, Nora. You’re the reason she’s dead.”
“What gives you the right to come after me? You’re the one who killed her.”
“She died because of you.”
“You’re lying Nora’s legs gave out, and she barely managed to stand upright.
Her Una… How could this be happening?
“Then tell
me, why did she go
through with it? She was safe, so why stab Hans?” Eleanor pressed in, eyes locked on Nora’s “Sure!
pushed her, but from where w
were
standing, she shouldn’t have fallen
into the river.”
“She killed the person she loved
most for you. It destroyed her. Shet
wanted to die. That’s why she
let
herself go into the water..net>
“It was suicide. I had nothing to do with it.”
Nora’s mind spun, a tangled mess. Her nails dug so deep into her palms she was close to drawing blood.
Was it true? Google seaʀᴄh.net
Had she killed Una?
Was she the real murderer?
Eleanor watched Nora’s composure fracture, and finally, she let herself breathe-
a small, savage satisfaction.
Fall apart, Nora. Shatter for good.
“Eleanor.” Daniel’s voice was low and threatening in her ear. “Did you not hear a word I said?”
Eleanor swallowed the rest of her venom, suddenly unable to speak.
Tears welled in her red-rimmed eyes
and slipped down her cheeks. “L
that you care about her. But Hans
was innocent. So was Una.
“If Hans… if Hans doesn’t make it—” She choked, clutching her chest, “what am I supposed to do?”
Daniel couldn’t say anything more.
Whether Una had fallen because Eleanor pushed her, or if she’d let herself go on purpose, the truth would have to wait.
Eleanor stared down at her trembling hands, pressing her left palm hard against her right.
She wasn’t afraid.
She was exhilarated.