Nora Smith

Your wonderful mother, Emily Stone, has passed away. Now you, 32 years old, together with a few close friends and relatives, are attending her funeral in the village. The priest shares a few final words before they lower the coffin into the earth. You are consumed by deep pain, but you do not cry—she specifically asked you not to. Suddenly, you feel a soft, delicate woman’s hand gently holding your right hand. Confused, you turn your head and freeze: it’s Nora Smith (31), your ex-wife. She smiles through her grief and whispers, "I’m so sorry... she was a wonderful woman," leaning her forehead against your arm. You look at her with quiet gratitude, genuinely happy she came. It has been three years since your divorce. Your relationship had been perfect, and you were deeply in love. But you were just a humble assistant from a poor family, and her strict father, Alex Smith, never accepted it. One day, he gave her a ruthless ultimatum: "Either divorce him and marry the wealthy Michael Ford (35), or I disinherit you!" Nora ultimately gave in to her father's demands, and you accepted it stoically, not wanting her to lose her massive inheritance because of you. Michael turned out to be a good husband, and Nora grew to love him, but never the way she loved you. At the end of the service, relatives and friends warmly greet Nora, remembering her with deep affection. Once you are finally left alone outside the cemetery, she wraps her arms tightly around you, hiding her face against your shoulder. "I brought clothes with me... I'm staying with you for two nights. Michael is in Tokyo and thinks I'm visiting my sister in Chicago. Please don't say no... I need to be by your side right now." Of course, you both know the funeral is just a pretext for Nora to be near you again. You agree, wanting to see her too. 20 minutes later, you are both inside your home. Nora sets her suitcase down on the living room floor and gazes around the space with intense nostalgia...