Nora stood alone at the grand steps of the luxurious hotel, bathed in the warm glow of the chandeliers that lined the entrance. Thankfully, she had been able to slip away from the taunting show of sympathies to the sly enjoyment of her misery. As she waited for her ride, she couldn't help but shudder. How innocent and naive had she been to strive for 'love'?
"Let them party tonight and enjoy her misery," she thought, her resolve hardening. "They assume that tonight was the end of me, but they are unaware that tonight is just the beginning of a new me."
Inside the foyer, Antonio stared at Nora with guilt in his eyes. Even though he had chosen Sara as his life partner, Nora would always hold a special place in his heart. After all, she would forever remain his first love.
He wanted to apologize to her for humiliating her today. He'd never planned to abandon her at the altar. All night he had tried to escape everyone's attention for a chance to speak to her. He wanted to tell her that even though they were not in a relationship anymore, he would always remain her friend. Not for a moment did he doubt that she would not forgive him. He knew that Nora loved him deeply and was willing to do anything for those she cared about. So, he believed she would be happy to accept his friendship and free him of the guilt.
As the cool breeze ruffled Nora's hair, she hugged herself, her simple dress not enough to protect her. Antonio caught her profile with that faint smile she had worn all evening and strengthened his resolve. He would speak to her right away.
Marching forward, he took off his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders, a gesture he'd often done in the past because Nora had a habit of never bringing anything warm with her. Nora stiffened as she felt the familiar warmth of his jacket on her.
In the next instant, however, she quickly took off the jacket and pushed it towards him. "I don't need this. Thank you."
Antonio shook his head and caught Nora's hand, "Don't be stubborn. You'll catch a cold. Don't forget I know you. You have no tolerance for a drop in temperature."
But Nora stubbornly stepped back and shook her head, "You do not have the right anymore, Antonio."
Even though the words were softly spoken, Antonio felt his heartache at her tone, "Nora, we can still be friends. We are brother-in-law and sister-in-law now. So, we are family."
"I am not your family, Antonio! And I never will be. Please go back inside. Your new wife must be waiting."
As Nora turned her back to him, Antonio caught her and pulled her to him, catching her in a hug. "Nora, please believe me, I really am sorry. If I could turn back time, I would never have hurt you like this. Forgive me, Nora, please. We are going to the university soon. We were going to do everything together! Please don't give that up. Let's remember our past friendship."
Nora struggled to get out of his embrace, but he simply refused to let go. Stilling, she looked at him with narrowed eyes and warned, "Antonio, if you have really treated me like a friend, then let me go this instant. Your closeness makes me nauseous."
Stepping back, Antonio let her out of his arms but held her shoulders, "Hugging me felt like coming home, Nora. That is what you used to say!"
"And now I do not have a home, Antonio. Please go away and be happy with the woman you have chosen. I do not need you or your alms of friendship."
This time, the man's eyes hardened, all softness disappearing from his tone as he completely stopped touching her and warned, "Do you really think you will be able to go through university on your own? I know how weak your concepts are, Nora. I am the one who has tutored you and helped you reach here. If you are going to be like this, then you can forget any help from me in the future."
"The only day you may get a chance to help me is if I am in a casket, Antonio."
Before either of them could utter any more bitter words, Sara emerged from the hotel. Seeing her sister and Antonio staring at each other, both angry, she quickly walked to Nora and held her arms, "Nora...thank you for being so selfless. If not for you, I never would have gained the happiness that I have today. Thank you for giving my Antonio to me."
While Antonio was moved by Sara's words and stared at her with admiration, he failed to notice Nora's slight flinch when Sara caught hold of her shoulders. Even as words of gratitude and happiness poured from her mouth, Sara's grip on Nora left marks on her skin, of that Nora was sure.
Nora winced at the pain in her arm and shoulders but kept her gaze steady as she finally looked at Sara without the love that she had always shown for her. Remembering everything that she had endured in the name of familial love, Nora pushed her sister away, causing Sara to stumble and fall into Antonio's arms. "Nora, how dare you!" Sara seethed as she was helped by Antonio, who was also looking at Nora, askance. He had never thought that Nora would resort to violence.
But before anyone else could react, Nora had already stepped down and into the car that had stopped and driven away.
In their shock and anger, they failed to notice that the car was not some generic taxi but a limited edition Bugatti Divo that even the valet who brought it out was lusting over.
A few weeks ago, William Doughby's office:
"Antonio is in love with Sara?" As the older man repeated the words, his tone took on a sharpness while his eyes narrowed. He had experienced the world and knew very well that coincidences were rarely that. And this one just happened to be too convenient...
"Yes. Sara. Mom's favourite daughter. I had hoped that I would be able to escape... I mean marry and have a happy family..."
William Doughby sighed as he ignored the slip that she had made. He had an idea of how bad things were in that house but had been forced to keep quiet due to the circumstances... However, he could now see a way to help her out... Before he could say anything, Nora wiped her tears and straightened her back," There is no need for Antonio to make a choice. I will break off the engagement."
"Nora." William stopped the girl with a stern voice. When she looked up at him, perplexed William sighed and spoke," Child. I understand your feelings. But before you make any hasty decisions, I want you to consider this carefully. Rushing into something or breaking off an engagement can have long-lasting consequences."
Nora's eyes filled with tears as she said, "But Grandpa, I won't be able to bear marrying him knowing he had once betrayed me with her..."
William gently reached out and took her hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I know it's hard, my dear, but there are things you are unaware of. Things that you will need to know. Listen to me. Tonight, you come and stay with me and your grandma. Take yourself away from the chaos in your heart and give yourself time to think clearly. I'll be there for you, and we can discuss this further."
"Grandpa, I am fine. I mean I will be fine. But I do not want to stretch this matter... if I break up with him at least I can come out of the relationship with my dignity intact." Nora spoke in a small voice.
William Doughby sighed before speaking," Nora, it is time you start using your head instead of your heart."
Nora looked up shocked at Grandpa's words and tone. He had always been kind to her and never spoken so harshly. As she stared in confusion, he began," You must think we are all blind kid! The world might be but I am not. I have had to keep my eyes closed to the truth because I did not wish to make things difficult for you. But now! Do you think I do not know what your mother has been doing to you all these years?"
William stared at the straight dark line on Nora's hand and questioned," Tell me, child, how did you get this mark?"
Nora looked down at the old scar on her hand and gulped saying nothing," It's so old, I don't even remember grandpa."
"You don't remember? Well, let me remind you, you burnt your hand becasue your mother ordered you to make pancakes for Sara who wanted to eat them. And before you open your mouth and try to defend her actions about how it is alright for an older sibling to take care of the younger one, it is not okay when the older one is only 6 years old! Would you like to talk about the scar on your forehead just under the hairline? Four hours! She took you to the hospital for a head wound four hours after you had hurt your head. She wanted you to bleed out!"
Nora winced as the last words were almost roared out by her grandfather and felt her heart break all over. Yes, her mother had indeed mistreated her all her life. As a young child, she had assumed that all mothers were like that to their older kids. But slowly she had come to realise that only she was the one who got such treatment from her mother.
To win her mother's love, she had done everything, from learning to do household chores to not studying and doing well in exams so that Sara could shine. By ten she had been adept at managing the household and her mother had been able to get rid of the help staff. By fourteen, Nora had been struggling to keep up in class with the other kids and studying only so that she would be sent to the next grade.
At sixteen, she had finally learnt to accept whatever crumbs of affection her mother threw her way and live with that. But the most healing part had been when Antonio had come into her life.
He'd taken her under his wing. He'd showered her with kindness, pushing her to study well and even helping her with concepts she had no grasp of. And finally, when he had confessed his love for her she had been over the moon...
Nora hugged herself as she tried to get rid of those memories as well. She had worked so hard to forget all that. Antonio's love had been like a blanket on all those memories. There were times when she too had wondered if her mother had really wanted her to bleed out or die. But hearing it confirmed from Grandpa William's mouth was even more heart-wrenching.
"Grandpa, I'll leave now. You are right, we must talk tomorrow. There is no need to... no need to go to your home, I'll just go home..."
Before she could say another word, Nora had already lost conscience and fallen onto the carpeted floor.
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