CHAPTER ONE

NORA POV

I know something is wrong the moment I see his face.

The file in my hand almost slips from my fingers as I stare at the framed photograph hanging behind the HR officer’s desk.

Davis Rowan.

CEO of Rowan & Co.

My new boss.

And the man I spent one reckless night with three years ago.

For a second, I can’t breathe.

No.

This has to be some kind of mistake.

“Ms. Edward?”

The HR officer’s voice pulls me back, but my eyes remain fixed on the photograph.

I know that face.

The sharp jaw. The calm eyes. The unreadable expression. 

God.

Mai.

The thought hits me hard. I tighten my grip on the file. 

No.

This can’t be happening.

“Are you okay?” the HR officer asks again, sounding more concerned this time.

I force myself to look away from the photograph and meet his eyes.

“Yes. I’m fine.”

The lie comes out too easily.

Nothing about this is fine.

The room suddenly feels too small and too warm. I press the file against my chest as the HR officer continues speaking.

“You’ll need final approval from the CEO before your resumption process is completed.”

The CEO.

Davis Rowan.

I swallow hard.

Three years ago, I walked away believing I’d never see him again. 

Now I’m about to stand in front of him.

“Ms. Edward?”

I blink and realize he’s waiting for me.

“Sorry?”

“The secretary outside will direct you to the CEO’s office.”

Then I nod.

“Okay. Thank you.”

He studies me for another second, as though he can tell something is wrong, but thankfully, he doesn’t ask any more questions.

I turn and walk out of the office before he changes his mind.

The hallway stretches ahead of me, bright and quiet.

I keep walking, but every step feels heavier than the last. 

I should leave. 

Right now. 

Before one look is enough to pull that night back into his memory.

Mai’s school fees flash through my mind.

Then my mother’s latest hospital bill.

I keep walking. 

I need this job.

The salary. The stability. The chance to give my family the life they deserve. 

No matter how frightened I am, walking away isn’t an option.

The secretary looks up as I reach her desk.

“Ms. Edward?”

“Yes.”

“Mr. Rowan is expecting you.”

Of course he is.

I force a smile that doesn’t quite reach my eyes.

She gestures toward the large double doors at the end of the hallway.

“Last office by the corner.”

“Thank you.”

I continue down the hallway, my grip tightening around the file. 

The closer I get, the louder my heartbeat becomes.

I’m not nervous because I’m about to meet the CEO.

I’m about to stand in front of the father of my daughter. 

My palms grow damp by the time I reach the door.

I stop for a second, trying to slow my breathing.

I lift my hand anyway and knock.

“Come in.”

His voice reaches me through the door.

Calm.

Steady.

Painfully familiar.

I close my eyes for the briefest moment before wrapping my fingers around the handle.

There’s no turning back now.

I push the door open and step inside.

He’s there.

Davis Rowan.

He looks exactly the same. 

In a heartbeat, I’m back to the night I’ve spent every day trying to leave behind.

Now I’m standing in front of the man who has no idea he has a daughter.

His gaze stays on the file in front of him for another moment before he finally looks up.

His eyes meet mine.

Calm.

Unreadable.

A chill runs through me.

Please…

Don’t recognize me.

He says nothing.

The silence stretches between us. 

Maybe, to him, I was just another stranger whose face disappeared with the morning.

Then something changes.

His expression doesn’t give much away, but I catch the slightest flicker in his eyes, as though he’s trying to place a face he shouldn’t know.

No…

Please don’t.

He studies me for another second before speaking.

“Ms. Edward?”

“Yes.”

His fingers pause on the file in front of him. 

Then he looks straight into my eyes.

“Why do I feel like I’ve seen you before?”