The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 105

Returning to the villa, Nora pushed open the front door.

The motion-sensor lights in the foyer flickered on. Unlike the usual empty, chilling atmosphere, the first-floor living room was brightly lit tonight. The faint aroma of simmering soup drifted from the kitchen, accompanied by the quiet hum of conversation.

The butler stepped forward and took Nora's bag.

"Welcome back, ma'am. Mr. Hayes is waiting for you in the dining room."

Nora paused mid-motion while changing her shoes.

Gideon was waiting for her in the dining room?

Over the past three years, Gideon rarely ate dinner at the villa. He was either working late at the office or back at the manor keeping Giselle company. On the rare occasions he did come home, it was usually late at night, marching straight into his study with exhaustion and coldness trailing behind him. Sitting at the dining table waiting for her to eat like this was a first.

Nora slipped on her house shoes, crossed the living room, and stepped into the dining area.

Four or five exquisite dishes were arranged on the rectangular marble table. None of them were spicy; they were all lightly seasoned, clearly prepared specifically by the kitchen to accommodate her burn wounds.

Gideon was wearing a crisp white casual shirt, the sleeves rolled casually up to his forearms. He sat at the head of the table, scrolling through emails on his tablet. Hearing her footsteps, he looked up.

The warm dining room lights cast a soft glow over his usually sharp, handsome features.

"Go wash your hands. It's time to eat."

Gideon set the tablet down, his tone as natural as if they were an ordinary married couple.

Nora stood frozen in place. She looked at the food, then at Gideon, feeling entirely unsettled by this sudden burst of warmth.

"Why are you just standing there?" Gideon raised a brow.

Nora snapped out of it, washed her hands, and sat directly across from him.

It was just the two of them in the dining room.

Gideon picked up a piece of steamed bass with his silverware, reached across the table, and placed it onto Nora's small plate.

"The doctor said you need a bland diet for a while. This fish has no irritating spices," he said, his voice steady as he pulled his hand back.

Nora stared at the fish on her plate, then back at Gideon.

The light softened the harshness of his features. He wasn't staring at his phone or handling business; he was simply sitting there, entirely focused on keeping her company for dinner.

The meal ended in a bizarre quietness.

Just as Nora was about to head upstairs to rest, he spoke up.

"Nora."

She stopped and turned around.

Gideon stood by the sofa. He pulled open a drawer beneath the coffee table and took out a square, dark green velvet box.

He walked over and handed it to her.

"Open it." He held her gaze.

Nora hesitated for a second before taking the box and popping it open.

Resting quietly on the black velvet lining was an exquisitely designed diamond necklace.

Nora recognized it immediately. It was the centerpiece that had fetched an astronomical price at an international auction last month, causing massive ripples through the jewelry design community.