The Price of Pride
1017 Words
The rain had stopped by the time Nora returned to her apartment.
She stood outside the old building for a long moment, staring up at the flickering light in the kitchen window.
Home.
It wasn't much—a modest two-bedroom apartment with peeling paint and a roof that leaked whenever the storms grew too heavy—but it was the only place that had truly felt like hers since her parents died.
She unlocked the door as quietly as possible.
"You finally made it."
Liam looked up from the dining table, textbooks scattered around him. A half-finished cup of instant noodles sat beside his notes.
"You've been studying all evening?" Nora asked, setting her handbag down.
"I tried." He smiled sheepishly. "But I kept worrying about you."
She walked over and ruffled his hair.
"I'm okay."
"Were you really?"
The question caught her off guard.
Liam had always been able to see through the smile she wore for everyone else.
She pulled out a chair and sat across from him.
"It wasn't as bad as I expected."
He frowned.
"That's not an answer."
Nora laughed softly.
"No... I suppose it isn't."
She told him about the invitation, the enormous mansion, the elegant tea, and Margaret's offer.
She left out only one detail.
The amount written on the cheque.
Liam listened without interrupting.
When she finished, he lowered his eyes.
"I'm sorry."
Nora blinked.
"For what?"
"If I wasn't here..."
She immediately reached across the table and squeezed his hand.
"Don't ever say that."
"But it's true."
"No."
Her voice was firm.
"You are not the reason I gave up my dreams."
"I chose you."
"And I'd make the same choice again."
Tears shimmered in Liam's eyes.
"I'll work hard."
"I'll make sure your sacrifices weren't for nothing."
Nora smiled warmly.
"You already have."
Across the city...
The Cole Estate was unusually quiet.
Ethan stood in the library, staring out at the rain-soaked gardens.
He had learned from one of the house staff that Nora had visited that afternoon.
His chest tightened.
He didn't need anyone to tell him why.
The soft click of heels echoed behind him.
"You've been avoiding me."
Margaret entered the library carrying a cup of tea.
"I've been busy."
"No."
"You've been angry."
Ethan turned to face her.
"What exactly did you say to Nora?"
Margaret remained composed.
"I invited her for tea."
"You offered her money."
"I offered her a choice."
"You insulted her."
Margaret calmly set the teacup on the table.
"I underestimated her."
That answer surprised him.
"What do you mean?"
"She refused the cheque."
Ethan couldn't hide the small smile that appeared on his face.
"I knew she would."
Margaret noticed.
"You care for her."
He didn't answer.
"You've always hidden your feelings behind your work."
She studied him for a moment.
"But not this time."
Finally, Ethan spoke.
"I don't know where this is going."
"I only know that when I'm with her..."
"I feel like myself again."
Margaret's expression softened almost imperceptibly.
"That is exactly what worries me."
The following morning...
Maple & Bean Café was filled with the comforting aroma of fresh coffee and warm bread.
Nora arrived before sunrise, hoping work would distract her from yesterday's meeting.
Instead...
Every time the door chimed, she found herself looking up.
Olivia noticed almost immediately.
"You're expecting someone."
"I'm not."
"Liar."
Nora sighed.
"Is it really that obvious?"
"You've looked at the door at least ten times."
Before Nora could answer...
The bell chimed once more.
Ethan stepped inside.
He looked tired.
As though he hadn't slept.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then Ethan walked toward the counter.
"I'm sorry."
Nora frowned.
"For what?"
"For my mother."
She looked down.
"You don't have to apologize."
"I do."
"What she did wasn't fair."
Nora folded her hands together.
"She loves you."
"That's why she did it."
"That doesn't make it right."
"No."
She smiled sadly.
"It doesn't."
Ethan searched her face.
"Did she hurt you?"
Nora thought carefully before answering.
"Not in the way you think."
He waited.
"She made me question whether I belong anywhere near your world."
Silence settled between them.
Finally, Ethan shook his head.
"There isn't my world and your world."
"There's just us."
The simple words stole Nora's breath.
She looked into his eyes.
There was no pity.
No hesitation.
Only honesty.
Olivia quietly placed two cups of coffee on the counter.
"I suddenly remembered I need to check the storeroom."
Neither of them stopped her.
As soon as she disappeared, Ethan smiled.
"I think she's becoming predictable."
Nora laughed.
"I've been saying that for weeks."
The tension between them eased.
For the first time since the meeting at the estate, Nora felt as though she could breathe again.
"I have something for you," Ethan said.
He reached into his briefcase and carefully removed a rolled sheet of paper tied with a blue ribbon.
"What is it?"
"Open it."
Curious, Nora untied the ribbon.
Inside was an architectural drawing.
A beautiful hand-sketched design of a neighborhood library surrounded by gardens and trees.
Her eyes widened.
"This is..."
"You described it over breakfast."
"I couldn't stop thinking about it."
She stared at the drawing in disbelief.
"You drew this?"
He nodded.
"I made a few changes to your idea."
Nora gently ran her fingers over the paper.
"It feels like..."
"My dream."
Ethan smiled.
"Then don't let it stay only a dream."
Before she could respond, the café door opened again.
A courier entered carrying a small bouquet of white lilies.
"Delivery for Miss Nora Daniels."
She accepted the flowers, confused.
"There isn't a card."
The courier hesitated.
"There is one message."
He handed her a folded note.
Nora opened it.
Her smile disappeared.
Some dreams are better left unfinished.
She looked up sharply.
"Who sent this?"
"I'm sorry," the courier replied.
"It was anonymous."
Across the café, Ethan read the fear in her eyes.
He took the note from her hand.
His expression darkened.
He already knew...
This wasn't a coincidence.
Somewhere outside the café...
Someone was watching.
Again.
- Writer
