Chapter Six – The Woman From Five Years Ago

The next morning, Nora arrived at Sterling Enterprises earlier than usual.

She had spent most of the night working on the renovation proposal and had barely slept. The project was becoming more demanding than she had expected, but she didn't mind.

For the first time in a long while, she felt like she was building something for herself.

Her own career.Her own future.She didn't want anything connected to Adrian Sterling to change that.

She stepped out of the elevator and adjusted the strap of her handbag.The reception area was already busy.

Employees moved quickly through the glass corridors, carrying files and coffee cups while phones rang around them.Nora had visited the company's main office only once before.

The mansion was quiet.This place was completely different.It was alive.Powerful.Everywhere she looked, there were signs of the empire Adrian Sterling had built.

She approached the reception desk.“Good morning.” The receptionist smiled. “Good morning, Miss Hayes.” “I have a meeting with the design department.”

“They're expecting you.” Nora nodded and walked toward the elevators. She had barely taken a few steps when someone called her name.

“Nora?”She turned. Daniel Harper stood several feet away. She recognized him immediately. He was Adrian's lawyer and the man who had been present during their first meeting at the mansion.

“Mr. Harper.” “Daniel is fine.” Nora smiled politely. “Daniel, then.” He walked toward her. “You're early.”

“I had some changes to make to the proposal.” “I see.” His eyes moved briefly toward the folder in her hands.

“How's the project going?” “Good.”“And Leo?” Nora hesitated. “He's fine.” Daniel smiled.“He seems to like you.”

Nora laughed softly. “He's a sweet boy.” “He doesn't usually warm up to people that quickly.” Nora didn't know how to respond.

Daniel seemed to notice her discomfort. “Don't worry. That's a compliment.” “Thank you.” He glanced at his watch.

“I have a meeting upstairs. I'll see you around.” “Alright.” Daniel walked away. Nora watched him for a moment before continuing toward the elevator.

She didn't notice the man standing near the other end of the corridor.Adrian had seen the entire exchange.

He had arrived only a few minutes earlier and had been on his way to his office. Now he stood still,watching Nora.

He didn't know why Daniel's brief conversation with her bothered him. Perhaps because he had spent most of the previous night thinking about her.

About the missing year in her records. About the strange phone call. And about the possibility that the two things were connected.

He pushed the thought away. There were more important matters to deal with. He turned and walked toward his office.

“Good morning, sir.” His assistant followed him. “Your nine o'clock meeting has been moved to nine-thirty.”

“Fine.” “And the board has requested an emergency meeting this afternoon.”

Adrian stopped. “Why?” “The acquisition of Halston Properties.” His expression hardened.

“Who requested the meeting?” “Mr. Marcus Sterling.” Of course. Adrian continued walking. “Tell them I'll be there.”

***

By ten-thirty, the boardroom was full. Adrian sat at the head of the long table. Daniel sat several seats away, reviewing documents.

Across from them sat Marcus Sterling. Marcus was Adrian's cousin and one of the senior members of Sterling Enterprises.

He had always been charming. Always polite,always careful. But Adrian had never trusted him completely.

Marcus leaned back in his chair. “The board has concerns about the Halston acquisition.” Adrian looked at him. “What concerns?” “The price.”

“We've already discussed the price.” “Yes.” Marcus smiled. “But circumstances have changed.”

Adrian's jaw tightened. “Which circumstances?” Marcus slid a document across the table. “Halston's shareholders are asking for more.”

Adrian glanced at the document. “Then we negotiate.” “And if they refuse?” “We walk away.” Several people around the table exchanged uneasy looks.

Marcus smiled faintly. “You're willing to abandon a deal worth nearly two hundred million pounds?” “If the numbers no longer make sense, yes.”

Marcus shook his head. “That's exactly what worries me about your leadership.”

The room went silent. Adrian slowly raised his eyes. “Choose your next words carefully.” Marcus didn't flinch.

“Sterling Enterprises isn't your personal playground, Adrian.” Adrian leaned back. “And yet, somehow, I've kept it profitable.”

Marcus's smile disappeared. Before the argument could continue, Daniel spoke.

“The legal department has reviewed the revised terms. Adrian's position is reasonable.”

Marcus looked at him. “Of course you'd say that.” Daniel's expression remained calm.

“Because it's true.” Adrian closed the folder. “Anything else?” Marcus leaned back.

“Not for now.” “Good.” Adrian stood. “Meeting over.” The executives began gathering their papers.

Marcus remained seated for a moment. As Adrian walked past him, Marcus spoke quietly. “You should be careful, Adrian.”

Adrian stopped. “About what?” Marcus looked up at him. “Not everyone who enters your life is there for the right reasons.”

Adrian's eyes narrowed. Marcus smiled. “Just advice.” Adrian walked away without answering. But the words stayed with him.

***

Later that afternoon, Nora returned to the Sterling mansion. She was carrying several design boards when Leo came running toward her.

“Nora!” She barely had time to react before he stopped in front of her.

“You came back.” “I told you I would.” “You did.” He smiled. “I knew you would.”

Nora laughed. “How was school?” “Boring.” “That's not a very good answer.” “It was boring.” She shook her head.

“You should be nicer to your teacher.” “She likes me.” “Then you should behave.” Leo sighed dramatically.

“Adults always say that.” Nora laughed. Before she could respond, Mrs. Collins appeared.

“Miss Hayes, Mr. Sterling is in his study.” Nora nodded. “Thank you.” She turned toward the study.

Leo followed. “You can't come with me.” “Why?” “Because I have to work.” “I can work too.”

“You're five.” “I know how to work.” Nora smiled. “Go finish your homework.” Leo sighed. “Fine.”

He walked away reluctantly. Nora watched him disappear before entering the study. Adrian was standing by the window.

He turned when she entered. “You're here.” “Yes.” “I thought you were working at the office today.”

“I was.” She placed the design boards on the table. “I came back to check the measurements.”

Adrian nodded. “Fine.” Nora began arranging the boards. For a few moments, neither spoke.

Then Adrian asked, “How long have you been working as an interior designer?”

Nora looked up. “A few years.” “Where did you study?” She gave him the name of her university.

Adrian nodded. “And before that?” Nora frowned slightly. “Before that?” “Yes.” She stared at him.

“Why are you asking?” “I'm curious.” “About my career?” “About you.” The words caught her off guard.

Nora quickly looked away. “I don't think my personal history is relevant to the project.”

“Perhaps.” Adrian's voice was calm. “But I like knowing who I work with.” Nora looked at him again.

“You've already seen my portfolio.” “That tells me about your work.” “And what else do you want to know?” Adrian didn't answer immediately.

His eyes remained on her. “Have you ever been married?” Nora's fingers stopped moving.

“No.” “Engaged?” “No.” “Children?” Her heart stopped. For a second, she couldn't breathe.

She looked down at the board in front of her. “No.” The answer came out quietly. Adrian watched her.

There was something in the way she had answered that made him suspicious. But before he could ask anything else, the door opened.

Leo walked in. “Daddy.” Adrian turned. “What is it?” “I can't find my blue pencil.” “You have several pencils.”

“I want the blue one.” Adrian sighed. “Ask Mrs. Collins.” “She doesn't know where it is.” Adrian looked at Nora.

“Can you help him?” Nora nodded. “Of course.” She followed Leo out of the room. Adrian watched them leave.

His expression remained unreadable. But one question kept returning to his mind. Why had Nora looked so shaken when he asked if she had children?

***

That evening, Nora sat on the edge of her bed. Her apartment was quiet. Too quiet. She stared at the cup of tea in her hands.

Adrian's question kept replaying in her mind. Have you ever been married? Children? She had lied.

Not because she wanted to deceive him. But because she didn't know how to explain the truth.

She had a child. A son. Or at least, she had once believed she did. She closed her eyes.

For five years, she had forced herself to accept that her baby was dead. She had learned to live with the pain. Why was the past suddenly refusing to stay buried?

Her phone rang. Mia. Nora answered. “Hello?” “You sound strange.” Nora sighed.

“I'm tired.” “Long day?” “Yes.” “How was the mansion?” “Fine.” “And Adrian?” Nora was quiet.

Mia immediately noticed. “What happened?” “He asked me if I had children.”

Silence. Then Mia spoke softly. “What did you say?” “I said no.”

“Nora…I know.” “You could have told him.” “What was I supposed to say?” Nora's voice cracked slightly.

‘Yes, I had a son, but he died five years ago?’ Mia didn't answer. Nora looked down. “I don't want to talk about it.”

“Okay.” Mia's voice softened. “You don't have to.” Nora closed her eyes.

“Thank you.” They stayed on the phone for several minutes without saying much.

For the first time since returning to Adrian's world, Nora allowed herself to breathe.

She didn't know what the future held. But she knew one thing. She couldn't keep running from her past forever.

***

Across London, Adrian sat alone in his office. The city lights reflected against the windows.

Daniel entered without knocking. Adrian looked up. “Did you find anything?” Daniel placed a file on the desk.

“I found something.” Adrian's expression changed. “What?” Daniel opened the file. “The hospital where Nora was treated five years ago.”

Adrian leaned forward. “What about it?” “There are discrepancies in the records.” Adrian's eyes narrowed. “What kind?”

Daniel looked at him. “The records show Nora Hayes was admitted under her name.”

He paused. “But the discharge information is incomplete.” Adrian stared at the documents.

“Why?” “We don't know yet.” Daniel closed the file. “But someone accessed the records five years ago.”

“Who?” Daniel hesitated. “We're still trying to find out.” Adrian's jaw tightened. “Find them.”

Daniel nodded. “I will.” He turned to leave. Then Adrian's phone vibrated.

A message appeared on the screen. Unknown Number. There was only one sentence.

Stop digging into the past. Adrian stared at it. Then slowly looked toward the file on his desk. For the first time, he realized something.

Whatever had happened five years ago...Someone was afraid he would find out.