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Chapter 3

NORA WINSTON 

My blood ran cold.

I stood there and stared at them, my fingers tightened at my sides.

‘Sandra is my sister! Don't be ridiculous’

My hand subconsciously moved to my stomach, rubbing it gently.

I huffed, my lips trembling. His sister? Who fucking kisses their sister on the lips? 

For one stupid second, my hand reached for the door, part of me wanted to confront them, but fuck it! I won't do that. Never! 

I blinked back my tears, my chest already pumping hard.

I'd just turned to leave when my eyes caught Bryce again.

He was on his feet now, his brows furrowed as he stared at me, like he'd just seen a ghost.

My chest tightened, tears burning at the sides of my eyes, but I fought them back. 

With one last glance at him, I turned and dragged my feet to move. 

I barely took three steps when the door suddenly opened behind me, then Sandra's voice. 

“It's not what you think, Nora…” her voice was shaking.

I halted abruptly, my palms clenching around nothing. 

“I can explain." 

I stared at nothing for a moment, then turned. 

Sandra stood a few feet away with Bryce standing behind her. 

My eyes locked with Bryce's. Something crossed his face for just a moment. Guilt. Then it was gone before I could fully register it in my head. 

"It wasn't Bryce's fault. I had an urgent meeting to attend, and I had to borrow Bryce's car as mine was out of gas…” she said. "You must've been worried, seeing how you rushed down here.”

"I didn't mean to.”

I stared at her for a moment, then scoffed.

She wasn't explaining the kiss but the accident? How dare she pretend nothing happened when I just fucking saw her kissing my husband?

My gaze shifted to Bryce, and again, part of me wanted to confront him. About the accident. Why didn't he answer my calls if he was fine? Why didn't he reply to my texts? And the kiss. 

But again, I held myself back, allowing the anger to burn inside me. 

My eyes found Sandra's again, and her lips curled into a smirk. An expression on her face that I knew so well. As if she was telling me ‘look? I told you that I would take Bryce away’.

Sandra and I first met a few months ago for the first time since I got married to Bryce, and she'd sworn right there that she was going to make my marriage a living hell.

This marriage was never supposed to happen between me and Bryce. He was supposed to belong to Sandra. She'd loved him since they were kids, dreamt of marrying him, and I came out of nowhere to shatter that dream.

I could still remember the jealousy in her eyes the first time Bryce introduced me to her, and how my marriage hit rock bottom from that night.

“Nora…” Bryce's voice snapped me back to reality, and I realised he was standing in front of me now. 

“Go home." He said. “Let's talk at home. I'll explain everything." 

My throat tightened, I couldn't breathe for a second. 

I just saw him kissing another woman. His own sister, and this is what he's telling me? We'll discuss it at home? 

I stared at him, biting my inner lip so hard, I tasted blood. 

You want to have Sandra? Fine! Go ahead. I won't stand in your way anymore.

Without another word, I turned to leave, then Sandra spoke again.

“It's my fault, Nora. Please don't take it out on Bryce…” she said. "He was just looking out for me. I wouldn't have allowed him to stay here with me if I knew this was going to happen.”

I paused and just stared at nothing. My chest had gone numb.

I dragged my feet away without so much as a glance at them.

I didn't stop until I was in the lobby. My legs were trembling, breath ragged, the tears I'd been fighting back finally poured down my cheeks.

I placed a hand on my stomach, my nails digging slightly into my skin as I replayed everything in my head.

The pain I'd endured for years. The humiliation. How he always took Sandra's side even when it was obvious. The neglect and manipulation.

I've had enough. 

I wiped my tears with the back of my palms and took a deep breath as I walked out of the hospital.

Outside, I was already dialing my attorney’s number as I hauled down a cab.

He picked on the first ring.

“Hey, Nora. It's been a while." 

“I want a divorce, Nolan." 

“Huh?" I could hear the shock in his voice. “That came out of the blue." 

“Prepare me a divorce agreement…” I paused, my grip tightening on my phone. “I'm leaving Bryce.”

"How long is it going to take?”

There was silence on the other end for a moment, then…

"Two weeks at least.”

"I’m counting on you, Nolan." I said, then ended the call and exhaled.

I'm finally giving you the freedom you've always wanted, Bryce. I hope you have a happy life with Sandra…