Chapter 3 - Nora Has Returned

"Nora?"

Samuel's voice sounded heavy, almost incredulous. He stood frozen in front of the door, looking at the woman who had only existed in his imagination for the past year.

Nora smiled faintly. Her face was pale, her lips dry, and her body emaciated, as if it had been through much suffering.

"I'm back, Samuel," she said softly.

Samuel was silent. He didn't know whether to be angry or happy. He raised his hand slowly, as if to make sure that the one standing before him was not a shadow.

"How come? Where have you been all this time?" His voice was hoarse. "You just disappeared on our wedding day!"

Nora stepped inside, her body trembling. "I'm sorry; it wasn't my wish, Samuel. I was kidnapped. Someone kept me captive, far away from the city. I barely even managed to escape..."

Samuel looked at her, his eyes wide. "What?!"

"Yes... I was only able to escape a week ago, and it took me a while to get back here, to you." Nora sobbed, then suddenly hugged Samuel. "I missed you, Samuel..."

For a few seconds, Samuel didn't return the hug. But then, slowly, he raised his arms and hugged back the woman he thought had left him.

From the kitchen, Rebecca emerged with a plate of bread in her hand. Her steps halted, and her eyes immediately fell on the two people who were now embracing in the doorway. It felt like her chest was being gently crushed.

Nora turned her head, and upon seeing Rebecca, her eyes narrowed.

Rebecca caught her breath. "Nora, you're back..."

Nora let go of Samuel's embrace, looking at Rebecca sharply. "What, you're not happy to see me back, huh? Rebecca, don't act like you're innocent."

Samuel looked away. "What do you mean?"

Nora stepped slowly towards Rebecca, her face full of emotional scars. "I know who sent people to kidnap me."

Rebecca frowned. "You mean?"

"Don't pretend you don't know," Nora's voice trembled. "It was you, Rebecca. You arranged all this so that you could take my place, marry Samuel, and become Mrs. Wilson."

Rebecca was wide-eyed. "What?! No! I never—"

"ENOUGH!" cut in Nora. "You think I don't know? All this time, you secretly liked Samuel. I can't believe you did this to me! You're really sneaky! You've been planning from the start to take my place."

Samuel looked at Rebecca with a changed expression—doubtful. "Rebecca... really?"

Rebecca stepped back, her heart choking. "Samuel, no! I've never done anything like that!"

"You even threatened my mother," Nora continued, crying. "I was tortured for a year! And here you are, living with the man who is supposed to be my husband!"

"Enough, Nora!" exclaimed Rebecca, her voice beginning to tremble. "I never wanted any of this to happen! I knew nothing about your kidnapping, and I never threatened Aunt Alice!"

But Nora just continued to hug Samuel, crying into his chest. "I was scared... I thought I was going to die. I thought I would never see you again."

Samuel clenched his fists, his jaw hardening.

His memory went back to the night of the fire in college—when he was trapped on the burning second floor, and a girl dragged him out, saving his life. That girl was Nora. And from that moment on, he felt he owed her his life.

Wordlessly, Samuel pulled Nora's body into his arms. Meanwhile, Rebecca stood stiffly, watching everything with eyes that began to heat up.

"So... you believe him?" Rebecca whispered. "You believe that I did it?"

Samuel gave her a flat look. "I believe what Nora said, Rebecca. So all this time you secretly loved me? And planned this to take Nora's place?"

Rebecca's tears finally spilled over.

Samuel hugged Nora even tighter.

Rebecca could no longer stand there. She turned around and ran up the stairs.

The door to the room closed loudly. Rebecca threw herself onto the bed, crying deeply. She felt helpless; Samuel easily believed what Nora said.

***

It was still quiet in the apartment when a knock came from the main door. Nora, who was sitting in the living room with Samuel, immediately stood up.

"I'll open the door first," Samuel said, taking slow steps.

The door opened. On the threshold stood a middle-aged woman. Her hair was in a neat bun. It was Alice—Nora's mother.

"Mom..." Samuel murmured, a little surprised.

Nora immediately stood up, greeting her mother. "Mommy..."

Alice looked at her daughter, then shifted to look at Samuel. "Nora, does Samuel trust you?" Alice asked.

Nora nodded, crying in her mother's arms.

Rebecca was now standing on the stairs, holding her breath as she saw the woman she trusted like a mother standing in front of Samuel.

Alice looked at Rebecca before finally looking at Samuel with a guilty expression.

"I'm sorry, Samuel. Back then... I was forced to follow Rebecca's orders," she said softly.

Instantly, the whole room seemed to collapse for Rebecca.

"What?" Rebecca whispered softly.

"Rebecca—she threatened me. She threatened to kill Nora if I didn't arrange for her to take Nora's place. I had no choice, Samuel. I just want Nora to live," Alice's mother cried. Nora froze in her mother's arms.

More tears rolled down Alice's cheeks. "I knew it was wrong... but at the time, I was scared, and Rebecca kept urging Mommy to follow all her crazy plans."

Rebecca froze in silence. Her breath caught; the world seemed to spin rapidly around her.

"Aunt Alice..." her voice was barely audible. "Why did you lie..."

"Shut up! You're too smart, Rebecca," Nora cut in, her voice loud. "But unfortunately... all your crimes have been exposed."

Samuel clenched his hands into fists. His jaw hardened. His gaze fell on Rebecca, who could no longer speak.

"So all this is true?" Samuel asked coldly. "You threatened to kill Nora for Mrs. Wilson's status?"

Rebecca shook her head quickly, tears rolling down her cheeks. "No! I never threatened anyone! Auntie, why are you slandering me, huh? You know I never—"

"Enough!" snapped Samuel. "I'm really very disappointed in you, Rebecca."

Rebecca staggered, her knees weak. Her body was trembling, not just because of the accusation, but because the person she loved the most didn't believe her at all.

Nora hugged her mother back with happy tears. Alice returned the hug, while Rebecca could only stay frozen; she couldn't prove her innocence.

Nora released the hug, then took both of Samuel's hands. "Honey, I'm back. Are you going to divorce Rebecca?"