The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 21

Stepping out of the cafe into the glow of the streetlights, Nora and Lucia parted ways at the intersection.

Lucia hugged her tightly before leaving, reminding her repeatedly, "Call me if you need anything. Worst-case scenario, I'll hire guys to smash Gideon's Maybach just to make you feel better."

Nora let out a bitter chuckle, but a long-lost warmth bloomed in her chest.

In this freezing world, she had at least one friend who genuinely fought for her.

It was past eight when she returned to the luxurious hillside estate.

The living room was lit by a few dim, cold wall sconces. Nora tossed her bag on the sofa, pulled out the freshly printed divorce papers, and placed them dead center on the marble coffee table.

The sound of a car engine cutting off echoed from outside. Soon after, the fingerprint lock chimed, and Gideon walked in wearing a thin, dark gray trench coat.

"You're back?"

His tone was indifferent as he handed his jacket to an approaching maid. "Have you eaten?"

He caught sight of the documents on the table out of the corner of his eye but dismissed them, assuming they were just her usual paperwork.

He walked over to the bar, poured a glass of water, and turned to face her. "Liam said you submitted your resignation this morning? Taking a break at home is probably for the best. You've looked exhausted lately."

His voice was perfectly calm, as if the slap from last night and his cold dismissal today had never happened.

Nora stood up and took a deep breath. Looking at the man she had loved for a decade, her voice was remarkably steady. "Gideon, there's something I need to discuss with you."

Gideon paused with the glass halfway to his mouth, his brow furrowing out of habit.

Before he could speak, his phone rang urgently.

It was a customized ringtone—a crisp music-box melody reserved exclusively for Giselle's calls.

Gideon's expression shifted instantly. The fatigue on his face vanished, replaced by tension.

"Gideon!"

Nora rushed over, grabbing his wrist. Her voice pitched high in desperation.

"Just this once."

Her eyes turned red, her voice trembling. "Just this once, can you stay for me? Or... at least wait a few minutes before you go? Are my issues always going to mean less than a phone call from her?"

It was her first time explicitly begging him to stay. Just once—could he just stay for her for a single moment?

Gideon hesitated, then forcefully yanked his hand away.

He didn't look back, just leaving behind a cold statement: "She's my sister. In this family, her needs will always come first."

With that, he yanked the door open and walked out without a second glance.