Chapter 5
Damien looked surprised. “You’re not mad?”
Norah shook her head. “I’m moving out anyway.”
Damien froze. “What do you mean?”
Norah waved it off. “Just talking nonsense.”
Damien sensed something was off and was about to press further, but Dakota cut in, “Didn’t you say you were taking Tessa to the amusement park?”
Her tone and actions made it clear that she saw herself as the lady of the house.
Damien was hooked. “Okay, I’ll go pick up Tessa now.
He glanced at Norah, lips parting as if to say something, but in the end, he stayed silent.
Norah, being very thoughtful, said, “Go ahead. Think of it as an early welcome home for Tessa.”
Dakota took Damien’s arm again. “Exactly. Just like a little family.”
Norah could see the smug look on Dakota’s face but simply smiled. politely and walked away.
By the time dinner was over, it was already dark.
Just as Norah was about to fall asleep, she heard voices outside her door.
Dakota’s tone was soft and flirtatious. “Damien, just stay with me
tonight.”
Damien’s voice was gentle but firm. “Dakota, Norah is still my wife in name. This wouldn’t be right.”
“I’m the one on your marriage certificate, she’s fake. It makes perfect sense for you to sleep with me.”
Norah’s fingers curled slightly as she slowed her breathing.
After a while, Damien sighed. “You’re Tessa’s mom. Just remember that I won’t treat you badly.”
Dakota sniffled softly. “Then promise me, while I’m staying here, don’t touch her.”
Damien said, “Okay.”
Soon after, Norah heard the sound of a bedroom door opening next door.
She slowly opened her eyes and smiled.
Three people. Three rooms. Each with its own agenda.
The next morning, when Norah came downstairs, Damien and Dakota were already having breakfast.
“I saw you were sleeping soundly, so I told Damien not to wake you.”
Dakota’s words were obviously ambiguous as if she were the real lady of the house and Norah just a guest.
Damien said nothing to correct her.
Norah couldn’t be bothered to respond and simply sat down.
Dakota got up and handed her a bowl of soup. “I made it myself. Have a
taste.”
Norah immediately spotted the chestnuts in the bowl.
She’d been allergic to them since childhood; even a single bite could be deadly.
Norah pushed the bowl away. “Sorry, I don’t eat chestnuts.”
Dakota immediately put on a hurt expression, even squeezing out a few tears as she looked at Damien.
“I should just move out. I’d rather sleep on the street than stay here and be unwelcome.”
She stood up, pretending to pack her things.
Damien quickly stopped her, gently trying to calm her down.
He turned to scold Norah. “Just drink it. Dakota got up early to make it for you.”
Norah stared at him in disbelief. “You know I’m allergic to chestnuts, and you still want me to risk my life just for her feelings?”
Damien’s face darkened. “Norah! As the owner of this house, I’m ordering you, to eat the soup!”
By then, Dakota had already brought her suitcase downstairs, dramatically heading toward the door.
Damien became anxious as he rushed to Norah’s side.
He grabbed the bowl, forced her mouth open, and began pouring the soup. down her throat.
“I don’t believe a bowl of soup could kill someone,”
Norah couldn’t resist and was made to swallow a big bowl of chestnut
soup.
Only then did Damien let go.
Norah’s legs gave out, and she collapsed into the chair.
She choked, snot and tears streaming, coughing uncontrollably.
Damien didn’t spare her a glance. He turned and ran after Dakota.
After soothing her, Dakota nestled into his arms, eyes still red.
As they passed Norah, Damien said coldly, “See? You’re fine. Always acting so delicate.”
Norah’s throat was so swollen she could barely speak. With a hoarse, broken voice, she whispered, “Ambulance… Save me…”
Damien frowned. “You’re about to be a mom. You should be more
sensible.
“Apologize to Dakota right now.”
Norah’s mind went blank, and she finally passed out from suffocation.
