Filed to story: The Daughter in the Shadows (Yunice) Book by Una Norris
“Maine, she’s Wyatt’s wife. She’s done nothing wrong. Don’t speak about her like that,” Nora said firmly.
“You…” Maine collapsed into a chair. “Everyone else fights tooth and nail, and you just give everything up. You’re too damn kind. That’s why you lost Wyatt in the first place!”
Seeing Nora still so passive, Maine couldn’t take it anymore. “Do you even know? To please Yunice, Wyatt threw Morgan in jail to take the fall for her brother!”
Nora’s brow furrowed, shocked. “What are you talking about?”
Maine’s frustration poured out. “You have no idea how far Wyatt spoils Yunice. She’s been milking her resemblance to you, asking him for everything!”
“He helped her cheat on her SATs, bribed universities, fabricated awards in her hospital ward-anything to make her look like an accomplished academic, just to scrub off that mental hospital label and make her shine!”
“But you, Nora… You spent more than ten years overseas, studying until your family hardly recognized you. Everything you earned-Yunice got in a single year.”
Nora’s fingers twitched, barely noticeable. She frowned. “Maine, I’m concerned about Morgan. Please don’t bring up anything unrelated.”
Maine fell silent, then pulled up an article on her phone. “This was a week ago-a huge rape and murder case in Beijing. The suspect who got taken away in front of everyone was Yunice’s biological brother, Oscar.”
“But yesterday, Morgan was suddenly found high at a club. While barely coherent, someone led him into confessing that he killed Elsie. Now he’s behind bars. They say he’s facing the death penalty…”
“Madam Mary and Mr. Morgan were frantic. They went to Pavilion Hall to beg Wyatt for help, but he wasn’t home. And those two elders had to endure Yunice’s cold face-Madam Mary almost fainted from the stress.”
Nora’s eyes turned red, veins pulsing at her temples.
She tried to sit up, tried to get out of bed. But after three years of lying still, even simple movements drained her-there was no way she could stand.
Maine saw the tears streaming down her cheeks and the veins straining in her neck as she struggled. Heart aching, she rushed to prop her up. “Look at you like this, and Wyatt still doesn’t care! For all we know, those two bastards are cuddling in bed right now!”
“Maine!” Nora snapped.
Pavilion Hall.
There was no sleep to be had tonight.
Wyatt reached out to hold Yunice’s hand as she faced away from him.
Without even turning her head, she jabbed him with her elbow.
He easily caught her arm and pulled her back into his arms. “What are you sulking about now?!”
Yunice didn’t even know what she was mad at. She just… couldn’t bring herself to feel at ease, being protected by Wyatt while Nora was still there-hovering, wounded, and watching.
“Come on,” Wyatt said. “We’re adults. Who doesn’t have a couple of past relationships? You were engaged to Paul for ten years-I never held that against you. So why can’t you let go of mine? Is that fair?”
Yunice replied, “But Nora was willing to die for you.”
And she had actually done it.
Wyatt answered, “I owe her. I can repay that debt. But just because she saved me doesn’t mean I have to repay her with love.”
“She and I broke up before her accident. I feel responsible for her-but I don’t love her.”
Yunice blinked, stunned. Wyatt rarely spoke so directly about his relationship with Nora.
If they had already broken up before Nora’s accident, then Yunice wasn’t a homewrecker after all.
That lifted a weight from her chest-but she still didn’t completely trust his words.
After all, men lie.
The next day, Wyatt asked Yunice to come to the office with him.
“I’m not going,” Yunice said. “I need to study. Finals are coming up. If I don’t pass, I won’t get credit, and it’ll affect my graduation.”
Wyatt closed her book. “There’s room for you at my desk.”
Yunice frowned and stared him down.
Wyatt didn’t flinch. He looked right back at her.
She sighed. “What are you even trying to do now?”
“Build our relationship,” he replied. “Look, I’m busy with work and social events all day. You’re always studying at home. We barely spend time together, and when we do, we’re always fighting. And you never text me during the day.”
“I want a real relationship with you, not some act. Come to work with me.”
He pulled her to her feet, insistent.
From the second-floor railing, Elianna rested her chin in her hands, watching them leave. “So boring… Maybe I should find a man too?”
In the car, Wyatt strapped Yunice into the passenger seat and started the engine. “From now on, I’ll take you everywhere. Watch closely and see if I ever go to meet Nora.”
“I…” Yunice was at a loss.
Sometimes Wyatt was completely unpredictable-hard to read. Other times, he hit you head-on with such direct honesty, you didn’t know how to respond.
Yunice usually took the VIP elevator straight to Wyatt’s office. But today, he insisted on holding her hand and parading her through the main office, right in front of the secretarial team.
To everyone who looked their way, he introduced her plainly. “This is my wife.”
Yunice quickly texted Laurie for help.
Within minutes, Laurie showed up with her white coat draped over her shoulders like a cape, walking with wide strides like a boss.
“Hey, Mr. Wyatt,” Laurie said, tapping his shoulder with the folder under her arm to get his attention. “Mind lending her to me for a bit? Jacky’s out today. I’m swamped.”
She was talking about Yunice, obviously.
Yunice gave Wyatt a hopeful look. Please let me go. Please don’t make me endure all this staring.
Wyatt glanced at Laurie. “No.”
Laurie pressed on, “Her internship paperwork still needs my signature. She’s got one last practical to finish. You want her to fail and delay graduation?”
At the words “your wife,” Wyatt’s eyebrows lifted slightly.
Seizing the chance, Laurie grabbed Yunice by the wrist. “I’m taking her. If you want her back, come pick her up at the lab.”
She turned decisively.
Yunice shot Wyatt one last look. He didn’t stop them.
Delighted, she quickly followed Laurie.
But just then, Laurie came to an abrupt halt.
Yunice followed her gaze-and froze in place, as if struck by lightning.
Down the hallway, Maine was pushing a wheelchair.
In it sat Nora.
A thin blanket was draped over her legs. She wore a white shirt dress. Her long black hair hung neatly around her pale, delicate face.