Filed to story: The Daughter in the Shadows (Yunice) Book by Una Norris
She was just about to head to the director’s office when she suddenly heard a loud thump behind her-the unmistakable sound of a body hitting the ground hard.
Yunice knew that sound well. She’d heard it countless times in hospitals. It was the kind of fall that happened when a frail patient lost control of their body. No defense, no warning. The kind of fall that could mean broken bones-or worse.
She looked back instinctively, but the rehab center seemed empty.
She stepped inside and found the source.
Underneath a pair of parallel bars, a woman lay collapsed on the floor.
Even from behind, it was clear she had a delicate frame, long black hair falling in soft waves over her pale neck. One look, and you could tell she was a striking young woman.
Hearing footsteps, the girl turned her head.
Yunice stopped in her tracks.
The woman on the floor… was Nora.
Yunice frowned as she stared at the extinguished reed stick in her hand. The scent told her everything she needed to know.
At first, she’d been intrigued-surprised that someone still knew how to use this old-school mosquito repellent.
But seeing Nora now made it clear: it had been placed there specifically to lure her in.
Because very few people knew she was allergic to the smell of burning reed.
Nora was curled up on the floor. Yunice stood several paces away, the two of them quietly sizing each other up. Neither made the first move.
After more than ten seconds, Nora bit her lip, her eyes soft. “…Aren’t you going to help me up?”
She winced as she pressed a hand to her bleeding knee. Her brows pinched together, and she looked at Yunice again. “I really don’t think I can get up…”
She was trying to bait Yunice into helping her.
Yunice had seen this trick too many times on Lily to fall for it. The moment she reached out a hand, someone would appear behind her-just in time to see her “pushing” Nora to the floor.
Still, Yunice stepped forward and took Nora’s arm, pulling her upright.
Nora’s legs had no strength in them. Her whole body looked frail and sickly.
She hesitated, eyes scanning Yunice’s face up close-those features so similar to her own-and couldn’t help asking, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll say you pushed me?”
Yunice’s expression was calm. “You can try.”
Nora’s brows furrowed deeper. She gripped Yunice’s wrist tightly, as if trying to force her to take her seriously. Her tone turned bitter. “We’re romantic rivals. You really believe Wyatt will always take your side?”
Yunice looked steadily at her. Did Nora know why she had helped her up?
Because she wanted to see what Nora would do-and how Wyatt would respond.
Yunice asked, “You think we’re romantic rivals?”
A flicker of guilt crossed Nora’s gaze. She bit her lip.
Yunice pressed, “Before your accident, while you were still conscious-did Wyatt break up with you?”
“That answer matters to me. You can lie, but I’ll ask him to confirm.”
Nora wouldn’t meet her eyes. But Yunice’s calm confidence seemed to provoke her. She lifted her chin. “Haven’t you ever asked Wyatt how he described our relationship?”
“I’ve heard enough versions from everyone else,” Yunice said. “Now I want to hear yours.”
Nora stared at her for a long moment before she gave a wry smile. “You really like to get to the bottom of everything, don’t you?”
“I’ve been cursed as a homewrecker, a mistress, for so long because no one clarified what your relationship with Wyatt was. I need to know.”
The amusement drained from Nora’s eyes. She gripped Yunice’s other arm now too, as if trying to lean all her weight on her.
Her voice turned intense. “Then tell me first-what did he say about us?”
Yunice frowned. She understood the need to hear how someone you loved spoke of you.
She wasn’t the kind to sugarcoat things, especially in matters of the heart. There was no such thing as a kind lie. Only truth and clarity could lead to the right choices.
So she told her honestly, “Wyatt said you two were together once. That later, you broke up. You’re his ex.”
“He said you approached him with ulterior motives, and that you caused the steel mill accident. But when things went south, you had a change of heart and used your life to save his.”
Yunice paused. “Is there anything I should add?”
Nora just stared at her, expression unreadable. Her eyes shimmered with madness and sorrow, darting over Yunice’s face like she was trying to figure out how much of that was real and how much was a lie.
Then she gave a low laugh. “That’s what he told you?”
Yunice’s brow creased. “You’re laughing. So he lied?”
But Nora wasn’t smiling anymore. Her eyes had gone hollow, filled with something deeper-something lost.
And then she looked past Yunice’s shoulder.
Yunice’s heart sank. She realized immediately-Wyatt was probably behind her.
She looked down at Nora, still half-held in her arms, and waited for the stunt she assumed was coming.
But Nora looked up and met her gaze, smiling faintly. “Yunice, your husband’s here.”
Wyatt stepped inside just as Yunice settled Nora into a wheelchair.
His gaze dropped to Nora, who discreetly pulled her skirt over the blood on her knee.
Nora caught the motion too, and as Wyatt neared, his hand reached out naturally and rested on Yunice’s wrist.
With a serene smile, Nora said, “Wyatt, I slipped during rehab earlier. If it weren’t for your wife, I don’t know how I would’ve gotten up.”
The Truth Beneath the Bruises
Nora’s calf, only partially concealed, was mottled with bruises – no telling if they were from falling or being hit.
Wyatt’s gaze moved to her face, noting the swollen cheek and distinct handprint from a slap.
Sensing his attention, Nora lowered her eyes and subtly turned her injured side away so he couldn’t see it.
Yunice noticed the exchange and voiced the question for him. “Where’s your nurse? Why are you here alone?”
Nora didn’t respond.
Wyatt answered, “Maine was arrested an hour ago for perjury.”
Yunice turned to him, stunned. That fast?
Wyatt looked to Nora. “There’s no turning back for Morgan now. Accept it.”
Just as Wyatt was about to leave, Nora lifted her head. “I know you want to help Oscar. But what if there’s a compromise? I’m Morgan’s sister – I know him. He’s reckless, sure, and he takes things too far sometimes. But have you forgotten? He has a blood phobia. Even if he wanted to kill Elsie, he wouldn’t have used wrist-slitting. Morgan is Grandma’s whole world. If he dies, she won’t survive it. Even if you won’t help Morgan directly, at least help uncover the truth. Help him get a commuted sentence.”