Chapter 42 42

Chapter 42 42
Nora’s POV

It’s been two weeks since the incident with Julian.

Even though we still aren’t on talking terms, he was treating me a lot better than before. He didn’t feed me with insults all day and I, on the other hand, kept more to myself and didn't dare to prank him again.

Sometimes, he would talk to me normally and address me like his wife, but on other days, the cold stares he would give me would send me running the other way. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t seem to understand him.

We went on two more dinner parties over the past week and they went really well. They were the only times Julian gave me attention and made me feel like a woman, but once we walked back into the mansion, his cold self would take over.

I wasn’t complaining. I knew he hated me with a passion and there was nothing I was going to do about it. I enjoyed the alone times I had because things with Julian were unpredictable.

Today, I was bored out of my mind as usual so I sat on my bed and flicked through some photos I had taken along with me from the house when I had been packing my things. I knew each one of them by heart already from my continuous visits to them.

Then, my phone lit up with a call. Frowning, I checked to see who was calling because I haven’t had a call in weeks now.

Aria?

My hand hovered over the phone as I contemplated picking up. The last time we ever talked was on my wedding day where she told me how much she hated me. For a moment, I forgot about her.

What the hell could she possibly want now? She framed me and led me into this silly excuse for a marriage so why was she calling? Was it, perhaps, an emergency?

The call ended and I tried to relax, but I stiffened the second the phone began ringing again. I swallowed hard and braced myself before picking up.

“Hello Aria,” I said in a small voice.

“Hello Nora, it’s been a while,” she said.

“I guess so. Is something wrong?” I asked.

“No, come on! Why would you think that?” She sounded too cheerful for me and I became alert immediately. She was definitely up to something.

“It’s because we’ve not talked for so many weeks. You swore never to reach out to me again, remember?” I asked.

She let out a dry laugh. “Come on Nora, you should know me by now. I don’t keep things to heart and I certainly hold nothing against you. Come on, we are good.”

I knew it was a terrible lie but I chose to keep quiet. I knew her game so well so I was going to play along with her.

“It’s fine. How are mom and dad? I’ve missed you guys so much,” I said, daring to relax.

“We missed you too, oh my God. It literally hurts not to talk to you for so long,” she whined. I rolled my eyes, thanking my stars she couldn’t see me. I only let out a gentle laugh.

“How is marriage life treating you? You sound so good,” she began.

“I can say the same for you, Aria,” I returned.

There was a moment of silence and I knew she was phrasing whatever it was she had to say.

“I actually called you for a reason,” she began. “Uhm, could you give me some money?”

I knew it!

“What do you mean, Aria?” I asked, playing dumb. I was going through hell over here and all she can think about is money?

“I mean I need some money. There’s this really good business idea that I’ve got and I need some money to put it to work,” she said.

I took a moment to get my thoughts together.

“Aria, you should know I have no money. You forced me into this marriage and I am not allowed to do anything. You know this.”

“Oh come on, don’t put it like that. I didn’t force you into anything, it just happened. And besides, I know you don’t have any money. I need you to get some money from your husband.”

I couldn’t help the burst of laughter that left my lips at her words.

“What is funny?” she asked, her tone running a bit cold.

“He does not give me any money, I’m sorry. I really wish I could help,” I said, trying to be as polite as ever.

“Well, I don’t believe you,” she snapped. Her usually harsh tone was coming back gradually as her needs weren’t being met.

“You have to believe me Aria. He wouldn’t give me money even if he had it.”

“He sure has a lot of it. He got three really big contracts recently, it’s all over the media. The little you can do is support my business.”

So she has been tracking Julian?

“Okay Aria, I got you. Just give me a couple of days to get your money, okay?” I wasn’t getting her any money, it was just a silly excuse.

There was silence on her end for a while before her mean voice snapped back at me.

“Bullshit! Do you think you can do me like that? Who the hell do you think you are? Listen, I need some money and I need it this very minute. I am not playing,” she spat.

Her real self was back.

“Aria, I don’t have any money, I swear it.”

“Too bad I don’t believe you. Try harder.”

Anger began to pool in my belly at her arrogance. She comes begging for money after all she has done to me? Worst of all, she wasn’t being nice, as always. I chose to challenge her.

“And what makes you think I give a fuck about what you think? It should be you in this hellhole right now, not me. I’ve got no money and that’s on period,” I snapped. It was the first time in years I was talking back at her.

She gasped at my audacity.

“Do you think you can raise your voice at me because you now live in a mansion?” she asked, her tone running even more cold.

“Can you please, leave me alone?” I asked, already tired of her.

“I see. I should have known you’re going to prove different.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, getting on guard immediately.

“Do you think I didn’t take evidence of that night?”

“What night?” I asked, fear filling me.

“The night you took my husband away from me. The night you forced yourself on him. Do you think I don’t have it?” she yelled.

Oh no.