The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 104

She was only here to work, to build a nest egg for her own future.

During the lunch hour.

Nora held her phone and walked alone to the open-air rooftop of the office building. The early autumn breeze carried a chill, fluttering the silk scarf around her neck.

The screen lit up with an incoming call from her mother.

Nora pressed answer and brought the phone to her ear.

"Nora, have you eaten?"

Mrs. Xavier's voice came through the receiver, carrying a rare trace of warmth and delight.

"I'm eating right now."

Nora looked out at the city skyline, her voice flat.

"My friend said he saw you and Gideon attending the memorial at the cemetery the other day. You two were walking together the whole time, looking very harmonious."

Mrs. Xavier spoke faster, her tone laced with poorly concealed calculation. "See, I told you. Couples fight, but they always make up. As long as you swallow your pride, go with him to visit the cemetery, and keep the Hayes elders happy, Gideon will naturally give you the respect you deserve."

Hearing these words, a wave of bitterness rose in Nora's throat.

Her family didn't care at all about what she had endured at the cemetery, nor did they care that Giselle had thrown hot soup on her at the dinner table. They only saw the image of her walking side-by-side with Gideon, seeing it as hope that the Xavier family could continue leeching off the Hayes empire.

"Mom, what are you trying to say?" Nora had no energy to beat around the bush.

Mrs. Xavier chuckled through the phone.

"Last night, Gideon had someone send over the follow-up contract for the logistics park on the east side of town. Your father was so thrilled he didn't sleep a wink. I knew you listened to us and figured out how to get on his good side. That's the way to do it. A woman should be soft and gentle."

Her mother paused before shifting the subject to someone else entirely.

"Your most important task right now is to heal up and have a baby. As long as you give the Hayes family their first grandchild, your position will be rock solid. When that happens, even Gideon will have to show you respect, and our family business will skyrocket."

"Nathan even mentioned the other day that he wants to intern at The Hayes Group after graduation. As his sister, you have to think about his future."

Her mother's endless demands poured into her ears.

Secure her place. Have a baby. Plan for Nathan.

Nora closed her eyes.

She shouldn't have expected anything else. In the logic of the Xavier family, even her physical injuries were just bargaining chips to win favor and exchange for profit.

"I need to get back to work."

Nora ignored her mother's urging and simply hung up the phone.