MasukCeleste sat alone in the apartment with her phone resting across her lap.Every headline looked the same.More photographs from the Chicago business summit.Charlie standing beside Nora during the summit.Charlie looking at Nora across a conference room.Charlie watching her walk away at the airport.Every article carried the same question.Had Charlie Sinclair reunited with his former wife?Her thumb moved across another photograph.Nora smiled at someone outside the frame.Charlie wasn't looking at the cameras. His eyes were on Nora.Her phone rang.Celeste looked at the screen before answering."Good evening, Miss Vance."Her assistant's voice carried through the speaker."Victoria's office called again. They would like to know whether you'd be willing to do the interview."Celeste didn't answer immediately."Miss Vance?""Are they still interested?""Very. They want an exclusive."Celeste closed the article on her screen.Vogue reached millions of readers.Millions of people would
CHARLIE I left the office later than usual.Most of the lights on the executive floor had already gone dark by the time I stepped into the restaurant across the street.Marcus was waiting near the window.He looked up as I approached."I was beginning to think you'd changed your mind."I pulled out the chair opposite him."I almost did."Marcus closed the menu and set it aside."That serious?"A waiter poured water before leaving us alone.For a while, we just looked at each other.I rested both hands on the table."I'm getting Nora back."Marcus looked at me, then a smile reached his face."About time." Marcus closed the menu and smiled. I nodded."I need your help."Marcus didn't answer immediately. He leaned back in his chair instead."Are you trying to get her back because you love her..." His eyes remained on me. "Or because you're afraid of losing her again?"I lowered my eyes to the untouched glass in front of me. My thumb rested against the rim.Marcus continued to look at me
The 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
CHARLIEMonday should have been productive. I had already attended three meetings, reviewed two acquisition reports, and answered enough emails to satisfy everyone who expected immediate responses from a Sinclair, but by afternoon I could barely remember half the conversations I had participated i
NORA I was already dressed in workout clothes when my phone vibrated against the nightstand on Sunday morning. The message waiting at the top of the screen came from Grandfather Beaumont. *Nora. Family dinner by evening for your aunt's birthday. Bring the children. Don't be late.* I rolled o
NORAMy father turned his head, then he saw me.The man beside him stopped speaking first.My father did not move, and neither did I.The ballroom continued around us without slowing. Waiters crossed between tables carrying champagne trays. Someone laughed near the staircase. Music drifted faintly
NORA The question was still unanswered. A hundred cameras were pointed at my face. Edward stood at the side of the stage, looking as though he wanted to cut the microphone himself. I did not give him the chance. I had two choices. I could be the girl who ran from the Sinclair house with nothin







