Restoring My Heart: After the Divorce novel Chapter 3

Footsteps steadily approached.

In a panic, Nora quickly snatched the pregnancy test off the floor and shoved it into her pocket.-

At that exact moment, a large hand grasped her shoulder and spun her around.

Nora went rigid with tension. She forced her emotions down and looked up, meeting York's sharply chiseled, handsome face.

As their eyes locked, his perpetually emotionless gaze resembled a frozen lake.

Below his straight nose, his thin lips were pressed into a tight line, his entire presence exuding an unapproachable chill.

York had always been like this. Over the past three years, she had grown completely accustomed to his icy demeanor.

Yet just last night, she had seen with her own eyes how this supposedly impenetrable ice melted into warm, gentle waters for Sienna.

"Have you been crying?"

His long, elegant fingers lightly pressed against her eyelid.

After crying all night, her eyes were swollen, and his touch sent a sharp, burning sting through her skin.

"Just because I couldn't make it back last night to celebrate my birthday with you?"

Nora gripped the fabric of her skirt and took a deep breath.

"I—"

Before she could speak, a shadow fell over her face.

A lingering, warm kiss pressed against her swollen eyelid.

"I saw the things you prepared..."

The realization that York was tenderly kissing her eyelids sparked an inappropriate flutter of joy in Nora's chest, bringing a faint glimmer of light back to her dim eyes.

"Then did you—"

But once again, her words were cut short.

"Don't bother preparing anything next time. It's a waste of time."

A waste of time? Was it because he knew he would never come home for it?

Did he disdain her efforts that much?

It made sense. Sienna was the childhood sweetheart safely tucked inside his heart. And she... to York, she was nothing but a burden.

If it hadn't been for Arthur's pressure, York probably would have divorced her ages ago and tossed her aside.

And hadn't he already given her his answer last night about who he truly wanted to spend his birthday with?

What was she even doing, blindly grasping at these pathetic slivers of false hope?

The fleeting joy in Nora's heart instantly shattered into ice. Her beautiful eyes darkened once more, clouded by a heavy, suffocating fog.

She squeezed her eyes shut in sheer agony. By the time she opened them again, York had already slipped on his jacket, fastened his watch, and buttoned his black shirt to the very top. He looked like his usual, untouchable self.

Seeing him turn to leave, she reached out and grabbed his arm.

"York, wait, I need to tell you—"

"Enough."

He firmly pulled his arm from her grasp and turned to the mirror to adjust his tie.

Before leaving, he pressed a quick kiss to her cheek.

"I have an important meeting at nine, and I'm running late. Stop clinging. Whatever it is, it can wait until I get back."

With that, he turned on his heel and walked out.

Watching his retreating figure, tears streamed freely down Nora's face.

York had always been a man of meticulous planning.

Even if he truly had an emergency meeting, he would have factored in plenty of time.

His rush right now wasn't for some meeting; he was just eager to get back to Sienna and her daughter, wasn't he?

Leaning heavily against the closet door, Nora felt the last of her strength drain away as she slumped down onto the icy floor.