Chapter 36
Three years had passed, and Norton had grown quite thick–skinned.
After I had said those insulting things to him, he acted as if nothing had happened.
Sometimes he would stand nearby, watching me from a distance.
Other times, he would block my path, offering me breakfast or a bouquet of flowers.
But every time, I threw those things back in his face.
That day, by chance, Claire came back with me and happened to see Norton holding rosès downstairs.
Claire had a fiery temper and immediately went up to him, giving him a fierce scolding.
By the time I realized something was wrong with Norton, it was already too late.
There was a menacing look in his eyes as he stared at Claire without blinking–a sign of his impending madness.
Amid Claire’s angry outburst, he suddenly shoved the flowers into Claire’s mouth with brutal force, the stems stabbing into her lips.
“Norton, have you lost your mind? Let go, now!”
He remained unmoved.
In desperation, I picked up a stone and threw it at his hand without hesitation.
Only then did Norton stop, the pain bringing him back to his senses.
His hand was scratched and bleeding, but he ignored it, staring at me with a heavy gaze.
I helped Claire up, frowning at the cut on her lip.
Taking a deep breath, I met Norton’s eyes.
“Norton, tell me, what is the purpose of your existence, you scum?”
I averted my gaze, unwilling to look at him any longer, and helped Claire away.
“Doreen…” Norton’s voice was hoarse, and there was no hint of emotion, as if he was just calling my name out of habit.
“Get lost.” I didn’t look back.
After taking Claire to see the doctor, I still sent her back to her own home.
“Doreen…” She spoke indistinctly, tugging at my sleeve with a pitiful expression.
I sighed and said gently, “You stay home and rest for now. I’ll come to get you after a while.”
Her eyes lit up with a smile. “Don’t lie to me!”
“I’m not lying.”
I thought Norton would not show up for a long time after that.
But the next day, he was still standing downstairs at my building, his expression giving nothing away.
“Sorry, Doreen. I shouldn’t have acted out yesterday. I bought some medicine; see if it will help.”
I did not take the bag he offered, just stared at him for a couple of seconds.
So this is what Norton had become after falling from grace?
His outward appearance was normal, but beneath it all was a rotting, decaying core.
“Norton, do you feel like you owe me something? Is that why you want to make it up to me?” I asked.
Without hesitation, he nodded and added, “And I still love you.”
I gave a smile. “That’s right, Norton. You must remember this–this is what you owe me.”
He nodded seriously.