CHAPTER THREE

I stared at the text on my phone for what felt like the hundredth time.

Mrs. Sophia: Nora, please come to my office.

My thumb hovered over the screen for a while. I took a deep breath and stood up.

The moment I did, the elevator doors opened and Elara stepped out. Her heels clicked against the floor as she walked through the office like she owned the building. Heads turned immediately.

Elara smiled brightly. "You are all invited to my wedding in two weeks!"

The office erupted with Cheers, and excited voices. Then Elara's eyes found mine and a smile spread across her face, not a friendly one.

"Oh, Nora."

The room grew quieter.

"You should start shopping for something nice to wear." She tilted her head. "So security won't mistake you for an uninvited guest and throw you out."

Laughter erupted. Not everyone laughed, some looked uncomfortable, others looked away, I caught pity in some eyes.

Laura didn't even bother lowering her voice. "You really acted foolishly in that video."

I gripped my phone harder, and without saying a word, I turned and walked away.

The laughter followed me all the way to Mrs. Sophia's office. I knocked lightly.

"Come in."

The second I stepped inside, Mrs. Sophia looked up, Her face softened immediately.

"Nora."

I didn't make it another step, she was already on her feet and the hug came before I could say a word. Tears came immediately, I buried my face against her shoulder and everything I had been holding in came crashing down.

"It's okay," she whispered. Her hand rubbed my back gently. "It's okay, sweetheart."

I cried harder because hearing someone say it made me want to believe it. Eventually, the tears slowed. Mrs. Sophia guided me to the couch and handed me a towel.

"Thank you," I said embarrassed as I wiped my face.

She sat beside me and for a moment, she simply looked at me, then she sighed.

"Nora... I need to ask you something."

I nodded.

"The video." She hesitated, "Is it true?"

I blinked. "You didn't know?"

Her eyes widened. "Know what?" She looked genuinely confused.

“Yes, it's true.” A bitter laugh escaped me.

Mrs. Sophia reached for her phone calling Elara.

"No." I immediately sat up. "Please don't."

Mrs. Sophia was already dialing.

"Nora." Her voice left no room for argument.

A few minutes later, the office door opened.

Elara walked in without knocking, the moment she saw me, her smile disappeared.

"Mum." Her voice instantly sharpened. "Did you seriously call me here because of her?" She looked me up and down.

"Oh." Understanding flashed across her face. "Your office daughter needed saving again."

"Enough." Mrs. Sophia's voice cracked like a whip that even Elara paused.

Mrs. Sophia stood.

"What exactly is going on between you and Ethan Whitmore?"

Elara blinked, then laughed like the answer was obvious.

"We're getting married.” She shrugged. "Ethan and his parents are coming for dinner tonight."

My stomach twisted, Mrs. Sophia looked stunned.

"Tonight?"

"Grandmother approved it." Elara crossed her arms. "So why am I here?"

The room fell silent. Slowly, disappointment filled Mrs Sophia's eyes.

"Everyone knows Ethan was dating Nora."

Elara rolled her eyes. "So?"

Mrs. Sophia stared at her.

"What do you want me to do?" Elara snapped. "Cancel my wedding?"

The tension in the room thickened, then suddenly Elara looked at me and laughed, enough to make me feel small.

"You're still hoping, aren't you?"

I clenched my fists.

Mrs. Sophia stepped forward. "Elara."

But Elara ignored her. She walked toward me, one step, then another, and then— SLAP.

My head snapped sideways. For a second, everything froze, the sting spread across my cheek, hot and humiliating.

"Elara!" Mrs. Sophia shouted.

The shock left me unable to speak.

"You pathetic little thing." Elara's eyes burned with contempt. "Acting as Ethan belongs to you."

"What is wrong with you?" Mrs. Sophia demanded.

Elara spun around. "No. What's wrong with you?"

Her voice rose. "You always take her side."

"Because you're behaving terribly!"

"Because she's always playing victim!"

The two women stared at each other, mother and daughter, neither willing to back down, then Elara turned back to me.

"Ethan doesn't love you."

My eyes filled with tears. "He does." I even heard how weak I sounded.

Elara laughed, a real laugh this time.

"Oh, Nora." She stepped closer. "So let me ask you something… Did Ethan ever kiss you?"

My heart stopped. Elara saw it and smiled wider.

"That's what I thought."

My mouth went dry.

"Did he ever touch you?"

The memories hit all at once. Three years together yet Ethan always pulled away, always had an excuse. Always said he respected me and wanted to wait. I thought it meant he cared and he was sweet, Now...Now it felt different.

"Nora." Elara's voice cut through my thoughts. "He never loved you."

Fresh tears slid down my cheeks. She leaned closer, and I could smell her perfume. 

“Every outing, every phone call and message, every date, I approved all of it."

My breath caught.

"What?"

Her smile widened. "Ethan wanted me."

The room spun.

"He got close to you because of me."

"No." The word barely escaped.

"Oh yes." She looked delighted. "For two years, he did exactly what I allowed him to do."

Everything suddenly made sense to me, and tears began to fall my face.

Elara shook her head. "You really never figured it out." 

Then she turned toward her mother. "Don't be late tonight." She smoothed her dress. "And try not to ruin my engagement dinner." The door slammed behind her.

Silence followed, 

HEAVY.

PAINFUL. 

I stared at the floor, unable to breathe properly.

"Nora." Mrs. Sophia's voice trembled.

I looked up, and to my surprise, tears filled her eyes too.

"I am so sorry." She sobbed.

That broke me completely, I moved toward her and suddenly we were hugging each other, both crying.

Neither of us knew what to say.

For years, Mrs. Sophia had treated me more like family than anyone else, and right now, she looked just as heartbroken as I felt. Eventually, we pulled apart.

I wiped my face. "I should go."

She nodded slowly. 

"Alright." Then she squeezed my hand. "I'll check on you later."

I forced a smile, but deep down, I already knew today was my last day at Hart Foundation.

The moment I returned to my desk, I pulled out a sheet of paper and started writing. By the time I was done, my resignation letter sat neatly in front of me. I signed my name neatly, Nora Quinn.

Mrs. Sophia looked devastated when I placed the letter on her desk.

"Nora."

I looked away.

"If this is because of Elara—"

"It's not just Elara." My voice was calm. "I can't work like this anymore."

She sighed heavily. "You could take a vacation."

"No." 

"Three months… or six months.”

I shook my head. "No."

"Nora—"

"Please." The word came out softer than intended. "Just let me go."

Mrs. Sophia stared at me for a long moment, then slowly raised her hands.

"Fine." Then her eyes narrowed. "But I'm not letting you wander around Blackthorn unemployed."

Before I could speak, she grabbed her phone and made a quick call, then she smiled.

"You have an interview at Kingsley Holdings in one hour."

My eyes widened. "What?"

"You heard me."

For the first time all day, hope flickered inside me.

"Thank you."

I rushed forward and hugged her, she laughed softly and patted my back.

"Go."

Then as I reached the door— "Nora."

I turned.

Mrs. Sophia smiled sadly. "Good luck, I will miss you.”

Emotion clogged my throat.

"I'll miss you too."

An hour later, I found myself sitting inside the lobby of Kingsley Holdings. The building screamed power, everything looked expensive and polished.

I suddenly felt very underdressed. A woman approached me.

"Are you Nora Quinn?"

"Yes."

She smiled. "Mr. Liam Kingsley will see you now."

I followed her to the elevator, and a minute later, she opened a massive office door.

"Go right in."

I stepped inside and froze. Liam Kingsley sat behind a large desk, looking powerful, composed, and intimidating.

His gaze lifted. "Sit."

I obeyed immediately. For several minutes, he read through my file and silence stretched, then—

"Miss Quinn."

I straightened.

"I wasn't expecting you so soon."

I frowned. "Excuse me?"

He tapped the folder, then looked directly at me.

"So you're the woman from Bluebird Kitchen."

My stomach dropped. Of course, he knew.

"If this interview is about my personal life, I'd rather leave."

A flicker of amusement crossed his face, and he left almost immediately.

"I came here for a job interview." I met his gaze.

"Not to discuss my ex-boyfriend's engagement."

Silence, then he nodded.

"Interesting."

I frowned. "Is that a compliment?"

"No." His expression remained unreadable. "It's an observation."

I stood.

"I think we're done here, sir." I turned toward the door.

"Miss Quinn."

I paused. "Yes?"

His next question caught me completely off guard.

"Are you married?"

"What?— No."

He nodded once, as though confirming something.

Then he folded his hands on the desk.

"I have a proposal for you."

A strange feeling settled in my stomach as I stared at him.

"What kind of proposal?"

His eyes locked onto mine, and the next words nearly stopped my heart.

"Would you be willing to be my wife for one year?”