Noreen forced a smile. “It’s nothing. The delivery’s done, so I’ll head back to the office.”


    All she wanted was to find somewhere to grab a quick bite and shake off her bad mood.


    Seth seemed too preupied with winning over his future mother–inw <i>to </i>bother with her.


    Noreen ducked into a random restaurant nearby for lunch.


    The food helped settle her uneasy stomach, and only then did she make her way back to Aurelion Group.


    She had just reached the parking lot when her phone rang–a call from the hospital. After hearing the situation, Noreen’s expression changed. “I’m right nearby. I’ll be there right away!”


    She sped to the hospital, parked in a hurry, and dashed inside. In her rush, she


    collided with someone at the entrance.


    It was a middle–aged man, sharply dressed in a suit with perfectlybed hair.


    He looked rather frosty, his brow furrowed–likely annoyed at being run into.


    Noreen, pressed for time, just managed a quick apology before rushing off. She made sure he wasn’t hurt before leaving, but she didn’t notice the man’s gaze lingering on her retreating figure.


    He stood there, lost in thought, until Bianca appeared and called out to him, snapping him back to the present.


    “Dad, what are you looking at? You were so out of it–I called you three times!”


    Bianca slipped her arm through his, pouting yfully.


    Forrest Lowell’s expression instantly softened as he looked at his daughter. “Nothing, sweetheart. What are you doing down here on your own?”


    “Mom sent me. She must be missing you,” Bianca replied with a grin.


    He sighed, guilt flickering in his eyes. “Sorry I’ve been away so much for work. She’s had to cope alone.”


    12:03


    Bianca squeezed his arm reassuringly. “Mom understands, Dad. She doesn’t me you for anything. Come on, she can hardly wait to see you.”


    Just then, his assistant entered carrying a bouquet of fresh flowers.


    Bianca’s eyes lit up. “Mom’s going to love these. You always think of the sweetest things, Dad.”


    When Noreen reached the oncology department, Rosalind Gilmore had already finished some of her tests, though the results weren’t in yet.


    Seeing Noreen burst in, breathless and flustered, Rosalind gave her a gentle, reassuring smile. “Noreen, you’re here? I told Dr. Quigley not to bother you–it’s just a routine checkup, but she insisted on calling. I hope this didn’t mess up your work schedule?”


    Noreen felt a sting at the tip of her nose.


    Even now, her mother was worried about being a burden on her.


    “It didn’t, Mom. But why didn’t you tell me you weren’t feeling well?”


    “It’s just the same old problem–nothing serious. I know my own body.” Rosalind reached out, brushing Noreen’s cheek, her eyes full of concern at how much weight her daughter had lost.


    “Why are you so thin again? Are you overworking yourself?”


    “No, I’m just on a diet,” Noreen said, forcing a light tone despite the lump in her


    throat.


    Rosalind frowned, torn between irritation and affection. “You’re not even overweight–why diet?”


    Noreen scrambled for an excuse. “So I can fit into a pretty dress, of course.”


    She just wanted to ease her mother’s worries.


    Rosalind paused, and then her eyes sparkled with hope. “Has Mr. Harcourt proposed <i>to </i>you?”


    In that moment, Noreen felt her carefully constructed defenses nearly shatter.


    But Rosalind was still beaming, her voice full of joy. “I can’t believe this day has finallye. You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this.”


    “There were times I worried I wouldn’t make it to see this day. But here we are.”


    12:03)


    “It’s wonderful. Now I don’t have to worry about you being alone.”


    Noreen felt herposure slipping. Afraid her mother would see the tears gathering in her eyes, she turned away under the pretense of asking the nurse a question.


    ???