The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 289

The Maybach pulled up to the curb on a quiet street a few blocks away.

Sitting in the driver's seat, Gideon looked through the windshield and spotted the warm yellow glow of a dessert shop on the corner.

Through the floor-to-ceiling glass window, he found the woman who had driven him to the brink of insanity.

Nora sat at a window-side table with a strawberry shortcake in front of her, a single colorful candle burning in the center. Her hands were clasped together under her chin, her eyes tightly shut as she made a wish to the fragile flame.

Gideon shoved the car door open and took long, urgent strides toward the shop.

Ding-ling—

The brass bell above the door chimed brightly.

Having finished her silent wish, Nora was just about to open her eyes and blow out the candle.

The sound of heavy, steady footsteps echoed through the quiet shop, drawing closer until they stopped right at her table.

Then, the empty chair across from her was pulled out. A tall figure, carrying the chill of the night wind, sat down firmly.

Nora slowly opened her eyes.

When she registered who was sitting across from her, she froze completely.

Gideon was dressed in his expensive dark-grey tailored suit, but his tie hung loose, having been tugged askew during his frantic run.

His dark hair fell messily over his brow bone, and those eyes—usually so cold and impenetrable—were completely bloodshot. His broad chest heaved heavily as he fought to catch his breath.

He looked entirely unhinged, utterly stripped of the calm, untouchable aura of a corporate titan.

Nora stared at him blankly, feeling as if she were trapped in an absurd hallucination.

"What are you doing here?"

Her voice was whisper-soft, heavy with sheer disbelief.

Just moments ago, he had been in the Manor's bedroom, holding Giselle in a desperate embrace, screaming himself hoarse to stop the girl from leaving.

How was he suddenly sitting across from her in a cheap, empty dessert shop on a deserted street?

Gideon looked at Nora with profound heaviness, his tone more serious and sincere than it had ever been. "I made sure she was settled, and then I came straight for you. I promised I would celebrate your birthday with you."

Nora lowered her eyes, avoiding his obsessive, burning gaze.

"My birthday is already over. You don't need to feel like you owe me anything," she stated flatly.

Gideon didn't argue.

He reached into the inner pocket of his suit jacket and pulled out a dark blue velvet box.

It was a small box devoid of any luxury branding. The velvet edges felt slightly warm from resting against his chest for so long.

Gideon placed the velvet box on the table, using his long fingers to slide it directly in front of her.

Nora stared at the unfamiliar box, not reaching for it, her eyes guarded and suspicious.

"Those antique drafts in the gallery... those are the things you love most as a designer. I bought them to support your career."