The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 382

It was only the lack of security footage that allowed her to exploit a legal loophole and escape justice.

In the past, Gideon's sheer authority had shielded Nora; no matter how much people despised her, they had to respectfully address her as "Mrs. Hayes" in public.

But the moment the Hayes family allowed this news to spread, utilizing the media to fan the flames, Nora would lose her final layer of protection.

Countless people in the Metropolis were desperate to curry favor with the Hayes and Pierce families.

Once the world branded Nora as Giselle's killer, and once Gideon made it clear he was discarding her, a swarm of opportunists would descend like sharks smelling blood in the water.

They would relentlessly attack Nora and the entire Xavier family, using her destruction as a trophy to claim their rewards from Gideon and Julian.

"Since she loves playing manipulative games so much,"

Gideon murmured, his fingers slowly tightening around the photo of his sister's smiling face.

"Let her taste exactly what it feels like to be trampled under the feet of this entire city."

"...Yes, Mr. Hayes."

Looking into those eyes that had been completely drained of human emotion, Liam could only bow his head and accept the command.

...

In the guest room on the west wing of The Hayes Manor, sunlight rarely pierced the gloom.

Nora was locked inside, her phone and all means of communication confiscated by the guards.

Every day, a maid would unlock the door just long enough to leave simple meals on a low table before retreating in silence and locking her back in.

Nora had zero appetite. She forced herself to swallow a few bites of white rice, the sharp cramps flaring deep in her lower abdomen serving as a cruel reminder of the fragile little life growing inside her.

What if she had held onto a shred of rationality when she saw that anonymous threat email late that night?

What if she hadn't let her fury drive her to send that text to Giselle...

Would things have never escalated to this point of no return?

If Giselle hadn't gone up to the roof, the killer lying in wait would have missed their target. Giselle would still be safe in the manor, living her life as the spoiled heiress.

And Nora would have secured the funding from Julian Pierce, finalized her divorce with Gideon, and taken this tiny new life far away from all the chaos.

But now, everything was ruined.

Giselle had paid with her life to absorb a disaster that was meant for the Xavier family.

There was no turning back for any of them.