The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 209

"Why... won't you sign..."

Let go.

Gideon's frown returned.

In his worldview, the concept of letting go had never existed.

Whether it was the plots of land The Hayes Group eyed, the rivals he crushed, or every ounce of power he held, as long as it bore Gideon's label, there was absolutely no reason to give it up.

Arranged corporate marriages never involved feelings; this had always been the unspoken rule among elite circles.

When Silas Hayes set up this marriage, it was to repay a favor to the Xavier ancestors, and also to solidify The Hayes Group's foothold in certain sectors.

Over the past three years, the Xavier family had leveraged their status as in-laws of The Hayes Group to reap endless benefits in the Metropolitan business world, securing several massive, fail-proof projects.

This marriage was by no means a loss for the Xaviers; one could even say they had made a fortune.

He was used to this way of life. The Hayes family needed a well-behaved matriarch, and the Xaviers needed The Hayes Group's capital and protection.

The Xaviers got the commercial benefits they wanted, plugged the holes in their supply chain, and maintained their superficial glory, while Nora received the esteemed title of Mrs. Hayes.

The marriage itself was fair and logical.

Since she had signed the papers and joined the Hayes family, it meant she had accepted this contract.

The rules of the Hayes household were clear. As long as she played the part of Mrs. Hayes quietly and didn't overstep to hurt Giselle, he would ensure she lived a life of luxury forever.

If they divorced, where would the Hayes family's dignity go? And what about his grandfather's dying wish?

"You're still drunk and speaking nonsense. If you wake up with a headache tomorrow, you'll just have to bother the doctor again."

Nora listening to his emotionless statement, cried even harder.

She was his wife, after all; he couldn't just abandon her in the master bedroom alone.

He helped her lean back against the headboard. He turned and went into the bathroom, drew a basin of warm water, and walked out holding a clean, soft towel.

He sat on the edge of the bed and wrung the towel out.

Supporting the back of her head with one hand, he used the warm towel in the other to meticulously wipe the mix of tears and rainwater from her face.

His movements were incredibly light, avoiding the delicate corners of her eyes as he carefully cleaned every inch of skin on her cheeks.

Nora quieted down under the warm touch, though her brows remained tightly knit, and her breathing gradually evened out.

He unbuttoned her rain-soaked coat, pulling the cold garment off her and tossing it carelessly onto the nearby sofa.

Then, he pulled up the thick goose-down comforter, tucking it snugly around Nora and securing the edges to keep the cold draft out.