Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 111

“Ferris, book three tickets to San Francisco. Right now!”

“Three?” Ferris Quinn froze in surprise.

“You, me, and Juliette.”

Ferris stared at him in disbelief. What was Edmond doing? Wasn't he going to San Francisco to beg Nora for a second chance?

Why would he bring Juliette along?

But seeing the heavy bloodshot strain in Edmond's eyes, Ferris pressed his lips together and asked cautiously, “Are you absolutely sure you want to bring Juliette?”

“Why wouldn't I?”

Ferris moistened his dry lips. “Didn't Nora break things off with you precisely because of her? She...”

“That is exactly why Juliette needs to come.”

Edmond cut him off. “Nora is definitely still mad at her. I'll have Juliette apologize in person, and we can finally put this whole mess behind us. Besides, we're all going to be family eventually. We can't keep giving each other the cold shoulder.”

Family.

Hearing that word, a wave of sheer absurdity washed over Ferris.

Juliette had cost Nora her hearing and humiliated her time and time again. How could they ever be a family after that?

“Enough. Hurry up and book the flights.”

Ferris took a deep breath. “Alright, I'm on it.”

Watching his friend hurry out the door, Edmond reached into his pocket and pulled out two velvet boxes.

One was fresh from the jeweler that morning, holding the diamond ring he had personally selected.

The other box was slightly smaller, the one he had retrieved from the hospital a few days ago.

Edmond took the ring out, his thumb tracing the two words engraved on the inner band.

In the past, he had always taken her devotion for granted.

She loved him, so he assumed she was obligated to do everything for him.

He had grown accustomed to her sacrifices, her endless compromises, and her constant presence just a step behind him, always there whenever he glanced back.

Nora gasped in panic and slammed on the brakes. The momentum threw her forward before the seatbelt jerked her back, slamming her shoulders hard against the seat.

Heart hammering against her ribs, she looked up through the windshield—and locked eyes with a bloodshot, desperate gaze.

It was Edmond.

He looked awful. Dark circles bruised his under-eyes, a shadow of rough stubble coated his jaw, and he radiated a wretched, exhausted despair.

He stood frozen in front of the car, his hands braced flat against the hood, staring intensely at her through the glass.

“Edmond, are you out of your mind?”

Edmond's eyes were rimmed with red. When he spoke, his voice was so raspy it was barely a whisper. “Nora, we need to talk.”

“There is absolutely nothing to talk about.” Nora marched past the front of her car and headed straight for the elevators.

Frantic footsteps echoed behind her.

A second later, a hand seized her wrist in a vice grip. The force spun her around, and her back slammed against the cold concrete wall. A soft groan of pain slipped past her lips.