The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 13

When the international client finally departed with his security detail, Nora thought she was in the clear. She raised her fist to knock, but the door suddenly pulled open from the inside.

Giselle strolled out, clinging to Gideon's arm with a radiant smile.

She shook his arm playfully, whining up at him.

"Gideon, let's go check out the new gallery opening downtown!"

"Alright. Whatever you want."

Gideon turned to her, a faint smile ghosting his lips.

As they stepped forward, his gaze drifted and finally landed on Nora standing against the wall, tightly clutching the lunchbox.

His smile vanished instantly. His brow creased as his eyes iced over with their usual apathy.

"Why are you here?" he demanded, halting his steps.

Nora lifted the box, her throat dry. "Today is our anniversary. I made lunch..."

"I have plans tonight. I won't be home, eat without me."

Gideon interrupted her callously, not even glancing at the meal she slaved over.

He turned away, instantly slipping back into his cheerful demeanor as he escorted Giselle into his private elevator.

That night, sitting alone in the villa's dining room, Nora forced down every bite of the stone-cold food.

Nora snapped back to the present. She stood up, grabbed the white envelope from her lap, and marched over to Liam's desk.

"Mrs. Hayes, the boss is—"

Liam jumped up awkwardly, trying to run interference.

"Make sure he gets this."

Nora slapped the envelope onto his desk.

"Approved. Let her be. She's probably tired of the corporate grind. It's better she stays home and plays Mrs. Hayes. No need to stress herself out."

Liam kept his head down, terrified to say a single word.

"By the way,"

Gideon set his pen down, adding as an afterthought, "Tell Finance to double the limit on her credit card. Let her go shopping and blow off some steam."

With that handled, he deleted Nora from his mind entirely.

"Yes, sir."

Liam nodded, flipping open his itinerary. "Also, at 7 PM tonight, you have the Mayor's dinner at the State Guesthouse. We need to leave on time..."

"Cancel it."

Gideon cut him off without a second thought.