The Hide and Seek Game That Lasted a Lifetime novel Chapter 11

Chapter 1

Chase Whitmore maintained a mistress, and Nora Langston deliberately chose to turn a blind eye.

While he showered the other woman with exquisite jewelry and rare collectibles, Nora cradled their daughter Jamie in her arms, gazing up at the glittering stars above.

When he orchestrated a lavish birthday party illuminated by drones that captivated the entire town of Bellwood, Nora was miles away, enjoying a peaceful vacation in Zurich with their little girl.

And when he brought that same mistress into his office and closed the door behind them, engaging in secret trysts, Nora silently watched the security footage—her face unreadable—before switching it off and retreating into her own world.

It wasn’t until jealousy drove the mistress to kidnap their daughter, resulting in both of them plummeting off a cliff and landing in the hospital, that everything finally shattered.

Nora rushed to the hospital, heart pounding, arriving just in time to overhear the doctor telling Chase, “The blood supply is critically low. We can only save one—either the child or the adult.”

Chase faltered. Under Nora’s sharp, unwavering stare, he finally muttered, “Save the child.”

She watched as he signed the consent form, his hand trembling ever so slightly. He hesitated for a full thirty seconds before writing their daughter’s name.

Nora exhaled softly and turned her gaze back to Chase—the man she had loved for ten long years.

“Chase, do you even remember the promises you made to me?” she demanded, fury burning in her eyes.

For a decade, she had chased after him relentlessly. If he missed a meal, she would scour the city to bring him his favorite porridge. When he was injured after a race and lost too much blood, she nearly drained herself to donate to him. Yet no matter what she did, he only ever found her annoying.

Then, when the Whitmore Group faced a financial crisis, he was forced to marry her to save the company.

On the day of their wedding, she arrived brimming with hope, only to hear his cold words: “Marriages in families like ours are about mutual benefit. I will never give you real love. You’d better give up on that fantasy.”

The night before their wedding, she was made to sign a contract—a marriage of convenience.

They were to fulfill all the duties and enjoy all the rights of husband and wife—except fidelity.

But even then, one rule remained sacred: his affairs must never interfere with the family.

For years, they adhered to that rule.

Though Chase cycled through woman after woman, Nora never once intervened.

But there was one thing she could never tolerate—him hurting their daughter.

“I didn’t expect Camila to go that far,” Chase tried to explain, his voice low. “She saw our family photo this morning, lost control, and acted on impulse…”

Nora’s hands clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white. After a long, heavy silence, she spoke softly but with steel in her voice.

“If you can’t keep your woman in check, I will. And trust me—I won’t be gentle.”

Chase murmured an “mm,” signaling he understood, then stepped out into the hallway for a smoke.

They had always been like this—a picture-perfect couple on the surface, but strangers behind closed doors.

Two hours later, the doctor emerged from surgery, exhaustion etched deep into his face.

Fifteen minutes later, her phone chimed.

Chapter 1

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Nora opened the message and read the line clearly:

[Whichever party breaks the contract shall agree to divorce unconditionally and leave the marriage with no assets, unable to claim any property.]

She saved the image and backed it up securely.

Then she forwarded it to her lawyer friend and her contact at the Family Court Clerk’s office.

Soon, the replies came.

From her lawyer: [This contract remains legally valid.]

From the clerk: [A slot opened tomorrow. Come anytime to file.]

Nora stared at the messages, her mind racing.

Just as she was about to delete them, a deep voice came from behind.

“Nora, why are you still awake?”