Chapter 2
Justin’s face darkened even more when he heard Norah’s response. His cold gaze locked onto her, and he instructed in a tone laced with anger, “If you don’t have one, then get the hell out and buy protection.”
Norah said nothing. She bent down, picked up the money from the floor, and walked out the door.
After buying what Justin wanted, she placed it on the doorstep, then returned to her room and locked the door.
That night, the moans from the next room never stopped. As if deliberately trying to punish her, Justin whispered sweet nothings to Selena in between their lovemaking.
“Baby, you smell so good. I love you so much.
“Promise me you’ll love me forever. You’ll never leave me, okay?”
And every word he spoke now was exactly what he used to say to her back when he held her in his arms in the middle of their lovemaking.
They had nothing back then. Their tiny 220-square-foot rental was cramped and modest, but they had been madly in love.
Norah had fantasized countless times about growing old with him, having a son and a daughter, and having a lifetime of happiness together.
But those memories were nothing more than illusions. They were beautiful yet untouchable, forever lost.
Norah cried the whole night. By morning, her pillow was soaked. She told herself that this was the last time she would ever shed a tear for Justin.
When she came downstairs, Justin and Selena were already up.
In the past, none of the women Justin brought home ever stayed the night. Selena was the first. She was also the only one who had ever stayed for breakfast.
The housekeepers bustled around, busier than usual. It was then that Norah realized that today was Selena’s birthday. Justin was throwing her a grand birthday party.
As the party began, the house filled with familiar faces from their social circle. They all greeted Selena warmly, treating her as though she were the true lady of the house.
And Justin played the perfect, devoted man—holding Selena’s hand as they welcomed and entertained the guests.
When Selena blew out the candles and made her wish, Justin spared no expense, gifting her a diamond necklace worth tens of millions of dollars.
As emotions ran high, the two of them passionately kissed in front of everyone.
Thunderous applause erupted from the crowd, yet their gazes toward Norah were filled with undisguised sympathy.
“This is how she’s being treated, even though she’s the wife… How pitiful.”
“Everyone knows she’s the biggest joke in our circle. If I were her, I’d find a place to hide.”
“Yet she acts as if nothing has happened. She doesn’t give the slightest reaction.”
The corners of Norah’s lips curled into a bitter smile. She had endured too much pain. This was nothing compared to all she had suffered.
Midway through the banquet, Selena found her in a secluded corner. “It’s been a whole day. Aren’t you going to ask me why?”
Norah calmly shook her head. “I no longer want to know.”
Selena was once her best friend, so she knew exactly what had happened all those years ago.
She had witnessed Norah’s endless suffering, seen her red-rimmed eyes staring at the intimate photos Justin sent, and seen her break down in silent tears.
So many times, Selena had wanted to pick up the phone and tell Justin the truth. But Norah stopped her, saying that it wouldn’t change their fate no matter what.
Now, Selena looked at her with reddened eyes, her gaze filled with too many unreadable emotions.
“Norah, you know what I hate the most? It’s the way you act like none of this matters. You know nothing, so of course, you don’t know that I’ve secretly loved Justin for years.
“Yet, his heart has always belonged to you. I know how much you’ve suffered because of him, but do you know what kind of life he led after you left?
“For you, he drank himself into oblivion, vomited blood from excessive drinking, and spent nights alone in the apartment you once shared.
“The photo you left behind has remained in his wallet for years. Once, he was mugged, and he would rather take multiple stab wounds than let go of that wallet just to keep the only thing you left him.
“Even after achieving fame and success, he chose to marry you. He brought all those women home, not because he wanted them, but because he was waiting for you to give in. If you had just said you still loved him, he would have given up everything to be with you again.
“Norah, he’s such a proud man, yet for you, he’s humbled himself to this extent. He may hate you, but he loves you even more.”
Selena came to a brief pause before adding, “And you know what? I hate you, too. I hate that he still refuses to let you go after everything you’ve done to him.
“Justin never intended to choose me. Every woman he brought home over the years looked like you—except me. And yet, I am the one who has stayed by his side the longest.
“Do you know why? Because I lied to him. I told him that I was the one who donated that kidney to him back then.”
Norah listened quietly without uttering a word.
Selena’s breathing grew unsteady at Norah’s continued silence. After a long pause, she finally spoke again, “Norah, you haven’t given me a birthday gift this year. But I only want one thing—I want you to give Justin to me.”
Silence stretched between them.
Just when Selena thought Norah would never respond, Norah finally spoke, “Okay.”
Selena smiled with tears brimming in her eyes. “If you’re going to let go, then let go completely. Make sure his heart never holds you again.”
With that, she released her grip on the staircase railing, closed her eyes, and let herself fall backward.
