Trash Husband, I'm the Top novel Chapter 395

Eleanor lingered in the small garden for what felt like an eternity.

The cold wind cut through her, leaving her chilled to the bone.

From where she stood, she could see straight into the living room through the bright windows. Laughter and cheerful voices floated out. Nora sat right beside Hans, leaning in to whisper something; Hans’s smile was soft and indulgent.

Eleanor saw it all with painful clarity—Nora had that kind of charm, the sort you couldn’t compete with. She could steal Hans away in the blink of an eye.

No, Eleanor thought bitterly, she already has. Nora has taken Hans from me—taken the only thing I ever truly had.

Inside, the warmth was almost tangible. Nora was opening her gift bag, pulling out a bottle of perfume and handing it to Mrs. Cooper.

A delicate fragrance drifted into the air, elegant and soothing—a scent that seemed made just for her.

“You have such wonderful taste, Aurora,” Mrs. Cooper said, clearly delighted.

Shirley couldn’t hide her envy. “It smells amazing, Aurora. If you ever have time, would you make one for me too?”

She spoke lightly, not wanting to impose, and quickly added, “I’m in no rush, of course.”

Nora smiled and reached into her bag again. “Actually, this one’s for you, Shirley.”

Shirley’s eyes lit up in surprise as she accepted the bottle. “Really? For me?”

“Of course,” Nora replied. “You’ve helped me so much with Payne—I’m truly grateful.”

Old Mrs. Cooper urged, “Go on, Shirley, try it!”

Shirley spritzed a little on her wrist. This scent was even softer, perfectly suited to her gentle nature.

She quickly tucked the perfume away, unwilling to waste another drop. “Well, then, I won’t bother with polite refusals.”

“We’re family—there’s no need for that,” Mrs. Cooper said warmly.

Mary, watching from across the room, had assumed she’d be next. But then Nora simply sat down again, as if that was the end of it. There was no third bottle.

Shirley leaned in, whispering to Nora, “You shouldn’t single her out like that. Mary’s got a temper—she’ll try to make trouble for you.”

Nora just shrugged. “I treat people the way they treat me. If someone can’t be bothered to be civil, I don’t see why I should go out of my way for them.”

After the scene Mary had caused at the hospital, Nora thought, she wouldn’t make her perfume if she begged for it.

Hans, ever the loyal brother, sided with her. “Aurora’s right. We don’t need to chase after people who look down on us.”

Shirley sighed, realizing both siblings were stubborn in their own ways.

Saturday evening came.

Nora accompanied Mrs. Cooper to Louis and Judy’s engagement party.

As soon as they arrived, Mrs. Winters spotted Nora and pulled her aside for a long chat, asking after Payne and how he was doing.