Semua Bab The Plus-Size Ex-Wife's Comeback: Bab 21 - Bab 30

Nora's POVThe car slowed to a stop outside the venue and even through the tinted windows I could see the wall of paparazzi already lined up along the entrance, cameras flashing.I stared out at it and felt my chest tighten."I don't know how to feel honestly," I said quietly. "This is my first public event where I actually get to feel like myself. Not embarrassed that I'll be mocked, not worried my dress isn't good enough, not standing two steps behind everyone else because that's where I was told I belonged."Norman was quiet, listening."And it's not even just Dennis," I continued, my voice catching. "It's my father too. He's been ashamed of me my entire life, Norman. A sick child, below his expectations, something he hid away from the world for over thirty years. And the first condition he ever gave me to be seen, to actually exist publicly, was to get married and have a child. Like I had to earn the right to be his daughter in front of other people."I hadn't realized I was cryin

Nora's POVThe room erupted into confused murmurs the second the words left my mouth.My father was on his feet before I had even finished speaking, pushing past two board members to reach our table. He grabbed my shoulders and turned me toward him, his eyes scanning my face like he was trying to remember it underneath everything that had changed."How is this possible," he breathed. "You're different, you look completely different. Are you certain you're Genevieve?"A bitter laugh escaped me."Isn't it strange," I said, "that a father wouldn't even recognize his own daughter?"Around us, the murmuring grew louder, more guests rising slightly from their seats to get a better view of what was unfolding."I don't blame you, though," I continued, my voice shaking now, tears gathering despite every effort to hold them back. ."How could you recognize me, when you had me locked away for over thirty years because you were ashamed of what the world would say? Ashamed because I wasn't the da

Nora's POV Dennis's earlier bravado collapsed entirely the moment he registered the weight of what I'd just said."The cameras," he said quickly, glancing around at the dozens of phones already raised throughout the room.“Everyone is watching, Nora…I mean Genevieve, we can't do this here. For the sake of everything we once had together, please, let's step outside and talk privately."Nadia rounded on him immediately."What is wrong with you?" she snapped. "Why have you suddenly turned into a coward over an empty threat?" She turned back to me, chin lifted defiantly. "I dare you, Nora, or Genevieve, or whatever you're calling yourself tonight. Do your absolute worst. You can't do more damage than a dead rat scratching at a locked door. We both know you're just blabbing to save face in front of all these people.""You called us fraudsters," she continued, emboldened. "Where exactly is your evidence? Show it, or sit down and let the adults finish this conversation."Norman smiled and

Nora's POVBy the time we pulled up outside the Lennox Global building, there was already a crowd gathered near the entrance, the media clustered in tight knots, cameras raised, necks craning toward the car the moment it slowed."Lennox's new CEO is here!""Mrs. Adams! Mrs. Adams, can we get a statement!""Is it true you faked your own death? Genevieve, look this way please!"I stared out the window, momentarily frozen, my pulse picking up despite myself. "Who are all these people? Why are they congregating like this?""Don't worry, Mrs. Adams," Marissa said smoothly, already gathering her folio and reaching for the door handle. "This is exactly what I prepared you for this morning. I'll handle it."She stepped out first, opened an umbrella despite the clear morning sky, purely as a shield against the wall of cameras, and guided me toward the entrance."Ms. Lennox will not be taking questions this morning," she announced firmly to the cluster of reporters pressing closer. "A formal s

Nora's POV The shopping spree with Patricia lasted three hours and resulted in far more clothes than I'd planned to buy, mostly because Patricia had an opinion about everything.By the time we were done, I had evening gowns, day dresses, two pairs of heels I was genuinely afraid of, and enough lingerie to make me blush just looking at the shopping bags."Norman is going to lose his mind," Patricia said with deep satisfaction as we loaded everything into the car.I laughed. "That was clearly the goal."She winked. "Oh, it absolutely was. Every single item was chosen with maximum destruction in mind."I shook my head, still smiling. "Thank you so much, Patricia. I genuinely had fun today. More than I expected.""My pleasure, sweetheart." She squeezed my arm. "Just wait until Norman sees everything. The man won't know what hit him."The driver dropped me back at Lennox Global at four instead of taking me home, and I slipped back upstairs before anyone could talk me out of it.I told my