Wade had just finished speaking when Evelyn stepped out from inside the house, cradling an ornate jewelry box in her hands.


    Her face glowed with a warm, delighted smile.


    Noreen’s eyes lingered on the box, her heart twisting with a bittersweet ache.


    Evelyn gently set the jewelry box down on the table in front of Noreen.


    Wade said, “This was passed down from Seth’s mother. She always intended it as a gift for his future wife. I think it’s time you have it.”


    Evelyn chimed in from the side, genuinely happy for Noreen. “Well, what are you waiting for? Go on, open it!”


    Noreen reached out, her fingers brushing over the polished rosewood box, but her throat felt too tight to speak.


    If this had happened before, she would have been overjoyed.


    Because this meant she had Wade’s approval.


    But at this moment, there was no joy. Only regret.


    After taking a deep breath, she pushed the box gently back toward Wade.


    Summoning theposure she’d honed in years of business negotiations, she spoke as calmly as she could. “I’m sorry. I’m afraid I can’t ept your kind gesture, Mr. Harcourt.”


    Evelyn’s face clouded with concern. “What’s happened? Did you two have a fight?”


    Then, in her soft, motherly way, she tried to reassure her, “Oh, couples argue all the time. It’s nothing to worry about, really.”


    Noreen shook her head. “It’s not that.”


    “We’ve broken up.”


    Wade’s brow furrowed as he studied Noreen, silent, as if he was trying to determine whether she was telling the truth.


    But Noreen’s eyes were clear and unwavering.


    This wasn’t a joke.


    That realization made Wade’s expression even more severe, his features growing


    10.03


    colder by the second.


    Noreen had no intention of staying long. As she handed a box of pastries <i>to </i>Evelyn, she said, “I’ll send you the baker’s WhatsAppter. If Mr. Harcourt wants more, you can just message him directly to ce an order–no need to wait in line. I’ve already let him know you’ll be in touch.”


    Her words brought tears to Evelyn’s eyes. “Noreen, what on earth happened between you and Seth?”


    Noreen didn’t want to get into it.


    She had onlye to collect her things.


    And, she supposed, to say goodbye.


    After all, both Wade and Evelyn had always treated her kindly.


    “The pastries are delicious, but Mr. Harcourt should watch his blood sugar. I’ve also scheduled your check–up for next month; Dr. Wilder’s office will contact you directly.”


    “If I have time in the future, I’lle visit.”


    Noreen always thought of everything, whether at work or in life.


    She kept her words simple, took her things from Evelyn, and left.


    “How did ite to this?” Evelyn murmured sadly. “Everything seemed so good…”


    Once Noreen was in the car, she checked the driving time. If she went straight from the Harcourts‘ to the office, she’d make it just in time for lunch.


    She decided to eat back at work, and her medication was there as well.


    Just a few days ago, when she’d gone to the hospital to check on the injury to her forearm, she’d run into Dr. Harrison–the same doctor she’d once stood up.


    He’d wasted no time pulling her into his office for a checkup.


    The results hadn’t been great.


    ording to Dr. Harrison, her body was still weak after the miscarriage, and her stomach was in bad shape too.


    She’d need a long period of careful recovery. The first rule: eat regr meals and take her medicine on time.


    212


    12:02


    She had to follow medical advice to the letter, and Dr. Harrison had even made her


    promise.


    For the past couple of days, she’d done well–and today would be no different.


    But halfway through her drive, her phone rang.


    Seth was calling.


    He asked her to bring his things directly to him.


    Noreen asked where he was.


    Seth told her he was out for dinner.


    And in the background, she could hear Bianca’s voice.