Chapter 6

Nora stilled, her expression turning awkward. Marco immediately knew this kind of look — she definitely did.

His body trembled as he lashed out. "Why would you do that? Huh? Why would you cheat on him? He treated us well! He introduced you to the entertainment industry! He's our family savior, but you went ahead and slept with some bastard outside! How could you do that?!" He said in agitation, veins popping on his neck with every word he spat.

Nora's hand clenched by the side, her knuckles turning white. Her lips quivered as she struggled not to talk, or her voice would rise higher than she expected and it would trigger his condition.

She inhaled deeply to rein in her anger. "Rest first, we will talk later."

She turned around, preparing to excuse herself but he stomped his feet on the floor, snarling. "Don't go anywhere! That's how you always hide when you're guilty! I don't care why you cheated on him, but it's a disgraceful and thoughtless thing to do to someone that always treated us well! You need to go and apologize to him."

Nora ran a hand through her hair, trying her hardest to keep her voice soft. "I said... Go and rest, Marco. We will talk about this later."

But she should have known the brother she has. He might not have anything, his stubbornness however was his number one asset.

He didn't let go of her hand, his green eyes boring into hers, the opposite of her calm ones. "What's there to talk about? It's better to plead with him now than to make it any later! An apology is only meaningful when it’s done at the right time!” His grip on her hand tightened, his nails digging into her skin, it was a bit painful, but he didn't seem to realize as he added seriously. “If we wait, he might never forgive you. He might never look at us the same again. Don’t you get it, Nora? You are about to ruin everything!”

"Will you... just let me go?" Nora asked, staring at him in the eyes, a hint of annoyance detectable. There was a limit to what she could tolerate after all, and certainly not mistrust, especially from someone so close to her skin. However, there was still a faint rationality holding her back, and she tried wriggling her arm free instead.

Yet, Marco was unrelenting. He wouldn't release his hold. Even though they were both Omegas, there was still a difference in strength, and she was also holding back.

He shook his head firmly. "No! I won't! Not until you apologize and he accepted it!"

Her eyes narrowed threateningly. "So you're planning on holding on to me forever?"

"You're not planning to do anything after all?!" He glared, enraged.

Nora pursed her lips.

Of course, she could have told Marco what had happened — she could have hand him the horrible truth. Unfortunately, she was more worried about his condition than clearing her own name. And knowing the kind of person he is, he might get even more impulsive and try to hurt Carlo when she goes to work. Overall, it wasn't a wise choice.

She sighed. "Marco... Listen to me for once, will you?"

He shook his head, eyes firm. "Listen to you?! I've always done so! It's your turn to do the same — apologize to the innocent man!"

"He's not innocent! Stop painting him as one, will you?!"

"Yes he is! You're just being shameless and trying to deflect the blame! He's always been nice, good, and kind to you! To us! When our family had little, he gave us more. When we were starving, he'd bring us food. Why are we repaying him with betrayal? While he was here waiting for you to come home, for hours! He waited for hours, Nora! But the whole time, YOU WERE CHEATING ON HIM INSTEAD!"

"I DID NOT."

However, she had underestimated Marco. He pointed to her neck. "The hickey looks fresh! He didn't make it! Also, why did he walk out on you if you didn't?! Why did you guys argue if it wasn't for you refusing to admit that you slept with someone else?!"

Nora froze.

Marco’s eyes burned at her silence. He took it as her finally admitting it. "I don't care how you feel, but you should—"

Nora held her head, the frustration too much to handle. She had gone through several things in just a day, from her boyfriend's betrayal, to almost getting assaulted, escaping but not making it, and now, a brother that wouldn't let her go until she admitted her 'wrongdoing.'

"What does who I slept with have to do with you? Can you stop poking your nose into my matter like you know what happened when you fucking don't?!"

Her voice rose, thick with disappointment. "You saw the fucking hickey on my neck, and your first fucking thought was to assume I fucking slept with a stranger? Am I that cheap in your damn eyes?" She shook her head, her brows furrowed as she pointed to herself. "Am I... that much of an unloyal and unfaithful bitch?! I thought you knew me best in the world, I was wrong. You'd rather accuse me than to respect me! I'm disappointed in you! Also, why do you think he's so innocent? Huh? Did you know what that bastard did to me? He fucking tried to make me sleep with a random—"

Abruptly, the rest of her words got stuck in her throat when she noticed Marco's action.

He was gasping, holding his chest, his body shaking. His green eyes were rolling like he could not focus. His grip on her arm turned soft.

“Marco?!” Nora’s heart jumped. She grabbed him fast before he could fall. “Hey, no—don’t do this! Marco, breathe!”

But he was doing the opposite. His face had turned ashen, his lips bluish, his chest rising and falling too fast, until he completely stopped. Her hand trembled, but her movement was fast as she quickly fished out her phone from her bag and called 911.

After receiving their acknowledgement, she immediately began performing CPR.

The entire time, her body was trembling, her eyes almost tearing. Fear gripped tightly at her chest.

What if...

Oh God, she didn't want to think about it.