Chapter 5 Just as Hilda was about to leave , Damien intercepted her at the office door , breathless . " Did Nora resign ? " he asked . Hilda gave him a puzzled look . " Wait … you didn't know ? She was absolutely determined to quit today . She even made it clear that it had nothing to do with you and said she'd talk to you when the time was right . " The news hit Damien like a shockwave . He stood there , stunned and speechless . His mind was instantly flooded with memories of me , with countless times I'd hesitated , just about to say something . But he had always been distracted by Astrid . Even earlier that day , he'd defended her without a second thought , never once giving me the chance to speak to him alone . His focus had always been on her . Suddenly , he grabbed Hilda by the shoulders , desperation creeping into his voice . " Do you know where she went ? " Without missing a beat , Hilda shrugged off his grip . " She's not my employee anymore . How would I know ? If you want answers , you'll have to call her yourself . " With all leads gone , Damien remained frozen in his office , lost in thought . In the quiet that followed , memories of us flooded his mind . Five years ago , we met for the first time just outside the gates of National University of Politics and Law . I had just finished working on a legal case with my mentor and was walking back to the dorm alone when Damien noticed me . Despite my protests , he insisted on carrying my luggage all the way to the undergraduate women's dorm . It was then that I awkwardly had to tell him I was actually a graduate student . That unexpected moment sparked the beginning of our connection . From then on , fate seemed determined to bring us together , leading us to share meals and attend lectures side by side . Slowly , our friendship deepened into something more . I eventually followed him to Aberton , filled with hope that we could build a life together in that unfamiliar place . But just as marriage began to feel like a real possibility , Astrid arrived as an intern and gradually took up more and more of Damien's attention . Audrey was furious on my behalf , calling Astrid shameless . But deep down , I knew the truth . The real issue wasn't Astrid . It was Damien . Even if Astrid hadn't come into the picture this year , someone else would have . Damien was always going to end up hurting me for someone else . Growing restless from sitting too long , Damien slowly stood up . As he moved , a faint , familiar sparkle from the trash can caught his eye . Drawn by instinct , he stepped closer and spotted the shattered pieces of a bracelet resting there . That's when it hit him . It was my bracelet , the one that had gone missing earlier that day . On that same day , he let Astrid pull him away … without so much as a backward glance at me . Damien carefully picked up the broken pieces , tears welling in his eyes . Audrey leaned against the doorframe , her voice cold and sharp as she spoke . " What's the use in regretting now ? She's already gone . " Fighting back tears , he sniffled . " It's not over … Once I fix this bracelet and find her , she'll forgive me … " She once said that her hometown was right next to mine . Tomorrow , I'll ask Ms. McCarthy for time off to look for her there . " " Don't bother , " Audrey calmly said , the truth cutting through the tension . " She was never from the countryside . " Damien stood frozen for a moment before slowly turning to face her . " That's not true . She told me herself . " " She only said that to protect your pride , " Audrey replied . " The truth is , Nora is a high - society heiress , born and raised in the heart of Pemberly . " Damien's face drained of color . His thoughts snapped back to the first time he met me . Even then , the simplest T - shirt I wore was worth thousands of dollars . But he was too poor to understand it at that time . Now , everything finally clicked . There was no way I'd ever come from the same humble beginnings he did . Audrey didn't bother arguing with him . After grabbing what she needed , she turned to leave . But Damien wasn't willing to lose his only lead to me . He rushed after her , calling out , " Audrey , please . Tell me where Nora's real home is . " I know you're close to her . You have to know . Please , I'm begging you - just tell me ! " His hands shook as he pleaded , his desperation echoing in every word . Audrey's patience finally broke . " Stop dreaming ! Nora has finally built a life away from this nightmare . There's no way I'm giving you her real address . " Damien was left speechless . Audrey was right . He'd crossed too many lines . Perhaps Audrey had lost all respect for him long ago . I was the only one who kept holding on quietly until I finally let go and disappeared . After landing a sharp slap across his face , Audrey turned on her heel and walked away . Damien clutched his cheek , his head hanging low . " I'll go to Pemberly to find her , ' " he whispered . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!