CH 4

Nora Hastings

Ellen gave a dismissive smile and waved her hand. “Then find someone! What are you waiting for?”

Damian offered no response. He merely smiled faintly.

Ellen then turned her attention to Ryan and me. “You’ve been married for five years. That’s a long time. So, when are you going to give me a great-grandchild?”

The atmosphere on the terrace shifted instantly.

My fingers tightened around my teacup until my knuckles turned white. It was a painful subject. One I had learned to dread because every mention reopened an old wound.

Clara, Ryan’s cousin, immediately seized the opportunity.

Leaning forward with a mocking smile, she said, “If Ryan hadn’t insisted on marrying you, do you honestly think someone with your background could have become part of the Kingsley family? You should know your place. You don’t want to give Ryan children, but there are plenty of women who would be more than willing.”

Her words were wrapped in false concern, but the contempt in her eyes was unmistakable. Clara had never tried to hide how little she thought of me.

The subject of children had always been painful.

Of course, I wanted to be a mother. I’d even given up my career in finance to devote myself to being a good wife. But despite years of trying, I still couldn’t conceive.

I’d consulted numerous gynecologists, undergone examinations, and searched for answers. Yet none of the doctors had found anything physically wrong with me. Perhaps stress played a part, but no one could explain it.

That hadn’t stopped the Kingsley family from making cruel remarks. They called me barren, useless, and unworthy of being Ryan’s wife.

I was still struggling to contain my humiliation when Ryan suddenly reached for my hand.

He gave Ellen a reassuring smile. “Grandma, we’re trying. There’s no need to rush things. We have to let nature take its course.”

Then he turned to Clara, his expression hardening. “Watch your words. Nora is my wife, and I won’t tolerate anyone speaking to her like that.”

Clara’s face flushed with embarrassment at being reprimanded in front of everyone.

“I’m only trying to help you. You’ve been married for five years, and there’s still no progress.”

“Enough!” Ryan snapped. “You don’t need to concern yourself with our marriage. And let me make one thing clear: I’m honored to have Nora as my wife. She didn’t marry up. I chose her because I love her.”

His words left me with conflicting emotions.

For five years, Ryan had always defended me against his family. He had stood between me and their cruel remarks, making me believe I would never have to face them alone.

His protection had always felt genuine. So had his betrayal.

Clara, however, wasn’t ready to back down. She tilted her head and put on another sugary smile.

“I’m only stating the obvious. Five years without a pregnancy? Isn’t that strange? Maybe there’s nothing physically wrong with her, but with all the advances in modern medicine, she should get checked again. There are treatments for these things.”

“I’m warning you for the last time,” Ryan said, his voice turning dangerously cold. “Our marriage is none of your business. Stay out of it.”

In the past, I would have been grateful for his defense. I might even have squeezed his hand beneath the table to show him how much his support meant to me. But tonight, his words only made my chest ache.

How could he stand here and defend me so convincingly when he had spent the previous night in another woman’s bed?

Halfway through the banquet, Ryan’s phone suddenly rang.

He glanced at the screen before answering. After a brief conversation, he turned to the family with an apologetic expression.

“I’m sorry. There’s an emergency at work. I need to take care of it immediately.”

Then he looked at me, his expression softening. “Baby, I’m sorry. You can ask Grandma’s driver to take you home. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“Go ahead, Ryan. Don’t worry about Nora,” Ellen said, waving him off.

Ryan leaned over and kissed my forehead before leaving. I watched his car disappear into the darkness.

And just like that, Ellen’s pleasant expression vanished. She turned toward me, her gaze suddenly cold and disapproving.

“Well, Ryan is gone now. I suppose you’ll want to leave, too.”

The warmth that had once filled the terrace disappeared. The remaining guests exchanged glances, while the atmosphere grew increasingly hostile.

“She can find her own way home, can’t she?” Clara chimed in, her confidence returning now that Ryan was no longer around.

My cheeks burned with humiliation.

Apparently, without Ryan beside me, I was no longer worth treating with even the slightest courtesy.

“Then I think it’s time for me to leave,” I said quietly. I stood and straightened my dress.

“Thank you for the hospitality.”

Ellen didn’t bother responding. Instead, she instructed the head butler to escort me to the main gate before turning and walking back into the mansion.

The butler left me there, alone at the roadside.

It was late, and the area surrounding the estate was deserted. There were hardly any passing cars, and the nearest main road was some distance away.

Then, it started raining.

At first, only a few drops landed on my shoulders. Within moments, the rain grew heavier, soaking my hair and dress.

I hurriedly took out my phone and tried to book a ride. But the heavy rain and the estate’s secluded location made it difficult to find an available driver.

I refreshed the app multiple times.

Nothing.

Within minutes, I was drenched. I wiped the rain from my face and swept my wet hair away from my eyes. My dress clung uncomfortably to my body, and the cold began seeping through the fabric.

I stared at my phone, wondering how much worse the evening could get.

Then headlights sliced through the darkness. A dark blue Bentley slowed and pulled up beside me.

The passenger window rolled down. Damian Kingsley’s sharply defined features appeared in the dim light.