LOGINNo line for the carousel, but the red-maned horse Nora had wanted most was already taken. After a beat, she settled for the one beside it, inlaid with sapphire detailing.Photographing a carousel mostly meant static shots; motion blur risked capturing genuinely unflattering mid-spin expressions, so the staff cycled the ride in short bursts rather than running it continuously.Nora settled onto the blue horse and flashed a peace sign. A total novice at posing back in her last life, she'd always been the one behind the camera, never the subject, never once with Richard.Watching her obvious cluelessness, Vivian stepped in."Nora, lift your hand like this. Softer wrist. Yes, like that."As a genuine posing expert, Vivian could switch between styles effortlessly, cute solo poses practically muscle memory. Richard used to criticize Nora's stiff posture constantly back then, holding Vivian up as effortlessly charming by comparison.Nora had no ego about trying, following Vivian's movements
"Welcome, welcome! Need the rules walked through?"The attendant greeted them warmly as they entered, pulling out a prize list.Everyone already knew the basic mechanics of a shooting gallery; only the redemption thresholds varied. Nora didn't particularly care about the fine print, so she hung back while Vivian handled negotiations.She was, she realized, becoming increasingly comfortable letting other people manage the logistics.Alex and Nathaniel each picked up a toy rifle."Talked to the owner, we can start with three rounds. Here's the counter, twenty shots total. I'll handle redemption after, just flag anything you like."Once Vivian finished, both men raised their guns.Alex and Nathaniel's stances both read textbook-perfect relaxed but striking, genuinely photo-worthy. Even Nora, hopeless with a camera normally, found herself pulling her phone out to frame Nathaniel."No need to look at me."Normal photo etiquette called for a smile toward the lens, but Nathaniel's actual pos
Even though the fun outing was scheduled for the next day, given Nathaniel and Nora's resources, buying out the whole venue would've been trivial.Not wanting to make a spectacle of it, though, Nora scrapped that idea.At the entrance, she wore blue-and-white casual clothes, radiating an easy, confident energy. Beside her, Nathaniel carried a small black bag, the two of them reading unmistakably as a couple deeply in love."Grab drinks at the front while we wait?"Nora had already shared the itinerary with Alex beforehand. She'd assumed he'd skip it entirely, but surprisingly, he'd wanted in. He hadn't arrived yet."I want fruit soda. Let's go."A drink stand sat right at the entrance, stocked heavily with kid-friendly fruit juices and sodas perfect spot to wait around.Ever since trying Daisy's homemade version, Nora had developed zero resistance to that particular fizzy, refreshing combination.Without a full venue buyout, the crowds ran thick. After a decent line wait, Vivian and N
Nathaniel and Nora took their walk in a small park nearby, only a few minutes on foot.Everyone in the neighborhood was wealthy and more or less knew everyone else, so nothing about it was surprising. It was just that the area was thinly populated, and with so many people off at Richard's birthday party, the park felt almost deserted.A quiet setting stirs up memories easily.The scenery was lovely, with lush trees and birds singing, but Nora still felt a knot in her chest.She took a deep breath. "Richard confessed to me in this park, back then."Her gaze drifted to a nearby Cupid statue. Water still poured steadily from a jar in its hands into the basin below, cycling round and round."There was a statue then too, and a big open lawn. He filled it with himself and a heart made of red candles, holding my favorite red roses, with fireworks he'd had specially designed going off behind him.""When I arrived, everyone crowded around me screaming, then fired off confetti cannons. Except t
After Lawson's birthday barbecue, Nora rested at home for two days.Even fully decided on skipping Richard's birthday celebration, she still felt genuinely off. She leaned against the balcony railing, poking at Bear, nothing else to occupy her hands.Nathaniel handed her a glass of fruit soda."Daisy's newest experiment 'Peach Spirit' fizz. Want a taste?"Nora had a soft spot for bold flavors; she never turned down Sichuan food, and soda ranked similarly. Daisy had turned out surprisingly inventive with these little creations."Are you skipping the party?""You're not going. Why would I?"Technically, as his aunt and given the family hadn't formally split, Nora attending Richard's birthday would've been expected, and Nathaniel too.But given her particular history with Richard, her absence made obvious sense.Nathaniel, meanwhile, had always answered only to his own preferences. Attending Richard's party before had been a courtesy. Now, with his own wife openly at war with Richard, se
"Ha"Nobody could pin down who started it, but the laughter came fast and total.Riley clutched her stomach first. "Ha ha, I cannot handle this. All that scheming and you STILL lost?""Genuinely impressive. Who was it that just said suit didn't matter?""Ha ha, is this what 'too clever for your own good' actually looks like?"If Nora had simply lost on her own, fine, just bad luck. But the whole rule-change conspiracy with Sophie, all that setup, and still losing? Peak comedy.Sophie's laughter came out a little strained. "Boss, I really did try my best""Ha ha, she really did! Nora's the one who fell short!""I genuinely braced for us to lose this the whole time, but ha ha, can't breathe.""When I picked up my card I was already deciding between Truth and Dare!"Derek and Marcus, having been the actual opponents, laughed hardest of anyone.Nora shook her head, resigned, and said to Nathaniel behind her, "I tried too.""It's fine."Something in his tone carried a smile she didn't espe







