Chapter 02

NORA'S POV

My chest felt tight, as I walked down the brightly lit hallway, and I had to fight back the tears. The sight of Isabella sitting with Sam, laughing, had torn me apart. They looked like they shared something private, something I would never be a part of. I clutched my coat tighter, trying to pull myself together.

When I got close to the elevator, I spotted Jacob leaning against the wall, arms crossed, looking smug. The same look he always had when he saw me. We had grown up in the same neighbourhood, the same big sprawling mansions, the same schools. Sam, Jacob, Genevieve and I all used to be friends,but things had changed over the years. Jacob had always had a way of making me feel small.

“Leaving already?” Jacob sneered, his eyes narrowing. “You’re not fooling anyone, Nora. You’re just holding Sam back, and everyone knows it.”

I froze. His words stung harder than usual. Maybe it was because of what happened earlier—Jacob was Sam's best friend. Maybe he knew something I didn't. That hollow feeling in my chest returned.

“What are you talking about?” I whispered, my voice barely there.

Jacob stepped closer, his eyes cold. “You act like you can actually be a part of his life but all you do is embarrassyourself. Showing up unannounced, clinging to him—no wonder he’s spending time with someone who gets him.”

I wanted to say something, anything, but my throat tightened. I had grown used to Jacob’s bullying, his sharp words, but today they hurt more because of what I had saw in Sam's office.

“You don’t know anything about us,” I said weakly, though I wasn’t sure I believed it myself.

“You just can’t help but ruin everything, can you? Maybe if you stopped clinging to him like some lovesick puppy, you’d realize you’re the problem, not him”, Jacob yelled.

“He's my husband!” I snapped.

Jacob’s smirk widened. “Not for long. You think you can compete with Isabella? She’s everything you’re not—confident, successful. You? You’re just in the way.”

His words cut deeper than ever. He didn’t have to say more. I had seen it myself today, Sam and Isabella, laughing, talking like they understood each other. My mind raced; the walls felt like they were closing in. I pushed past Jacob, my legs shaky, and ran out into the pouring rain, the cold drops mixing with the tears I didn’t even know I’d started shedding.

My phone buzzed. I fumbled with the wet screen and answered. It was Genevieve, Sam’s sister, her voice bright with excitement.

“Nora! How did it go? So, how did he react when you brought him the watch? I’m sure this was the perfect chance for you two to talk!”

I squeezed my eyes shut, holding back my tears. Genevieve didn’t know how bad things were. “React? He barely looked at me! Do you know what it’s like to be invisible in front of the person you love the most?”

I could picture her now, probably curled up on that old floral couch we used to sit on as kids in her room, our legs draped over the armrest as we gossiped about everything and nothing. Genevieve was the one who never gave up on anything—always the one pushing me to fight for what mattered. But this wasn’t the same. I couldn’t just “fix” it this time.

Genevieve paused. “What? But… the watch. I thought it would make him appreciative and notice how much you care about him.”

“It didn’t,” I said flatly. “It only reminded me how much I’m losing him. He’s with her, Genevieve. Isabella’s back.”

There was a gasp on the other end. “Isabella? Are you sure? Maybe it’s not what you think—”

“It’s exactly what I think,” I cut her off, my voice cold. “You set me up for this, hoping things would get better, but all it’s done is make me realize how hopeless everything is!”

“Nora…” Genevieve called.

“I’m so sorry, Gen. I didn’t mean to-”

“It’s okay. I know.”

There was a heavy silence on the line. I knew Genevieve was trying to figure out what to say. We never liked Isabella, not since the day she and Sam started getting close back in college. She always had a way of making everyone feel small, like they didn’t belong.

We’d whispered about her late into the night, our heads resting on pillows, talking about how she wasn’t right for him. How she’d never be. But now she was back, and I was the one being pushed out.

I knew she did not know what to say and I didn’t give her a chance to respond.

“I have to go,” I said before Genevieve could try to argue or offer more advice. I couldn’t take it. Not now. I ended the call, my fingers trembling as I dropped the phone into my bag. The rain soaked through my jacket, but I didn’t care. It matched the cold, sinking feeling in my chest

The walk home was a blur. By the time I reached the house, I was soaked and freezing. My body trembled, my mind a mess. I changed out of my wet clothes, barely able to stop shivering. I crawled into bed, pulling the covers tightly around me, desperate to feel some warmth.

I laid in bed thinking and reminiscing, tired from everything happening and wishing things could go back to how they were.

I must have fallen asleep at some point because when I woke up, the room was dim, the bedside lamp casting a soft glow.

I felt a warm hand gently stroking my back. My body stiffened, and I slowly turned to see Sam sitting beside me. His hand traced soft circles on my skin, like he used to do when things were good between us. I laid still as he planted kisses on my arms and my back moving to my neck.

Without a word, he placed his hand inside my shirt, his fingers roaming all over my stomach. I trembled slightly as he moved, teasing me. His fingers caressing my navel and then moving down just above my panties. I shivered but said nothing.

I laid there remembering the days when I loved him. It wasn’t always like this. We had been good friends, Sam and I. He was my best friend's older brother, the one who teased me, who made me laugh. Who protected me from Jacob. I had even once had a crush on him, but it was never real love. Not then.

Our parents arranged the marriage. At first, I hadn't been thrilled with the idea, but with time, things changed. Slowly, I fell for him—for his kindness, his gentle ways. The small things. The way he always brought me tea in the mornings or held my hand when I was scared.

My body began to respond to his touch. I arched my back slightly, rubbing against his groin. I inhaled deeply as I felt his erection. He wanted me. I wanted him too but how do I let go?

His hand began to fondle my breasts and I was losing it. My nipples were erect and hard now. All I wanted was for him to kiss me.

“Eleanora,” he whispered, his voice soft and full of concern. “I’m here. Talk to me, love.”

He didn't stop caressing my breasts or pressing into me. There was a hot liquid in between the folds of my thighs by this time and I parted my legs slightly.

The way he said my full name—it used to mean something special, a sign of our closeness. But now, it felt like a cruel reminder of how far we’d drifted apart.

I wanted to ask him why he was with Isabella. But when he touched me like that, a small part of me still longed for the connection we used to have. I sank into him and let him hold me for a moment, feeling my resolve weaken.

He kissed my hair and I chuckled.

“I'm sorry baby, thank you for bringing the watch for me”, he said softly, leaning to kiss me tenderly on the lips.

I grabbed his face in between my hands and kissed him back with vigour, feeling the taste of coffee on his lips, our tongues intertwining.

He paused and looked at me and I could see unbridled lust in his eyes.

“I miss you Sam”, I said.

“I miss you too honey,” he said and then pulled off my shirt, his hands cupping my breast.

I let out a gasp as he sucked it, thinking how long it had been since we made love. I began to unbuckle his belt and pulled down his trousers, wrapping my hand around the rigid part of him. I felt it in my hand and threw my head back and his tongue caressed my nipples.

Just then, his phone rang out loudly.

“Don't answer”, I begged, my voice a whisper, breathless with passion.

Sam dug his hand into his pocket and retrieved the phone. I saw the caller ID show “Isabella” before he climbed out of bed.

I felt stung instantly and the memory of her laughing with him, her hand lingering on his arm, made something snap inside me. I couldn’t do this anymore. I couldn’t pretend. Who was I fooling? Jacob was right.

With a sudden burst of strength, I yelled, “Stop. Just stop.”

Sam looked at me, confused, ending the call. “What’s wrong? Why are you acting like this?”

I wanted to tell him everything, to unburden all my feelings but the words would not come out.

He reached out and held my arm. “Eleanora…baby you can talk to me”.

I sat up, shrugging off his hand from my arm, irritated, my heart pounding. “I want a divorce,” I said, the words tumbling out before I could stop them.

Sam’s face went pale. “A divorce? You cannot be serious Nora!”

“But I am serious”, I yelled. “I’ve been thinking about this for a while, we don’t need to keep deceiving ourselves that we can make this work”.

The silence stretched between us, thick and heavy. I didn’t know what would happen next, but I knew one thing—I couldn’t go on like this.

“Okay, then.” Sam said quietly and left the room.