Chapter 40 The Way He Looked at Nora
<Chapter> Chapter 40 The way he looks at Nora </Chapter>
Aaron choked, suddenly aware that his emotions had indeed been swayed by her recently.
Every move she made seemed to pull at his thoughts.
Why?
Did he... care about her?
The thought flickered through Aaron's mind.
His eyes twinkled mischievously, “Look at how adorable the three kids are. I’m just worried you might lead them astray.”
Nora stood up, gave him a two-second glance, and, without a word, started pushing him out of the room.
Aaron felt an inexplicable panic under her gaze.
"What, silent all of a sudden? Did I hit a nerve? Feeling guilty?"
Again, Nora laughed softly.
"No, I was just thinking that it's time to step up your treatment so you can leave sooner rather than later."
Aaron was speechless.
At Smith's Residences.
Martha looked utterly disheveled, her clothing torn and her hair a mess.
Charles, with a look of utter contempt, tossed a document at her.
"Sign the divorce papers."
Martha picked up the divorce agreement from the floor, trembling as she read the words "leave with nothing."
"Charles, this is too much! I've been by your side all these years; if not for my merits, at least for my hard work. Even if we split, I deserve half of everything!"
Charles sneered, "You think you can cheat on me and still claim half my assets? Martha, have you lost your mind?"
Martha replied heatedly, “Charles, you've been cuckolded more times than just once. If it weren't for me making you a cuckold, would you be where you are today?”
Charles's face darkened, and he lunged forward, grabbing her throat.
"Martha, don’t you want to live in peace anymore? Don't assume I don't know how Nora's mother died."
Martha's pupils dilated, and she slapped his hand away frantically.
Charles's laugh was sinister. "Back then, you bribed a prison doctor to switch out her heart medication, didn’t you? I still have the transfer records. What do you say if I hand them over to the authorities?"
Martha's face went through a rapid succession of changes as she pushed Charles away forcefully.
"Charles, don't think for a second I'm clueless. Nora's mother took the fall for you! The woman you killed was your mistress, right? She wanted to break things off, then you saw her check into a hotel with another man and, in a drunken rage, you ran her over?"
Charles' face contorted with emotion. His eyes darkened as he glared at Martha.
"Martha, don't sling mud unless you've got proof," he hissed. "Show me the evidence if you have it!"
Martha remained silent; she had no evidence. She'd only overheard a conversation between Charles and the housekeeper that gave away his secret.
"Cut the nonsense, Martha. Divorce is non-negotiable, but don't even dream about getting half of what I own. I'll give you a settlement to live on comfortably. Just take the money and go!"
Charles took a step back. Martha clutched the divorce papers, her face twisting in fury. How had everything spiraled so out of control?
All she knew was that this mess was Nora's fault. If it weren't for Nora's exposé, Charles would never have found out about her little fling with Pretty Boy. She wouldn't have had to call Godfather, and things wouldn’t have escalated to this point.
That little skank, she thought, it's not over between us!
In the quiet suburbia.
"Thomas, starting tonight, we're adding a new step to your therapy," Nora announced as she guided Aaron towards the bathroom.
Aaron furrowed his brow. "Nora, don't you think your vindictiveness is a bit much? It was just a couple of harsh words. Nobody likes a woman who's easily offended."
Nora paused, processing Aaron's words a beat too late. The other day after their verbal scuffle, she told him she'd intensify his treatment so that he could leave sooner.
Did he think she was punishing him?
"Yeah, that’s me, quick to take offense," she replied, opting not to argue as she ushered him into the bathroom.
She’d been treating him for almost a month; it was naturally time for the next phase of therapy.
Aaron eyed the steaming brown waters in the bathtub, his frown deepening. "What's this?"
The unmistakable scent of herbal medicine filled the air.
"Medicinal bath," Nora replied, starting to undress him.
"What's it do?"
Aaron spread his arms, allowing Nora to assist him.
"It'll get you out of here sooner," she stated matter-of-factly.
Aaron locked his gaze on her pretty face, displeasure evident in his tone. "You're that eager to get rid of me?"
"What else?" Nora replied nonchalantly as she helped him out of his shirt and proceeded to remove his pants.
"Do you have any idea how much money you cost me a day? I saved you and it's practically bankrupting me."
"Pinchfist," Aaron muttered with a dry irony.
Nora glared at him. "Calling me a pinchfist? If I really were, you'd be pushing up daisies by now. Now get in the tub."
Aaron pursed his lips, easing himself into the bathtub with her help.
The water was scalding. Aaron winced, furrowing his brows.
Nora couldn't help but burst into laughter.
As she turned to leave, Aaron called after her, "Where are you going?"
"Why? You expect me to stick around and scrub your back?"
Nora shot back, not looking back.
Aaron, at a loss for words, asked, "How long do I have to sit here?"
"Forty minutes."
Nora sealed the door behind her after delivering her prescription.
Soaking in the heat, Aaron took several deep breaths.
Beads of sweat formed on his forehead. After ten minutes alone, he was already bored out of his mind.
"Nora, can you toss me the tissues?"
"They're on your right, didn't you see?"
Her voice floated in from the outside.
Aaron glanced to the side and indeed spotted a roll of paper towels.
But he hadn't really wanted the tissues.
"Nora, how long has it been?"
"Just ten minutes."
"Nora, I'm thirsty."
"There's water on your left."
"Nora, I think I'm having a heart attack."
A moment later, Nora walked back in.
"Heart attack?"
She finally came inside.
Aaron nodded at her.
Nora checked his pulse, holding his hand.
"You don't have a heart condition. The tight feeling is probably from the heat, just hold on a bit longer."
Of course, he didn't have a heart condition.
He just wanted her company.
As Nora turned to leave again, Aaron asked, "Where to now? Can't you just sit still for once? What if there's an emergency?"
Nora paused and sized him up.
"So, what is this really about, Thomas? You just want me to sit here and chat?"
Aaron kept a straight face. "Nora, it's the first time we're adding this to the routine; shouldn't you be here to monitor the whole thing?"
Nora raised an eyebrow but didn't leave.
"Is it so hard to admit that you just don't wanna be alone, Thomas?"
"If you dare say you're not, I'm out of here."
Aaron clamped his mouth shut.
Before his leg injury, he had always been aloof and reserved, hating the buzz of people around him.
Now, after breaking his leg, he found himself enjoying the sound of someone chattering next to him.
If she didn't spar verbally with him for a while, he'd feel an emptiness inside!
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