Chapter 5

Travis’s brows knit slightly. “I told you to go home, didn’t I?”

“I couldn’t just leave when Quinton’s still sick,” Lily said gently, placing the lunch box on the nightstand. She opened it and plated the food. “He asked for pancakes, so I went home and made them myself. Try some while they’re still warm.”

The pancakes smelled sweet and comforting, and they looked pretty good.

Travis wasn’t hungry, but he took a bite anyway—mostly to humor Lily.

And yet, the first thought that popped into his mind caught him completely off guard:

Not as good as the ones Mom used to make.

“Travis,” Lily’s soft voice pulled him back to the present, “Nora’s probably just acting out of frustration. If you talk to her calmly, I’m sure she’ll come around.”

She sighed delicately.

“I’ve tried calling to apologize, but she won’t answer my calls or agree to meet…”

That alone made Travis’s mood sour further.

“She’s not worth worrying about,” he said curtly. “Let her figure things out on her own.”

He had no intention of backing down. If he gave in now, she’d only push further—especially using their son as leverage. He couldn’t afford to lose ground on something so fundamental.

—

The next morning, Nora Yates got up early and headed straight to Horizon Corporation, carrying her ID and documentation.

The company had hosted the design competition she’d entered. The goal: to recruit top-tier designers for a major new project.

Winners would be awarded an all-expenses-paid opportunity to study abroad.

Nora knew she didn’t have the experience of veteran designers, so she’d poured herself into it—analyzing past winners’ work, researching materials, sourcing fabric herself. It had taken everything she had, but in the end, she won.

And now, all Travis had to do was say a few words to make her hand it over to Lily.

His excuse?

Quinton was still young and needed her. Plus, Travis knew Horizon’s CEO personally. If Nora agreed to “step aside,” he could make it all go smoothly.

Too bad Nora had no intention of playing along.

Her car pulled up in front of the company. She stepped out and headed for the building.

The deadline to sign the contract was just days away. As she approached the elevator, a familiar voice stopped her.

“Nora?”

She turned. Lily stood there in full makeup, surprise written all over her face. Travis was beside her, cold and unreadable.

“Nora, you didn’t answer any of Travis’s calls—we were worried! I thought something might’ve happened to you.”

Lily rushed forward with a warm smile and reached for Nora’s hand.

“Quinton’s still in the hospital. He’s been asking to see you nonstop. If you’re okay, why not visit him?”

Nora took a step back, avoiding her touch.

“Sorry. I’m busy,” she said coolly. “I’m here to sign the final contract for the study program. No time for small talk.”

She turned to leave—but Travis caught her wrist. His voice dropped low behind her.

“Did I say you could go?”

The moment she saw Travis and Lily together here, Nora already had a good idea what they were up to.

She tried to pull her hand free, but his grip was tight.

"Is there a reason you’re stopping me?" she asked, voice flat.

Travis had come ready to scold her for neglecting their son, but when he saw the detached look in her eyes, the words stuck in his throat.

Then he glanced at the folder in her hand.

“So… this exchange program is more important to you than our son?”

Lily’s eyes welled up with tears, her voice trembling on cue.

“Nora, if you wanted to go abroad, you could’ve just said so.

You didn’t have to use Quinton as leverage. He’s just a child… no matter what’s going on, he’s innocent…”

Her voice rose just enough to attract attention.

A small crowd had begun to gather.

Nora’s face had already been posted online as the grand prize winner of the competition. Some people recognized her immediately.

“Isn’t that the girl who won top prize? I heard nine out of ten judges gave her full marks. That’s never happened before!”

“She looks so young… but wait, does she have a kid?”

“You’ve got a kid and you’re still trying to study overseas? What’s she gonna do, drag the poor kid abroad? That’s so irresponsible…”

Nora didn’t react. She ignored the murmurs, her gaze steady as it landed on Lily.

“What did I do, exactly?” she asked, voice soft but firm. “Did I hit him? Did I yell at him? Abuse him in some way?”

“He has a chronic digestive issue—everyone knows that. So tell me, who took him to eat fried chicken and gave him acute gastroenteritis? That wasn’t me, was it?”

Lily flushed bright red. “I… I didn’t know…”

Nora cut her off coldly.

“Besides, weren’t you and my husband both there with him at the hospital? So perfect together. So lovely. Why would I want to show up and ruin the moment? I’d hate to intrude on such a happy little family.”

Her words hit like a bomb.

The crowd went dead silent. Then the whispers exploded.

“Wait—what does she mean by that?”

“Is the other woman his mistress?”

“No way—she’s actually bragging about it? The nerve…”

Lily’s face turned pale. She opened her mouth to defend herself, but nothing came out.

If she claimed innocence now, she’d only make herself look guiltier.

Travis’s frown deepened.

Nora had never spoken to him like this. She’d always been quiet, docile, barely noticeable.

But now…

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a few people filming. Phones were out. Pictures were being taken.

Grim-faced, he tightened his grip on Nora’s wrist and pulled her toward the exit.

“Let’s talk somewhere else.”

Nora didn’t resist. She didn’t want to cause a bigger scene—she had to work here, after all.

—

In a nearby café, she sat down casually, arms crossed, her expression cool.

“Whatever it is, say it. I don’t have time to waste.”

Travis’s frustration flared again.

“If this opportunity means so much to you, I’ll ask Lily to give it up.”

Lily’s expression cracked. “Travis…”

She didn’t care about the overseas program itself.

But because it belonged to Nora—she had to have it.

Travis ignored her, looking only at Nora.

“Just this once. Don’t expect it to happen again.”

But Nora chuckled.

“Give it up?”

She leaned forward, chin resting on her palm, voice dripping with mockery.

“This opportunity—I earned it with my own skills. I won that competition fair and square. What makes you think I need anyone’s permission?

“Who the hell do you think you are?”