Requiem of a Broken Heart

Chapter 44 Chapter 44: With each word that left his lips, Leif felt his heart tighten.

He knew he couldn't afford to cross either Shelly or Yvonne.

Hearing the n"Shelly," Yvonne wasn't surprised. She knew it had to be Shelly causing trouble again.

Lately, Norton had been glued to that model's side. Word was, their nights were a blur of parties and excess, with him spoiling her like royalty, ready to do anything to keep her happy.

Even Edmond Burke, Norton's grandfather, had brought it up a few times. But Yvonne had always dismissed it with a nonchalant, "It's nothing serious." After all, she had her pride, and complaining to Edmond was beneath her.

"What happened? Telleverything," she demanded.

Leif hesitated for a moment before finally explaining, "Miss Tucker once cto Mr. Burke in tears, saying she had been humiliated after failing to pay for something. She told him everything, and after hearing her out... he instructedto reduce your card limit." Yvonne scoffed, her expression filled with icy contempt.

She remembered that incident all too well.

Ever since Shelly had caught Norton's attention, she had been parading around like she owned the world. Yvonne had once seen her shamelessly flashing Norton's card, spending money as if it were endless. Irritated, she had the card frozen on purpose, leaving Shelly stranded and humiliated when she couldn't pay. Step into new worlds with galnovsShe hadn't thought Shelly would be so petty as to run straight to Norton, tattling like a spoiled child. Yvonne had clearly underestimated her. Looks like it was tto start taking Shelly seriously.

The moment Norton's meeting wrapped up, Yvonne strode directly into his office.

Norton barely glanced up before shifting his focus back down. "What do you want?" Yvonne had grown used to being dismissed by him, so she barely batted an eye.

"I need money. Put the limit back on my card, and I'll be out of your hair." This time, he actually lifted his head, giving her a sharp, scrutinizing look. In the past, whenever she showed up at his office, it was either to argue or just to remind him she existed. Other times, it was to beg for his help in covering her family's endless debts. But this was the first tshe had ever cstraight out with a request like this.

"My family has given you everything-food, shelter, luxury. I don't see why you need an excessive card limit on top of that." Yvonne stepped forward, her stunning features set with unwavering defiance. "Norton, are you really this eager to crushfor Shelly's sake? To tell you the truth, I need money now. If you're dead set on siding with her, I can always go to your grandpa instead." Her words hit a sore spot. Norton's expression turned cold in an instant, and his tone dropped to an icy warning. "Don't even think about it." "And why wouldn't I?" She met his glare without hesitation. "Go ahead, but don't say I didn't warn you. If you drag my grandpa into this, don't expectto lift a finger for your family's debts ever again." Yvonne's anger surged. She stood there, shaking with rage. "You bastard! Is this the only way you know how to twist my arm? What other dirty tricks are you hiding?" Norton let out a cold sneer and said, "Con, drop the act. If your family wasn't neck-deep in debt, would you have ever said yes to this marriage?" "That's not true! I married you because—” Yvonne suddenly trailed off. The way he stared at her—cold and unshaken-made it impossible for her to say another word.

There was no way she was going to tell this stone-hearted man that she had married him out of love.

"Fine. You win. If you weren't still useful, I'd rather wait tables than be stuck with you." "Get out!" Norton's patience snapped, and he roared at her.

Yvonne stiffened, then turned on her heel and walked out without another word. She wasn't going to beg-what was the point? Edmond was her only other option, but deep down, she knew pushing Norton too far might make him cut off his financial help entirely.

After all, the monthly payments alone were ten million-a debt that stretched into the billions.

No matter how hard she worked, she'd never be able to pay it off in a lifetime.

Once she got home, she pulled open her wardrobe and began sorting through anything of value-jewelry, designer handbags, clothes-anything that could fetch a decent price.

She had already sold off most of her belongings when her family went bankrupt, leaving behind only items of little worth.

Even after marrying Norton, she had never indulged in extravagant purchases, so there wasn't much left to gather.

In the end, she barely managed to scrape together eight hundred thousand.

"Sweetie, I sent the money, babe. It's only eight hundred thousand-not the full million, but it's all I could get." To Rachel, that amount was already a big deal.

She knew Yvonne must have struggled to put it together.

"Yvonne, thank you. You've already done more than enough. I'll handle the rest.” "You're welcome. Don't push yourself too hard. If things get tough, just letknow. Love you!" In times like these, a little support from a friend meant everything.

Yvonne had never been the type to hold back her affection.

But the last thing she expected was to turn around and find Norton standing behind her like a ghost. "You..." The words barely left her lips before he stepped forward, caging her against the wall.

His voice was low and filled with anger, as though he was ready to tear her apart. "Sweetie? Love you?" He repeated her words, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her scalp tingle.

But Yvonne stood her ground. She met his gaze and shot back, "And what about it? You throw around 'darling' and 'babe' like it's m nothing-buying women jewelry, cars, mansions, showering them with money-yet I can't even say a few words? You do have double standards. If you can do it, so can I. We agreed to stay out of each other's business, didn't we? You and Shelly have been making headlines with your little scandal, and I haven't said a damn thing.” Norton's eyes turned cold as he ripped off his tie and flung it aside.

He loosened his collar, exposing his defined collarbones, and closed the distance between them, his breath searing against her ear.

His voice dropped to a low, menacing tone.

"Yvonne, listen carefully. You're my wife. If you so much as think about cheating onor getting involved with another man, I'll make sure you regret it. And your secret lover? I'll ruin him without hesitation. If you're brave enough, try me." In all the years she had known him, she had never seen him this terrifying. His bloodshot eyes burned with a rage that threatened to consher.

"You have double standards. You can't do this to me." Her voice shook, her earlier defiance slipping away.

"Exactly." Norton suddenly lifted her chin, his eyes locking onto hers with a possessive intensity. "That's who I am. I don't share what's mine. Not even a little. So, stay faithful. And if one day I decide to check and find that you're not a virgin, don't count onpaying another dfor your family's debts." Yvonne's hands curled into fists, her nails biting into her palms.

In that instant, she felt her pride crumble, crushed beneath his words like shattered glass.

She felt like the ground had been ripped from under her as Norton turned to leave. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed.

But she refused to stay down. Forcing herself up, she stumbled forward, blocking his way before he could walk out.

"Wait!" Norton let out an exasperated sigh and turned back to her. "What now?"