The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 20

All the fierce edge had drained from his normally rebellious eyes, replaced by an obsessive focus as he stared at Giselle's back.

Nora knew that look entirely too well. It was the same expression Gideon and Quentin Yates and their crowd had whenever they looked at Giselle.

After that party, Nathan's attitude toward Giselle did a complete one-eighty.

He started frequenting her social circles, finding every excuse to shower her with limited-edition bags and jewelry.

Whenever she got into an argument, he blindly took her side, acting as her ultimate defender.

Watching her brother's unnatural behavior, a sense of dread took root in Nora's chest.

She tried warning Nathan that the Hayes family darling was spoiled and reckless, telling him to keep his distance.

"Nora, I actually came to talk to you about something today."

Nathan frowned, his gaze full of confusion and blame. "Could you maybe be a little nicer to Giselle from now on? Just let things go instead of constantly targeting her."

Nora was stunned. "What are you talking about?"

Nathan tugged at his tie in frustration. "She grew up without parents and was sheltered by the Hayes family. She's innocent and a bit blunt, but she doesn't have a mean bone in her body. Why do you always have to fight with her?"

"Targeting her?"

Nora found the accusation so utterly absurd that her voice rose. "Nathan, do you have any idea what she says about me? Do you know she comes here just to flaunt her power? I am your own flesh and blood!"

"So what! Does being my sister give you the right to be unreasonable?"

Nathan snapped back, cutting her off mercilessly. "Giselle is naive and kind. She cries over injured strays; she doesn't know the first thing about being manipulative. But you? You walk around with a miserable look on your face like the whole world owes you millions of dollars!"

"You practically forced your way into the Hayes family when Gideon didn't even love you. You hog the title of Mrs. Hayes and make it impossible for them to even feel comfortable in their own home. Everything you have is because our family leveraged it for you. What gives you the right to act so superior around Giselle?"

Nora slowly lifted her head, staring at the brother who suddenly felt like a stranger.

Her parents sacrificed her for profit, her brother bowed to Giselle after one glance, and her husband publicly trampled her dignity for a sister with no blood ties.

It seemed the whole world was trying to tell her that Giselle was perfect and untouchable, while Nora's pain was merely a product of her own petty bitterness.

And what about her?

She had endured everything, compromising at every turn.

She had buried her pride, adapting to the Hayes family rules to become the flawless wife, an impeccable daughter-in-law.

She exhausted herself for Gideon's career, swallowing her grievances just to save face for the family.

She fought desperately to fit into their circle, just for one glance of approval.

And all she got in return was to be labeled a miserable outsider that everyone wanted to avoid.