Filed to story: The Daughter in the Shadows (Yunice) Book by Una Norris
Her back pressed against his chest, she could feel his steady heartbeat. Once she was sure he was asleep, Yunice gently took his hand-his fingers had snuck under her clothes-and carefully moved it away, setting it beside him. To help him sleep better, she had even sprinkled a bit of sleep aid on her hair. So when she quietly slipped out of bed, Wyatt didn’t wake.
Yunice didn’t stay in the room. She opened the door-and was caught off guard as she locked eyes with someone sitting in the living room. The woman stood abruptly, clearly noticing Yunice fixing her hair.
Yunice had just come out of Wyatt’s room, wearing pajamas, adjusting her hair. Any adult would know exactly what had just happened. Elianna frowned and almost blurted something out-but then remembered Wyatt’s warning. She bit it back and slumped onto the couch.
Sensing the tension between them, the maid quickly stepped in and apologized to Yunice. “Madam, Miss Elianna came by while you and Sir were resting. We didn’t want to disturb you… but we also couldn’t make her wait outside…”
Elianna shot a look over like she owned the place, casually nibbling fruit off the coffee table. Yunice walked over, but before she could sit down, Elianna spoke up. “Hey, don’t mind me. I’m here to see Wyatt-not you.”
Even though Elianna clearly didn’t welcome her, Yunice sat down anyway. “Wyatt’s asleep. You’ll probably have to wait…” She did a quick calculation. “About four hours.”
Elianna frowned. “That long? Did you drug him?”
Yunice raised an eyebrow without answering and casually changed the subject. “Well, since we’re both stuck here, how about keeping me company with a chat?”
Elianna brought a piece of fruit to her lips, clearly annoyed. “Don’t get friendly with me. There’s no way in hell we’re ever becoming besties.”
Yunice responded lightly, “Is it because you were closer to Nora?”
Elianna nearly choked on her lychee. “You actually know…” She looked around, suddenly alert, like she was afraid someone might overhear. Wyatt never let them mention Nora, especially not in front of Yunice.
Yunice said, “I don’t just know her. I’ve met her.”
Elianna stared at Yunice, her gaze even more judgmental-and disgusted. “Then you know everything, and you’re still shamelessly clinging to Wyatt?”
Yunice gave a short laugh. “You’ve got it backward. Wyatt’s the one clinging to me-not the other way around.”
Elianna was just about to argue when Yunice cut her off. “Wyatt’s not the kind of guy who just lets himself get clung to. If he didn’t want this, who could possibly make him stay?”
Elianna faltered. She had to admit-Yunice had a point.
Yunice glanced toward the stairs. “Come talk with me. I want to know more about Wyatt and Ms. Nora’s past.”
Yunice headed upstairs. Elianna hesitated, then followed, unsure of her own motives. They ended up in the dressing room. Elianna’s attention was immediately drawn to the rows of dresses. Coming from the fashion world, she instantly recognized the quality and craftsmanship of the materials and cuts. But when she checked the tags and found none, she scoffed and lost interest.
Yunice quietly observed her. If Elianna didn’t recognize the clothes, then she clearly didn’t know Wyatt could design and make them.
Elianna leaned on the vanity. “My dad used to be Wyatt’s driver-before Jordan. Wyatt took him everywhere. He handled a lot of Wyatt’s errands. Since my mom passed away early, my dad had to shuttle me around too. So whenever Wyatt went to events, my dad would often bring me along to wait backstage.”
She continued, “I was there the day Wyatt first met Nora. She had a short bob back then, a small face, beautiful eyes…” She glanced at Yunice. “You do kind of look like her.”
Yunice frowned. No one likes hearing they resemble someone else.
Elianna went on. “That day, the client basically pushed a woman at Wyatt-might as well have been an escort. They shoved Nora right onto him.” Even now, Elianna looked baffled. “Stuff like that never worked before. But this time it did. None of us could figure out why Wyatt treated Nora differently. My dad said it was fate-like they had chemistry.”
She added, “Nora was gentle and cried easily. I didn’t like her at first. But she was so considerate and sweet. She never minded me clinging to Wyatt, always reminded him to buy me gifts and take care of me because I didn’t have a mom.”
She looked down for a second. “Both my dad and I were grateful to her. But there was something strange-Wyatt never touched her. No hugging, no kissing, nothing. I asked my dad why. Didn’t couples usually hold hands and kiss and stuff?” She shot Yunice a jealous look, clearly implying that Wyatt was much more physical with her.
Yunice summed it up. “So they had a platonic relationship?”
Elianna said, “My dad said they were just shy young people.”
Shy? That word didn’t fit Wyatt at all. In bed, he was downright aggressive.
Elianna continued, “Still, even without touching, they’d look at each other with so much feeling. Every time Wyatt looked at her, Nora would tuck her hair behind her ear and smile down. My dad said that was real love-deep, respectful, intimate.”
Yunice listened quietly, her mind drifting to thoughts of her own father. If what Wyatt said was true, how would Elianna react?
Yunice asked, “Any other memories? Like birthdays? Dates?”
, One Truth
Elianna paused, then said, “They did fight.”
She went on, “It happened right here. I was with my dad, and I heard yelling. I snuck over and peeked through a crack in the door. Nora was crying. There were clothes and makeup scattered all over the floor. Wyatt just stood there with a cold face. He didn’t comfort her.”
She added, “I didn’t hear much. My dad dragged me away and warned me not to repeat a word. But even before the accident, I always felt their relationship was… off. But then Nora took that hit for Wyatt, and I suddenly respected what they had.”
Yunice lowered her gaze. Everyone sees what they want to see.
To Maine, Wyatt and Nora were the picture of tragic romance.
To Wyatt, they were playing a game-manipulating and testing each other.
Now Elianna’s version painted a relationship that was restrained, conflicted, and wrapped in mystery.
And Yunice couldn’t shake the feeling that Elianna’s father knew more than he ever let on.
Elianna said, “Nora’s a vegetable now. She’ll never wake up. The past doesn’t matter anymore. We’ve all been standing up for her, but the dead are gone. The living have to move on. Wyatt’s young-he can’t mourn her forever.”
She added, “Yunice, I’ve accepted that you’re with Wyatt. Everyone says you’re good for him. Since marrying you, his leg’s healed, his career’s taken off, even the Powell family keeps hitting dead ends. Pavilion Hall needs a mistress eventually. If it’s you, fine.”
Yunice gave a faint smile. There’s no such thing as a “good match.” Wyatt made his own luck.
Elianna sighed. “As for Nora… guess she just wasn’t meant for happiness.”
She fell silent after that.
It was a harsh truth-too cruel for anyone to really accept. But no one had a better answer, either.
Just then, Yunice’s phone buzzed. She looked down to see a massive deposit had come through. Freya had added a note: Sold part of the diamond rings. Still looking for buyers for the rest.
Just part of the collection had brought in 80 million dollars.
Elianna left the dressing room.
Yunice had gotten the answers she needed. She saw no reason to entertain Elianna further.
She sat down and wired 10 million dollars to Quinton-plus interest.
The moment the payment cleared, Quinton called.
“You suddenly remembered to pay me back? You’re not in trouble or anything, are you?”
, One Truth
With all the noise around Oscar’s case, Yunice should’ve been swamped. Why was she handling this now?
Yunice said, “I’ve hit a wall. There’s no new lead for now. No point in stressing.”
Quinton replied, “I’ve already got someone on it. A guy I know just got locked up-might run into Oscar. I’ll have him poke around.”
Yunice blinked. “You went that far?”
Quinton said, “It worked out. Had a fall guy ready anyway-needed to lay low for a bit.”
He wasn’t shy about it. Wyatt had just as many shady dealings.
Yunice asked, “Bobby still got enough of his meds?”
“Running low,” Quinton said. “This batch got held up at customs. I even asked Mr. Carl-couldn’t find more anywhere.”