The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 228

Gideon was seriously overestimating her status in this house.

Nathan now trailed after Giselle like a dog every single day. He wouldn't even listen to his own parents, so why would he ever listen to the warnings of his 'wicked sister'?

Her own life was already a total wreck; she had no energy left to discipline a possessed Nathan.

Nora looked away, picked up her long-cold tea, and took a sip, completely ignoring Gideon's silent cue.

Seeing Nora's apathetic, none-of-my-business attitude, Gideon's jaw tightened, and the chill in his eyes deepened.

"You seem to care more about Giselle's affairs than the business of Xavier Enterprises."

Gideon suddenly spoke up, his voice low.

"The Hayes family isn't exactly lacking an antique bracelet. I've already had the brands send accessories directly to the estate for Giselle's art exhibition. You can keep your little trinket for yourself."

Being shut down to his face, Nathan's cheeks flushed bright red. He stiffened his neck and retorted, "Giselle likes what she likes, she doesn't need you making decisions for her, Gideon! It's her choice whether she accepts my gift or not!"

"Enough!"

Sensing the situation going south, her dad slammed his hand on the table, stood up, and pointed right at Nathan's nose, cursing. "You little bastard, get your ass back to your room right now! Stop embarrassing us in front of everyone!"

Nathan shot Nora a vicious glare, hugged his box, turned on his heel, and stormed out the front door without looking back.

The living room plunged into a deathly silence once again. Her mom awkwardly forced a smile, desperately trying to ease the tension, while her dad, sweating profusely, stumbled through an explanation to Gideon.

Nora sat in her seat, watching this absurd farce play out, feeling nothing but utterly exhausted.

She didn't want to stay in this suffocating space a second longer, didn't want to watch her parents kiss up to Gideon, and certainly didn't want to decipher whether Gideon was currently acting out of jealousy over Giselle or blaming her for failing to control her brother.

"Dad, Mom, I just came back to grab some files."

She took a deep breath, stepped aside, and pushed the door all the way open.

"Come in."

Nora spat out the two words stiffly and walked into the room first.

Gideon stepped over the threshold, his long legs carrying him into this bedroom that still hummed with the pulse of everyday life.

The room remained exactly as Nora had left it before she got married. Light blue curtains, a white bookshelf, and a few worn stuffed animals resting on the nightstand.

Everything breathed a vivid, genuine warmth, standing in stark contrast to the cold, eternally immaculate Hayes villa.

"What are you doing here?"

Nora spun around, crossing her arms over her chest, eyeing the man standing in the center of her room with blatant guardedness.