Trash Husband, I'm the Top novel Chapter 209

After dinner, Nora and Payne curled up on the couch, flipping through an old photo album.

Most of the pictures were of her and Aurora.

Grandma Grace and Susan only appeared in the background every now and then.

“Who’s this lady? And this one? What about her?” Payne asked, pointing at the faded faces.

He still remembered which relatives his dad had made him greet formally in the past.

“She looks like you. She even looks a little like me,” he said, studying the resemblance.

“That’s my older sister,” Nora replied softly.

She wanted so badly to tell Payne the whole truth, but she was afraid he wouldn’t understand. His surgery was coming up, and Nora couldn’t risk upsetting him.

Payne nodded, only half-comprehending.

Suddenly, Louis reached over and took the album from Payne’s lap. He began flipping through it himself, lingering on the photos, his gaze full of bittersweet longing.

Feeling a little stifled, Nora slipped out to the balcony.

The night air was gentle, and the heaviness in her chest began to fade. As she looked out into the darkness, her eyes caught a tall figure standing under the streetlight.

Their eyes met.

Nora’s brows knit together. What was he doing here?

Daniel took a step forward, lips parting as if to call out to her.

But before he could speak, Nora had already turned away and gone back inside.

The word “Aurora” caught in his throat, stuck and bitter.

When Nora re-entered the living room, Louis glanced at her. “Something wrong?”

She glanced back at the balcony and didn’t bother to hide the truth. “Daniel’s outside.”

Louis raised an eyebrow. That was quick.

A knock sounded at the door.

Nora knew it was Daniel.

She opened the door, her expression cool and distant. “Why are you here?”

“I’m here to take you home,” Daniel replied.

Payne came bounding over, full of excitement. “Mr. Chambers!” he shouted, throwing himself into Daniel’s arms.

Daniel picked him up, his usually cold eyes softening.

Before leaving, Nora glanced one last time at the photo of her grandmother by the window, then turned and climbed in.

Pregnant and exhausted, she quickly drifted off, her head leaning against the windowpane.

Daniel gently pulled her into his arms, trying to make her comfortable enough to sleep. His heart softened at the sight of her, but he couldn’t help sighing.

Their relationship, he thought bleakly, was as dark as the road outside the window—no telling what lay ahead.

By the time they reached Fairvale, dawn was breaking. It was nearly five in the morning.

Daniel carried Nora upstairs to their bedroom. She was fast asleep, her head nestled against his shoulder, a troubled furrow between her brows even in her dreams.

He laid her on the bed with the greatest care and wiped her face and hands with a warm towel.

Only after making sure she was settled did he finally go shower.

Nora slowly opened her eyes and stared up at the ceiling.

She’d actually woken up when he carried her out of the car; she just didn’t want to face him. Her heart was heavy with resentment.

Why did he have to go to Millbrook? Why couldn’t he have waited just a few more days? She could have spent more time with her grandmother, but once again, he’d thrown her plans into chaos.

Hearing the water stop running in the bathroom, she closed her eyes again, unwilling to deal with him.

Daniel emerged from the shower, ready to finally get some rest, when his phone began to ring.