The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 111

Nora stared blankly at Gideon.

She looked at the handsome, sharp face so close to hers, feeling the scorching heat radiating from his palm.

For an entire ten years, no matter what kind of cold stares or mockery she faced, she had always gritted her teeth and endured it alone. Gideon had always been the one standing above it all, watching coldly—in fact, most of the time, he was the very source of her pain.

She thought she would never wait long enough to earn his protection.

Yet today, just moments ago, this man had stepped unconditionally in front of her.

For the very first time, Nora truly felt a sense of safety from this man.

A sudden ache struck her nose, and a warm layer of moisture uncontrollably filled her eyes.

She shook her head and wrapped her fingers tightly around his hand in return.

The gala ended early due to the little incident.

On the ride back, Gideon leaned against his seat, closing his eyes and rubbing his temples. Though the event was minor, it had definitely ruined the mood.

Nora turned her head, looking at his tired profile. The streetlights flickered across his face in alternating flashes of light and shadow.

"Gideon."

She called his name softly.

He opened his eyes and turned to look at her, his deep gaze intensely focused in the dim light of the car.

"Tonight... thank you."

She was thanking him for introducing her to Pierre, and even more for stepping up for her without a second thought.

Looking at the earnest gratitude in her eyes, Gideon's brows furrowed involuntarily.

Her eyes were completely clear, devoid of any ulterior motives. She was genuinely thanking him from the bottom of her heart just because he had stepped in to handle Seraphina.

Seeing Nora express such profound gratitude over something so trivial sent an inexplicably heavy weight crashing into his chest.

Nora was entirely caught off guard by the sudden hug. Her cheek pressed against his hard chest, listening to the rapid thud of his heartbeat.

"Gideon..." she began, flustered.

"Don't say thank you to me."

His voice was painfully hoarse.

He held her tight in the dark, closing his eyes.

"From now on, you'll never need to thank me again."

...

The Maybach pulled smoothly into the driveway of their villa.

Nora followed Gideon into the living room, his husky whisper from the car still echoing endlessly in her mind.