Chapter 56 Completely Allaying Nora's Suspicions
"Why are you looking at me like that? Is something off?" Steve asked with a faux curve of a smile.
He approached Nora as he spoke, allowing for an even closer inspection.
He exuded the same aura and presence, just clearer now.
The face was genuinely Steve's.
His scent was unmistakably Steve's as well, down to the cologne.
It was definitely Steve. Her earlier suspicions must have been figments of her overactive imagination, perhaps distorted by distance.
"It's nothing," Nora said with a light shake of her head.
Then, her expression turned serious, her voice firm. "Didn't you promise not to speak about last night to anyone? Why did you reveal it? And of all people, why did you confide in my ex-husband?"
Steve spoke with an apologetic tone, "I'm sorry, I broke my promise. I went to visit Katie today and coincidentally crossed paths with your ex-husband. Reflecting on how distressed you were last night, I felt he was out of line. I couldn't help but express my thoughts, and I inadvertently disclosed some details about last night. Despite it being unintentional, I still failed to keep my word. I'm open to any punishment you deem appropriate, as long as it helps soothe your temper. I'd hate to see you upset."
Hearing him say this, half of Nora's anger instantly faded away.
"To make things right, I'm willing to cut the fee I promised you in half," Steve added quickly.
The rest of Nora's ire evaporated in an instant.
"Since you spoke out in my defense, I suppose I can forgive you this time. But don't let it happen again."
Steve grinned, "It won't, I promise."
Nora paused for a moment before probing further, "How much did you tell Isaac? Please tell me you didn't say I was looking for a stand-in for him."
Steve replied, "I just warned him about not talking trash about an ex in front of another woman. It's a bad look. The specifics I didn't get into. As for the rest, I didn't breathe a word. I do have professional integrity, you know."
Nora visibly relaxed, her tension melting away.
She couldn't imagine the embarrassment if Isaac found out she was seeking his replacement after their divorce; she would have wanted to disappear into thin air.
Suddenly, Steve leaned in closer to Nora with a sardonic smile.
"Downstairs, your ex mentioned you were suspicious of me being the same person as him?"
Nora awkwardly tugged at the corners of her mouth.
"It was when I was texting you at dinner, and every time I did, his phone buzzed. Then, when I called you, it was his phone that rang. They kept adding up; you two do look similar; that's why I was suspicious," Nora explained, her voice growing fainter with each word.
She couldn't be blamed, really. Anyone would have doubts about all those coincidences.
Steve shifted closer, taking her hand gently and placing it against his cheek.
"Feel my face carefully. Does it seem fake to you?"
His skin was smooth, elastic, and held a subtle warmth—undeniably human.
Nora shook her head without thinking.
Steve chuckled, "Go on, give it a pinch. See if you can peel off a layer of skin."
"No need, I'm not doubting you're real anymore; I'm convinced this face is the genuine article!" Nora said, her face flushed with embarrassment as she tried to withdraw her hand.
Steve's grip on her hand was unyielding.
"It's not enough. I need you to be absolutely certain that this face," he gestured to his own, "is real, with no chance of being an impostor. I don't want you doubting me like some kind of jerk your ex was."
A muscle twitched at the corner of Nora's mouth as she replied, "Just by that statement, I'm convinced you're not him. He would never admit to being a jerk; he'd just blame me instead."
Steve fell silent.
After a few seconds, he still held her hand, adamant that she pinch his face.
Left with no choice, Nora reached out, grasped his cheek, and gave it a light tug.
"There, I've pinched it. It's real skin. Can you let go of me now?" Nora said, a hint of exasperation in her voice.
"Are you kidding? You call that a pinch? Come on, give it some strength," Steve coaxed.
With no other option, Nora increased her grip and pulled.
She almost distorted his face.
After a token tug, she quickly released her hold.
"Alright, I'm convinced you're a real person, and this is your actual face. Let's not repeat this, okay? I don't want to inadvertently harm you and be responsible for jeopardizing your future gigs!" she said, her tone blending humor with genuine concern.
Steve pinched her cheek in return. "Ease up on the suspicion next time, will you?"
"Why would you even think someone would go through all this trouble to impersonate me? You have been watching too many TV dramas or what?" he teased.
Nora's face burned with embarrassment.
She now realized how preposterous her suspicions had been.
"I got it; I'm wrong; let's not talk about this anymore!" Nora glared at him, flustered. "Just go to work already; I'm fine here!"
Steve's lips curved into a half-smile. "As a decent boyfriend, how could I just leave when my girlfriend is injured? I should be here taking care of her. I already took time off. I'll stay home and look after you for a few days until you're mostly healed up. Then, I'll head back to work."
"My injuries aren't too serious. I can handle the basic stuff myself; you don't have to take leave to babysit me," Nora insisted.
"You said you were fine last night, but what happened? If I hadn't kept a close eye and rushed you to the hospital, you might have ended up in intensive care," Steve reminded her.
Nora muttered, "Don't exaggerate."
In the end, Nora couldn't win the argument and reluctantly let Steve stay and take care of her.
Meanwhile, Kalista realized that Isaac was serious this time.
When lunchtime came, there was indeed no one to cook for her!
She tried calling Isaac, but he wouldn't pick up the phone.
When she told the bodyguards at the door that she wanted to apologize to Isaac and asked for their help in contacting him, they didn't assist her either.
They simply said that Isaac had instructed them that if she wanted to apologize, she should write a letter. Once done, they would pass it on to Isaac.
She half-heartedly penned an apology letter and had her bodyguard deliver it to Isaac.
But Isaac was not satisfied; he demanded she reflect further.
Kalista was livid.
She went on a rampage, destroying things in the villa.
The contents of the villa were nearly obliterated by her wrath.
With debris scattered everywhere, no one bothered to clean up.
The once-luxurious living room now resembled a landfill.
"How could Isaac do this to me? I'm his fiancée!"
"Nora!"
"It's all Nora's fault for running to Isaac and tattling. It was Nora who ruined me!"
"Nora, just wait; I won't let you get away with this! I swear I'll make you pay!"
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