Chapter 3

“I just wanted to bring Nathan some hangover soup.”

Chloe gripped the thermos tighter, her knuckles turning white.

“I knew he was going to ask you out tonight, so I wasn't going to come. But Mr. Miller said Nathan’s stomach has been acting up and asked me to check on him.”

“I didn't realize Nora would look down on my background.”

She emphasized her lack of a degree so softly it was barely audible.

Nathan’s expression instantly transformed into protective concern.

He walked over, took the thermos, and shielded Chloe behind him.

“Nobody is looking down on you.”

“I heard everything just now,” Chloe said with a fragile, tremulous smile, a tear clinging to her lashes. “Evelyn said I only have a high school diploma and would be useless to the team. She’s right. I am useless.”

“Once you guys graduate, I’ll just go back to my hometown. I won’t get in your way.”

She turned as if to leave.

Nathan grabbed her arm. “Go back and do what?”

“I’ll find something. Anything.”

“Chloe.” His voice dropped into a gentle, soothing register. “I promised your dad I’d look after you. Your position is already settled. Nobody has the right to kick you out.”

“Who said anything about kicking her out?” Evelyn tilted her head. “We’re just refusing to babysit her. Fulfill your own promises on your own dime. Is that concept too hard for you to grasp?”

“Do you have any idea how cruel you sound right now?” Nathan’s anger finally bubbled over. “She couldn't go to college because her family couldn't afford it. That doesn't make her lesser than either of you. Does waving your degrees around make you feel superior?”

Evelyn started to snap back, but I rested a hand on her arm.

In my previous life, whenever Chloe brought up missing out on higher education, Nathan went out of his way to compensate her.

My first summer corporate internship spot went to her because Nathan insisted my GPA was stellar and I could easily land another one.

After we married, the company’s only executive training seminar went to her because he claimed I was already capable and didn’t need the credential.

Every time I yielded, he took it as proof that I had infinite room to fall back.

And everything Chloe took became a status symbol she couldn't afford to lose.

I looked directly at Nathan.

“Nathan, nobody called her inferior. You decided to dump her onto my team without asking me, and I refused.”

“Your team?” He let out a scoff. “The company hasn’t even launched, and you’re already marking territory?”

“Then it’s even simpler. I’m out.”

“Stop threatening to walk away every time you don't get your way!”

He handed the thermos back to Chloe and walked straight up to me.

“Nora, I know she bothers you. But strip away your grades, your awards, and a few business plans—what else do you bring to the table?”

“At least Chloe doesn’t turn personal relationships into a ledger. At least she doesn’t publicly humiliate me.”

A draft blew in from the unlatched window at the end of the hall.

A phantom chill seized the right side of my ribcage.

Even though this body carried no physical injuries, I could almost hear the wet crack of bone piercing lung tissue all over again.

On that washed-out mountain road in my past life, he had said something strikingly similar:

“Nora, you can still talk, which means you aren't hurt that badly. Chloe is completely unconscious. She needs me more than you do.”

The one who could endure pain was always the one left behind to suffer.

“And another thing,” Nathan added, the disappointment in his eyes outweighing his fury. “You spent all these years in school, yet you never learned basic empathy. Chloe has a purer heart than anyone who only cares about what they can extract from people.”

Evelyn’s arm tensed against mine.

Instead of holding her back, I gently let go.

“That’s wonderful,” I said.