The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 83

On the way back to The Hayes Manor, the atmosphere in the car was stiflingly quiet.

The Maybach cruised smoothly along the wide asphalt road. The street view blurred backward through the windows, and the amber glow of the streetlights occasionally swept into the cabin, drawing shifting lines of light and shadow between the two of them.

Leaning against the window, Nora kept her eyes on the outside world, refusing to look at the man sitting beside her.

Ever since she got into the car, the air had been thick with an oppressive silence.

Nora didn't ask why Gideon had suddenly shown up at her office building, and Gideon didn't explain why he had personally come to pick her up.

“I'll have my assistant handle those gossiping employees at the atelier.”

Gideon suddenly spoke up, his deep voice shattering the prolonged silence in the car.

Nora didn't pull her gaze away from the window. Hearing his words, her heart didn't stir with any emotion. If it were three years ago, or even a few months ago, and Gideon had been willing to stand up for her, she would have been overwhelmed with flattery, believing that she at least held a place in his heart.

But now, she only felt exhausted.

She had heard the idle gossip in the lobby loud and clear. Those people mocked her for being unloved, ridiculed her for being a pathetic decoration.

But wasn't what they said the truth? Would Gideon sending his assistant to deal with a few loose-lipped employees change the reality of her completely undignified existence in this marriage?

“There's no need.”

Nora's tone was as flat as still water, completely devoid of emotion. “Some of what they said is true. Besides, what I care about is my work, not their gossip. You don't need to trouble your people.”

She was telling the truth.

A few minutes later, Gideon spoke again.

Nora's body stiffened violently. Hearing that name, her body triggered an instinctual defensive response before her brain could even process it.

Gideon didn't notice her rigidity, continuing in his steady, matter-of-fact tone. “Silas loved her the most when he was alive. Every year around this time, she gets very upset, and her emotions are unstable.”

Nora's hands resting on her lap slowly tightened, her fingers curling inward.

“Later, when we get to the manor, no matter what anyone says, stay away from her.”

Gideon's voice carried a hint of a warning. “I don't want to see any unpleasantness happen in front of Silas's resting place. If anything makes her uncomfortable, Nora, I won't care whose fault it is.”