<b>Chapter 203 </b>
Those unforgettable moments you share with someone–they can be a get–out–of–jail–free card in any rtionship.
But when love is gone, not even a lifetime of golden memories can save you.
Noreen managed to hold on for seven years, mainly because there was never a third person involved. That gave her something to cling to, a way to make peace with herself, to use all those bright fragments from the past to convince herself she was okay.
Even when, in that final year, Seth began to grow distant–sometimes cold, sometimes simply absent–she found ways to ept it.
The one thing she could never ept, though, was betrayal.
Because betrayal doesn’t kill the betrayer. It destroys the one who’s been betrayed.
Despite a sleepless night, Noreen still woke promptly at 5:50 a.m. Maybe it was because she’d spent the night with her hands and feet outside the covers–she woke up chilled to the bone.
No wonder she’d had that dream.
Even after everything, even after she thought she’d moved on, she still felt a pang whenever she
remembered.
People aren’t spreadsheets; you can’t just delete what you want and keep what you like. Time is the only thing that can dull the edges.
Later that morning, Dn Wilder showed up at Winrich in person to swap cars with Noreen.
It made her feel a little awkward. “You already did me a favor, and now you’vee all the way here yourself. I was going to have Sophia Cole drop the car off for you this afternoon.”
Dn had figured as much, which was why he’de himself.
They hadn’t had much reason to interact at worktely, and Noreen had been swamped. He hadn’t seen her in a while and, with the chance presenting itself, decided to take it.
Of course, he didn’t say any of that. Instead, he asked about the project.
“It’s moving forward as nned,” Noreen said, “but we’re really short–staffed. Everyone’s working overtime just to keep up.”
“If you need anything, just say the word.”
“Thanks.”
Dn didn’t linger–just stayed a few minutes before heading out, since it was obvious how busy she was. His presence would’ve only gotten in the way.
No sooner had he left Winrich than his brother Jude tagged everyone in their group chat, bragging about just finishing an interview with Bianca for Rivercrest’s top business magazine. She’dnded the cover, and the issue would be out next month. Jude insisted everyone buy a copy to show their
support.
<b>19:06 </b>
Healy Naylor replied with a thumbs–up emoji.
Dn just turned off his screen and said nothing.
No sooner had he gotten into the car than Bianca’s name shed on his phone. He nced at it, silenced the call, and tossed the phone aside, focusing on the road.
Bianca, surprised her call hadn’t gone through, frowned.
“What’s up with Dntely?” Jude muttered. “He hasn’t shown up at a single get–together, won’t answer dinner invites, and he’s been a total ghost in the chat.”
Bianca stared at her phone, distracted.
Even after they broke up, she and Dn had stayed friends. She’d always assumed she still meant something to him.
Buttely, he wasn’t reading her messages, wasn’t picking up her calls. It was starting to get under her skin.
“Maybe he’s busy with someone new?”
????
Bianca’s expression went cold. It took her a moment to answer. “He’s probably just buried in work.”
Jude shook his head. “Come on, even if he’s busy, he’d at least answer a text. I bet something’s up. have to do some digging–wouldn’t want to be blindsided by the sudden appearance of a sister–inw. That’d be wild.”
Bianca, in no mood to argue, put her phone away. “Knock yourself out.”
With InnoCore about tounch, Noreen was busier than ever. Some days she barely had time to eat.
Luckily, Sophia was around.
Every day, right on schedule, Sophia showed up with a meal–always something Noreen liked. Her stomach pains hadn’t red up in ages.
One afternoon, Noreen looked over at Sophia and asked, “When did you get to know my tastes so
well?”
<b>Chapter </b><b>204 </b>