Chapter 4

At seven in the evening, the driver delivered Nora to the hotel's banquet hall on time.

She arrived slightly later than planned.

Just before leaving, Muffin had clung to her dress with sharp claws, and it took a while to calm the cat enough to let go.

"Mrs. Gordon, would you like to change your dress?"

Nora smoothed the snagged silk gown, smiling faintly and shaking her head. "This is fine."

For some reason, tracing the scratches brought Muffin's bright eyes to mind, helping her stay calm amid the noisy crowd.

A waiter stood at the entrance and hurried over to guide her. "Mrs. Gordon, this way. Mr. Gordon is in the VIP lounge."

Nora, in high heels, wove through the clinking glasses and chatter to the quieter lounge area.

The lounge was sectioned off by heavy velvet curtains, left partially open, allowing music and laughter to spill out.

"Stefan, when are you ditching that sick wife of yours? Izabella's pregnancy won't wait forever. We're all ready for your second wedding!"

Nora's blood froze, rooting her to the spot.

She held her breath, waiting, but Stefan remained silent.

A soft, charming voice broke the quiet, Izabella's. "Soon. Stefan's already had paparazzi leak hints. We'll wait until Nora's condition stabilizes before divorcing, or people will say I couldn't even tolerate a sick woman."

The group of trust-fund heirs chimed in. "You and Stefan always think of everything."

One of them clicked his tongue. "But honestly, Stefan, you're brutal. Just because Nora stole Izabella's boyfriend, you waited until they split, married her, played the perfect husband, all while staying with Izabella and gaslighting Nora into thinking she's crazy, just to crush her with the truth in the end... That's cold!"

Another played detective, stroking his chin. "I bet Nora's depression staying so bad has something to do with those special pills you had the hospital prescribe..."

Izabella cut in sharply. "Watch what you say!"

A brief silence fell, everyone aware that another blow could devastate someone with Nora's condition.

"My bad!" the man laughed, backtracking. "I'll drink a penalty shot!"

Stefan finally spoke, his voice icy, nothing like his usual warmth. "She made Izzie unhappy. She has to pay. Besides, with her as my disgraced ex-wife, my mother will see how good Izzie is and won't obsess over family status or other nonsense."

Someone gasped. "Stefan, you're ruthless but devoted."

Izabella pouted playfully. "That's true, but I still got jealous watching you two married all this time."

"Silly girl," Stefan said, his tone warm and indulgent. "If it really bothers you, I can bring up divorce with her right now."

As their lips met, a shout came from outside.

"Mrs. Gordon, are you okay?"

Each word of truth stabbed Nora's heart, twisting deeper with every syllable.

She had thought Stefan's betrayal was mere fickleness, even felt a sliver of understanding.

Men in their circle often had flings, especially with a bedridden, childless wife like her.

But she never imagined her guesses barely scratched the surface of the darkness.

Their marriage, from the start, was a lie.

The lounge curtains were yanked open.

Stefan saw Nora, pale as paper, swaying on her feet.

Panic filled his eyes. "Nora..."

As she collapsed, he reached to catch her, but she pushed him away with her last ounce of strength.

Like a puppet with its strings cut, Nora closed her eyes and crumpled to the floor.