LOGINThe gates opened before Alexander reached them. The driveway curved through rows of old trees before the house came into view. He parked near the front entrance. The butler opened the door before Alexander reached it. "Good afternoon, Mr. Ashton." "Good afternoon." The butler stepped aside. "Mr. Beaumont is waiting in the study." "I know the way." The study door stood open. Gregory Beaumont looked up from the chessboard beside the fireplace. Several pieces remained where they had been left. Gregory didn't gesture toward a chair or offer a greeting. His eyes settled on Alexander. "Well? I guess you have good news." Alexander closed the door behind him. "She said yes." Gregory remained still. A smile reached his face a moment later. "Really?" He leaned back in his chair. "So Nora Vance has agreed to date you." Alexander nodded once. Gregory watched him for several seconds. "Does that mean… she doesn't want Charlie Sinclair anymore?" Alexander looked at the chessbo
Nora Dinner ended later than usual. Lena insisted on telling me one last story before Marta led both twins upstairs. Theo paused at the foot of the staircase. "Good night, Mum." "Good night." He held my gaze for a second before following Lena. The house grew quieter after their bedroom doors closed. Bernard carried two cups of coffee into the living room. He handed one to me before taking the armchair opposite. For several minutes, the only sound came from the clock above the fireplace. I wrapped both hands around the mug. The coffee had already begun to cool. Bernard watched me over the rim of his cup. "So you said yes?" I looked up. "I did." He looked at me, his brow raised. "I needed to move forward." The mug rested against my palms. "I don't know if that's enough." Bernard lowered his cup onto the table. He didn't answer immediately. When he spoke, his voice remained quiet. "Just make sure you're moving toward something..." He looked at me. “Not away from someo
The road narrowed long before the house came into view. Trees lined both sides of the driveway, hiding the property from the main road. By the time Celeste brought the car to a stop, the only sound came from the engine settling into silence. Gregory Beaumont stood on the veranda. He waited until she stepped out before opening the front door. "Thank you for coming." "I almost didn't." He inclined his head. "But you did." She followed him inside. The house was quiet. A fireplace burned in the sitting room. Two glasses rested on a low table between a pair of leather chairs. Gregory picked up one of them. "I wasn't sure what you preferred." "I'm not staying long." He set the glass back where it had been. "Then we'll get straight to it." Celeste remained standing. Gregory looked at her for a moment. "I read the news." She said nothing. "The engagement between you and Charlie is over." His eyes stayed on her. "The wedding's cancelled." He slipped one hand into his poc
Nora Alexander chose a quiet restaurant overlooking the river. The lunchtime crowd had already begun to thin by the time the waiter brought our meals. He poured water into my glass before leaning back in his chair. "So," he said, resting one hand beside his plate, "tell me about Chicago." I smiled. "It was busy." "I expected that." I told him about the summit, the panels, the investors and the meetings that filled every hour. He listened without interrupting, asking a question now and then before letting me continue. When I reached for my glass again, he glanced at his watch before looking back at me. "There was something I wanted to ask before life becomes busy again." My fingers remained around the glass. "I remember." He smiled. "I told you I'd wait." "You did." "I've waited." His eyes stayed on mine. "I'd like to know your answer." The restaurant faded into the background. My thumb traced the rim of the glass. Chicago crossed my mind… the rooftop…the kiss… Cha
Nora The wind carried the last warmth of the evening across the rooftop. Charlie's eyes were still on me. He didn't speak again. I looked across the skyline before drawing a slow breath. "It's too late, Charlie." He lowered his head. "I know." I turned toward him. "You threw all of it away." He remained where he was. "Our friendship." His fingers tightened around the railing. "Our marriage." He closed his eyes briefly. "Our future." When he looked back at me, he still didn't interrupt. "You don't get to decide one day that you want it back." "I know." His voice barely rose above the wind. I stepped away from the railing. "I can't pretend those three years of marriage never happened." I turned toward the rooftop door. Behind me, I heard him draw a breath. "I'm not giving up." He said. My hand rested on the door handle, but I didn't look back. "I'm not asking you to forget." His voice carried across the rooftop. "I'm going to earn another chance." My fingers t
Nora Morning arrived long before I felt ready for it. I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling. Sleep had come in short stretches. Every time I closed my eyes, the kiss returned. Charlie's hand at my waist, how the space between us disappeared. How he had kissed me and how I had responded to his kiss. I rolled onto my side and reached for the glass of water beside the bed. My fingers remained around it for several seconds before I took a sip. My phone began to ring. Alexander. A small smile reached my lips before I answered. "Good morning." I picked it up immediately. "I hope I didn't wake you." "You didn't." "How's Chicago treating you?" I crossed to the window and pulled the curtains apart. "The conference has been worthwhile." "I knew it would be." He laughed softly. "I've been looking at the news updates. Beaumont Group seems to be everywhere." "We've been busy." "I'm not surprised." He asked about the remaining sessions, the investors I had met, and whethe
THIRD POVCharlie was awake at five-forty in the morning. He sat on the edge of the bed and watched Nora sleep. The storm that had rattled the windows all night had finally passed. The power was back on, casting a soft, artificial glow over the room. The sheet was pulled around her shoulders, and
NORAThe doctor stepped out of the room and left me in silence. I sat on the edge of the exam table. My shoes were still damp from the walk in the rain, and the weight of the wedding ring on my finger felt like it was pulling my whole arm down.Without even thinking, I moved my hand to my stomach.
NORAI stood in the corridor of Mercy General, and I was soaked to the bone. My hair was plastered to my face, and every time I moved, my shoes made a heavy sound on the floor. The nurse who called me was waiting at the ICU doors. She looked at my wet clothes, then at my face, but she didn't say an
NORA"Sign it, Nora."Charlie was standing by the window. He didn't turn around. He had been standing like that for over an hour, looking at the Sinclair estate like I wasn't even in the room with him.The lawyer stood in the doorway and cleared his throat. He did not meet my eyes."Mrs. Sinclair,







