Chapter 4

Out of sight, out of mind.

I got up, locked the door, turned off the light, and went to sleep. I didn't know how long I had been asleep when Ray's furious pounding on the door woke me up.

"Nora, why did you lock the door? Are you trying to keep me out?

"We're about to get married, and you're still shutting me out like this? What's that supposed to mean?"

He went on and on, complaining endlessly.

I responded calmly, "I'm not feeling well tonight. Find somewhere else to sleep."

Hearing this, Ray let out a cold, bitter laugh. "Fine. If you won't let me in, there are plenty of others who will. Just don't regret it later."

After that, he stopped knocking. His outburst had killed any chance of sleep. I lay in bed wide awake, so I got up and continued reading.

Ray called me a bookworm, and he wasn't wrong. I had loved reading since I was a child.

I met Ray in high school. Back then, my grades were excellent, but I didn't have many friends. I was often bullied by other students because of my academic success.

Only Ray protected me.

Later, during a fight, he injured a classmate who had been harassing me and got expelled from school. From that moment on, I became dependent on him. I went along with everything he wanted, unwilling to see him hurt because of me.

That was how I ended up being his cash cow for ten years in my previous life.

But I had paid back everything I owed him in that life. In this one, I was living for myself.

Around midnight, I got thirsty from reading. I went out to get a glass of water and ran into Ray coming out of Shannon's room.

His eyes went wide when he saw me, and he looked genuinely panicked. He stammered for a moment before finally speaking.

"Nora, it's not what you think. I just needed to grab a pillow and blanket from Shannon's room."

I nodded faintly, not bothering to argue with him. "It's fine. I understand."

With that, I took my water and went back to my room. Ray stared at me, speechless. He followed me, nearly getting hit in the face when I suddenly closed the door.

After I locked it again, his confused and angry voice came through. "Nora, what the hell is wrong with you? Are you throwing a tantrum now?"

I had to admit, this was the first time I realized just how loud he was. I pulled the blanket over my head to muffle the sound.

The next morning, when I came out to the living room, I immediately noticed the table was covered with breakfast.

The moment they saw me, Ray and Shannon, who had been chatting and laughing, fell silent. The cheerful atmosphere came to an abrupt halt.

Ray glanced at me coldly. "Look who finally decided to show her face. I was starting to think you had a man in there."

Shannon raised an eyebrow and chimed in with a mocking tone. "Really, Nora, this isn't right. You're marrying Ray, and you're still playing the innocent maiden?

"If Ray hadn't protected you back then, who knows how many guys would have had their way with you. Who knows if they even got to you or not. And now you're putting on this act."

In that instant, my eyes burned red. I stared at Ray in disbelief. He knew exactly what would hurt me most.

He had promised never to tell anyone about what happened back then. Yet now, he was using it like a knife to stab me in the heart.

Faced with my silent accusation, Ray lowered his head guiltily, unable to meet my eyes. I bit down so hard on my lip that it bled. Each word came out slowly and deliberately.

"Don't you have anything to say?"

He slammed his fork down defensively. "Say what? I'm telling the truth. I was late that day. For all I know, someone could have gotten to you.

"I've put up with you for years, and last night you still played the innocent and locked me out of the bedroom."

I blinked back the tears and laughed softly, looking at him with cold clarity. Finally, I understood why he had lied to me for ten years in my previous life.

I wiped away tears I hadn't realized were falling and turned back to my room. Ray seemed surprised by my silence. He started to stand up to follow me, but Shannon pulled him back.

I stayed in the bedroom all day, packing my luggage. By evening, the rumble of a car engine sounded outside. Soon after, someone knocked on the door.

"Excuse me, is Nora Spencer home?"

Ray opened the door, probably thinking it was the post office delivering my documents. Just as he was about to speak, I walked out with my suitcase and pushed past him.

"I'm Nora Spencer. I'm ready to go."

Ray stumbled slightly. He stared at my suitcase, then grabbed my arm tightly. His voice trembled with panic.

"Nora, what do you think you're doing?"