Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 578

Tonight's gala was a stage built on Jared's bones.

Nora squeezed Sienna's hand gently, about to offer some comfort, when someone called her name from behind.

"Nora?"

Nora reflexively turned around.

Arthur and Diana had somehow appeared behind her. They stood side by side, their expressions not quite friendly, but lacking the haughty arrogance they used to display. Instead, they observed her with an appraising look.

Diana spoke first. "Long time no see. Your hearing is back?"

Nora's gaze swept over her face, her expression blank. "Can I help you?"

Diana choked slightly on the icy reception but managed to force a smile. "We just happened to see you and thought we'd come say hello."

She paused, her eyes sweeping over Nora's face. "How have you been... these past few months?"

Nora's grip on her juice glass tightened just a fraction.

She clearly remembered how Diana had treated her when she was deaf, avoiding her as if she were carrying a plague.

Now that she had her hearing back, the woman was suddenly playing the part of a caring elder.

"I'm doing great."

Diana was stumped by the three cold words. She let out an awkward laugh and glanced at Arthur.

Arthur cleared his throat and stepped forward. "Nora, we know you might still be angry, but let the past stay in the past. Edmond... he hasn't been able to move on..."

Nora's fingers clamped harder around her glass.

Diana chimed in. "Yes, Nora, Edmond truly loves you. Ever since you two broke up, he's been completely devastated. Now that your hearing is better, why don't you two get back together? We promise we won't stand in your way anymore."

Sienna frowned, unable to listen to this garbage anymore. "Where did you two pests crawl out from?" Sienna snapped, unable to hold back. "What kind of nonsense are you spouting?"

Dominic scowled. "Is it your place to speak? You're just a Living Blood Bank, what gives you the right to run your mouth?"

Sienna scoffed. "It's better than you lot desperately trying to force yourselves as her in-laws!"

Dominic's face flushed bright red. He was just about to snap back when Nora spoke up first.

"I'm already married."

Arthur and Diana's faces froze simultaneously.

Diana was the first to recover, forcing a hollow laugh. "Nora, don't say things out of spite. It hasn't been that long, how could you..."

Nora raised her left hand. The simple platinum ring on her ring finger caught the light, glinting softly.

Diana's face visibly drained of color.

"Who did you marry?"

Hudson walked straight to Nora's side, naturally wrapping an arm around her shoulder and pulling her against him.

The gesture was undeniably intimate.

Arthur and Diana looked as though they had been struck by lightning.

Nora... married Hudson?

The 'deaf girl' they had despised was now the Lady of the Lancaster family from San Francisco?

Diana's mind buzzed with static.

She remembered the things she had just said, and all the blood left her face.

She... she had just deliriously suggested that Nora get back together with Edmond...

If Mr. Lancaster found out...

Would the Sterling family survive the night?

Arthur clearly had the exact same thought. His legs turned to jelly, and he had to grip the table beside him just to stay upright.

Hudson looked Nora up and down. Seeing she was perfectly fine, he finally relaxed a little before turning his detached gaze to the trembling Sterling couple.

"Who gave you an invitation?"