BACK TO RUIN HIM

Nora's Agreement

I was still sitting by her side when she woke up. Knowing she’d be surprised to see me there, I braced myself for her reaction.

She only glared at me, too exhausted to speak.

“Hello, Nora, how are you?” I said, trying to sound warm.

She didn’t respond. Her gaze fixed on the doctor who had just walked in, as if I were invisible.

“Lucky for you, Mr. Victor brought you in just in time. You’re safe now,” the doctor said to Nora, her lips curled up. I felt a surge of pride.

But Nora didn’t flinch. Still staring at the doctor, she touched her flat stomach. “Is my baby okay?”

The question wasn’t directed at me, but it hit me hard, I felt the weight of those words.

When the doctor delivered the devastating news, Nora lost control. She nearly attacked the poor doctor with a pair of scissors, her grief erupting into chaos.

Her anger and sorrow over the loss of her child gave me the leverage I needed to turn her against Jacob, though I couldn’t help but pity her pain.

She was in deep pains, I don't even know how I would feel if something happens to my son.

The nurses restrained her as if she were a thief, their roughness pushing me to act. I wanted to pull her close and console her but it might send the wrong signal which I was not ready for, so I gently touched her leg and consoled her, without sparing a moment to remind her of the pain Jacob had caused her, how he was responsible for her loss.

After a while, she calmed down and fell asleep, I felt relieved.

***

“I’m glad you’re awake,” I said, forcing a smile. She stayed silent, her eyes branding me as the enemy…which, in a way, I was.

“Are you alright?” I asked, growing concerned.

“Stop the act, Victor,” she finally said, her voice sharp, as if she already knew my intentions.

“Why are you here?” Her tone was cold, her soft voice laced with pain, and her body covered in the hospital sheets.

Her eyes burned with resentment and hatred towards me.

I wanted to convince her of my sincerity, but she wasn’t ready to listen. “You know I’m not heartless, right?” I said, trying to soothe her.

“You are heartless, Victor. Don’t play your games with me!” she spat.

Her attitude sparked my anger. How could she speak to me like this when I was the one who saved her?

“Look, Nora, I know what happened at the party and how Jacob treats you,” I said, turning her pain against her. My eyes flicked to the photos Mattias had sent me.

Tears rolled down her cheeks as my words filled the room. Something in her seemed to break.

I felt a pang of guilt but also satisfaction, I was so happy that she was falling for my plan.

“Jacob has caused you so much pain.” I placed a file beside her, containing her medical scans and printed photos of Jacob’s abuse.

She didn’t hesitate to pick it up. Glancing at the pictures and results, she wiped her eyes with her palms and sniffed, still not uttering any word to me.

“Will you keep siding with Jacob, or will you take as business… like me?” I asked softly.

Inside, I gave a sinister smile. It was clear Nora wouldn’t refuse me nobody in her situation would do so.

After minutes of arguing and persuading, trying to make her see reasons with me before she finally agreed.

“Deal,” she said.

I reminded her how we’d bring Jacob down with her brain and strategies while I support with my wealth, knowing she had no resources left to fight him alone.

As I stood to leave, her voice cut through me. “I still hate you, Victor.” Her words stung, but I shrugged them off.

“You’ll get the revenge you want. Trust me,” I replied, keeping my tone steady.

Gripping the door handle, I was about to leave when her voice stopped me again.

“When do we start?”

“Whenever you’re ready,” I said, then walked out.

As I climbed into my car, joy surged through me she agreed faster than I expected. Now I have gotten the perfect weapon against Jacob, and this time, I was certain I’d win.

****

The next day, I sent my driver to pick Nora up from the hospital. I had no reason to return to the hospital since I have already cleared her bills.

“Make sure the room is spotless. It’s for my special guest,” I instructed the head maid.

I wanted everything perfect for Nora’s arrival, I wanted her to be comfortable.

When the car pulled into the compound, I went downstairs to greet her myself, knowing it would surprise her to see me welcoming her myself.

Despite my warm welcome, which I was sure she appreciated deep down, she remained guarded.

While taking her to the room that was already prepared for her, I gave her a quick tour around the house.

She wanted to start hunting Jacob immediately, too consumed by pain to rest or heal. Standing in front of her room, I saw a wounded lioness in her eyes, ready to destroy anything in her path to revenge. That was exactly what I needed.

“Since you have a plan, we’ll discuss it in my office tomorrow, for now get some rest” I said, allowing her to take her time because she looks worn out.

She nodded, and I left for my room to prepare for her strategy.

But as I layed down on my bed to rest, A knock on my door startled me. “Who’s there?” No one was allowed in my private room, and my son wasn’t home yet. “ Who could it be?”