Chapter 63: Return from Honeymoon
"Pack your bags," he said curtly, his voice devoid of any emotion. "We’re leaving."
Nora had hoped for an apology, for some sign of regret in his eyes for the way he had treated her earlier in the evening. But instead, his words sent a shockwave through her.
Whenever they had shared a meal, silence had reigned but it had never felt this stifling. She could not fathom that this man would be so petty and hold something so silly against her. Before she could try to clear the matter again, he placed down his cutlery and left the table leaving her astounded.
Without a word she watched him walk away and stubbornly finished the rest of her meal. He was the one who had brought her here, with no regard for her opinion and now that he was angry, he wanted to leave. Well, she would not object but she would not also dance to his tune! She was going to enjoy this meal and then she would pack her bag.
However, soon, the food that she had been bent on enjoying, seemed tasteless and her eyes brimmed with unshed tears. Standing up, she cleared the table with a huff, dumping the food into the recycle bin and washing the dishes before she marched to her room. She wanted to apologize to him suddenly, try to clear their misunderstanding so that he would not treat her with such indifference.
As she moved to do just that, she was reminded of all the times something like this had occurred with her mother. She would do things for Lara Anderson, hoping that the woman would be happy with her. And she would even talk to her nicely sometimes but then she would be back to giving her snide remarks again, treating her with indifference, leaving her feeling lonely and confused.
Just what she was feeling right now. Unknown to her, tears started to flow and she had to breathe deeply through her blocked chest... No. They were in a different situation now. Lara Anderson had been her mother, someone who was important to her. Meanwhile, Demetri Frost was simply a contract partner who was in her life during this transitory period for three years. His opinion of her made no difference to her. All that mattered was that he treat her with respect as long as they were a part of this charade.
Silently, she began packing her bags, folding her clothes and placing them in the suitcase with a heavy heart. She’d become complacent. She would have to solidify her defenses and lower her expectations from those around her.
Once her bags were packed, Nora followed Demetri to the private jet. The atmosphere inside the plane was tense, the silence between them suffocating. Nora couldn’t bring herself to speak, and Demetri showed no inclination to break the ice either.
The entire return flight from the island was a contradiction to what she had been feeling when going there. She’d marvelled at everything and enjoyed every moment. And now, she saw nothing, lost in her own thoughts.
When the plane landed, Demetri stood up without a word, his body language distant and unyielding. As they stepped off the plane, Demetri’s voice broke through her thoughts as he instructed, "A driver is waiting to take you to the house."