The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 267

Sitting quietly beside him, Nora clearly felt the tightening, oppressive force on the back of her hand.

Just as she was about to frown, Gideon's fingers froze like he had been shocked the moment he sensed her faint resistance.

Realizing his out-of-control strength might hurt her, he immediately loosened his grip.

Turning his head, Gideon shifted his gaze from the phone screen to Nora's face.

"Sorry, did I hurt you?"

He lowered his voice, his tone laced with obvious tension and guilt.

Nora sat in her seat, coldly taking in his panicked expression. In response to his apology, she merely shook her head.

She looked down at her hand.

Truth be told, Gideon had let go just in time.

That momentary squeeze had merely added a bit of pressure without actually disturbing her scabbed wounds or causing any real pain.

She didn't need this overly cautious attitude, as if he were terrified of breaking something.

Three years of his cold violence and neglect had already forged her an impenetrable armor.

She wasn't nearly as fragile as Giselle, nor was she like that little princess who had been coddled by two men her entire life—someone who would have two men crossing time and space to fret over her and blame others just for wearing a metal-chain necklace.

She didn't need him fussing over her in a panic just because of a trivial touch.

Giselle would cry out loudly for comfort when she fell, but Nora would simply grit her teeth and pick herself up.

Besides, just a few days ago at the South Hill Equestrian Club, he had mercilessly thrown her onto the hard gravel in his rush to beat up Julian.

He hadn't bothered to ask if it hurt then, had he?

Now, this delayed show of concern, clearly meant to cover up his loss of composure, only struck her as utterly ridiculous.

Seeing Nora shake her head to indicate she was fine, Gideon let out a visible sigh of relief.

He withdrew his gaze and refocused all his attention on the glowing phone screen.

What if...

What if Julian was actually a good match?

The Pierce Group rivaled the Hayes Group in power, and Julian was incredibly resourceful, more than capable of protecting Giselle in the business world.

What if Giselle really liked him? What if she genuinely wanted to be with that man?

What could he do?

In what capacity could he stop her? As her brother?

She was his sister.

His only living relative in this world.

He remembered back in that run-down St. Jude's Children's Home, how Giselle had hidden behind him, clutching the hem of his shirt, looking timidly out at the world. He had sworn to give her the best life possible.