Trash Husband, I'm the Top novel Chapter 272

Hans’s expression was always cool, his eyes almost indifferent—there was not a hint of sympathy or chivalry about him.

“People break up all the time. Isn’t that normal?” he said flatly.

With those words, he turned and strode after Nora, leaving Eleanor standing behind.

Eleanor took a few hurried steps after them, then stopped, frustration bubbling up inside her.

It was always Nora. Nora had Daniel, and now she was going to let her best friend have Hans.

They were trying to steal away every man who’d ever cared about her.

Downstairs, Nora stood on the curb, waiting for her car.

Hans lingered beside her, repeating himself without emotion. “If you really want to get away from Daniel, I can help.”

Nora looked at him calmly. “If you want to help, let Una go.”

“I promise she’ll leave Fairvale and you’ll never see her again.”

Hans’s easygoing expression darkened. “Absolutely not.”

Nora didn’t bother to argue further.

She went home to North Manor.

The moment she stepped inside, she heard a familiar voice echoing through the hall.

She hurried into the living room and saw Payne.

He’d just been released from the hospital, his face still pale as he played quietly with a set of blocks.

Daniel sat on the sofa nearby, his demeanor unexpectedly gentle.

It was a peaceful, almost tender scene—yet every part of Nora felt cold.

She forced herself to walk over, her whole body tense.

Payne hadn’t seen her in days. As soon as he noticed her, he bounded over, wrapping his arms around her legs and calling up to her in his sweet, childish voice.

“Mama!”

Nora managed a small, shaky smile and ruffled his hair.

She asked the housekeeper to take Payne to another room to play.

The moment he left, the air in the room changed. Nora’s gentle voice hardened with barely-suppressed hysteria.

“Daniel, are you using Payne to threaten me?”

Daniel narrowed his eyes, standing up slowly.

Nora’s throat felt tight, and she couldn’t speak—her eyes shone with unshed tears.

His voice was icy and emotionless. “So you’d better keep your end of our agreement and focus on your pregnancy.”

Bit by bit, Nora loosened her grip, her eyes rimmed red, her face almost ghostly pale.

She looked over at Payne, her heart twisting painfully.

Her voice was hoarse, full of hate and defeat. “Fine. I’ll do what you want. Just take him back to the Winters’ estate.”

She’d compromised again.

For Payne’s sake, she could only give in.

She hated herself for being so powerless.

Daniel just stared at her, cold and unmoved.

Nora’s nerves snapped. Tears blurred her vision, her voice rising, sharp and urgent. “Take him back. Now.”

Payne heard her. He ran over on his little legs, hugging her tightly, his small face full of worry as he looked up at her.

“Mama, why are you crying?”