There was something strangely familiar about the taste.


    Where had she tried it before?


    Noreen frowned, unsettled, and took another sip.


    She wasn’t a professional foodie–her pte wasn’t refined enough to pinpoint vors or analyze them like a critic. After the second taste, that odd sense of familiarity faded away.


    Maybe all ginseng soups tasted more or less the same.


    She set down her bowl and said, “It’s all right.”


    Only then did Seth turn and head back into the kitchen.


    Evelyn tried a spoonful herself. “It’s a bit sweet. Seth, did you add sugar?”


    “He knows his father is supposed to watch his sugar intake. Why would he add sugar?”


    Noreen chimed in, reminding Wade, “Better take it easy on the soup, Mr. Harcourt.”


    The table was piled high with dishes. ording to Evelyn, Seth had made four of them himself.


    Funny thing was, all four happened to be Noreen’s favorites.


    If she didn’t know how hopelessly devoted Seth was to Bianca, she might have read too much into it.


    To Noreen’s surprise, Seth was actually a decent cook–though everything leaned a little too sweet for


    her taste.


    Luckily, Evelyn had prepared a few dishes as well, so Wade wasn’t left with nothing he could eat.


    They’d barely made it halfway through the meal when Seth’s phone started to ring.


    Noreen was sitting right next to him and caught a glimpse of the name on the screen.


    It was Bianca.


    Seth stood up and stepped out to take the call. He was gone for quite a while.


    Noreen kept her head down, focusing on her food, not giving it much thought.


    Evelyn, however, couldn’t help muttering, “Honestly, what kind of call takes that long? Doesn’t he care about his dinner? Food gets cold so quickly in this weather!”


    A call from Bianca–of course it was important.


    Seth really did take his time. By the time he came back, the rest of them were almost done eating.


    “Why didn’t you grab a coat before stepping outside? What if you catch a cold?” Evelyn fussed.


    “I’m fine.”


    Noreen agreed. She doubted anything could bother Seth at the moment.


    After all, when you’re in love, even water tastes sweet.


    <b>13:00 </b>


    Noreen had no intention of lingering. She was just working out how to politely say goodbye to Wade when Seth grabbed his jacket and announced, “I have to head out for something. Happy birthday,


    Dad.”


    “Leaving already?” Evelyn sounded genuinely disappointed.


    Wade’s expression didn’t change. Whether Seth stayed or left hardly seemed to matter to him.


    Seth offered a brief exnation–something urgent needed his attention–then headed out the door.


    Noreen purposely waited another ten minutes before getting up to leave, thinking that would be enough to avoid running into Seth again.


    No such luck. <fnf380> Newest update provided by fin?novel</fnf380>


    She still bumped into him.


    Only, he wasn’t alone this time.


    Bianca had arrived.


    No wonder Seth had left in such a hurry–he was meeting Bianca.


    When it came to Bianca, everything was urgent in Seth’s world.


    Noreen only nced their way for a second before quickly looking away. She got in her car and drove off without another word.


    “Why is she allowed to go, but I can’t?”


    Bianca’s pent–up frustration finally boiled over as she watched Noreen leave.


    She knew she shouldn’t be making a scene, but when emotions take over, who can help themselves?


    For the past two days, she’d been waiting for Seth to bring it up.


    Yvonne had heard about Wade’s birthday from some of her friends and asked Bianca what her ns


    were.


    Bianca told her Seth hadn’t mentioned anything about it.


    Yvonne scolded her a little, hinting that she should be more proactive instead of always waiting for the man to make the first move.


    Opportunities don’t just fall into yourp–you have to fight for them.


    But Bianca had always been proud.


    And in her rtionship with Seth, he was always the one making the effort, so she’de to assume her ce in his heart was secure.


    She was sure he’d ask her toe along, so she didn’t bring it up herself.


    Still, she’d already picked out a gift, just waiting for Seth to invite her so they could attend Wade’s birthday together.


    But today came and went, and Seth never asked.