The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 106

"Things were rushed the other day. Consider this a late birthday present," Gideon's voice drifted down from above her.

A birthday present.

Nora stared at the priceless necklace, a dense, sharp pain piercing the depths of her heart.

He remembered her birthday. Not only did he remember, he specifically went to an auction to buy such an extravagant piece of jewelry for her.

Ten years of devotion, three years of marriage. She used to spend sleepless nights agonizing over an umbrella he casually handed her, and tear up over a half-hearted happy birthday.

She used to dream of getting even a fraction of his attention and favoritism. She longed for him to remember her preferences, longed for him to treat her like a real wife and gift her something carefully chosen.

Gideon reached out and lifted the necklace from the box. He stepped behind her, draping his arms around her neck.

The man's fingers were warm. He carefully avoided the burn marks, gently fastening the clasp of the necklace.

"It suits you."

Gideon took half a step back, watching the pink diamond sparkle against her collarbone.

Nora kept her head down, her gaze fixed on the diamond resting against her chest.

If this were ten years ago, or even during the first year of their marriage, she would have been ecstatic if Gideon had kept her company for dinner and personally fastened a necklace around her neck. She would have felt that all her waiting and suffering had finally paid off.

She would have thrown herself into his arms with teary eyes, telling him how much she loved him.

But...

Nora's thoughts were violently yanked back to reality.

She remembered everything that happened in the dining room of the manor that night. She remembered the scalding bowl of soup Giselle had thrown at her, and the searing, fiery agony that erupted across her cheek.

More than that, she remembered Gideon's reaction.

He hadn't even spared her a glance, his entire being consumed by whether or not Giselle's hands had been burned. Even while applying ointment in the guest room, he stubbornly made excuses for Giselle, claiming she didn't do it on purpose.

Seeing her expression as calm as still water, all the comforting words Gideon had prepared lodged firmly in his throat.

He had felt Nora's momentary wavering just seconds ago, but in the next breath, she had wrapped herself tightly back into that impenetrable, icy shell.

He thought that upon receiving the necklace and seeing him come home for dinner, Nora would at least crack a smile, or look at him with the same devotion she used to have.

"Get some rest early. I have an international conference call tomorrow morning, so I'll have the driver take you to the studio," Gideon instructed flatly, suppressing the faint irritation bubbling in his chest.

"Okay."

Nora nodded, holding the velvet box as she turned and walked up the stairs to the second floor.

She returned to her room and casually shoved the box into the bottom drawer of her desk.

This little taste of sweetness was far too late, and entirely too cheap.