Noreen’s heart skipped a beat when she saw the familiar name pop up on her phone.


    But once she actually read the message, she let out a silent, self–mockingugh.


    Seth hadn’t tagged her personally at all.


    He’d mentioned everyone in the Aurelion Group’s team chat–no one special.


    The announcement said that, to celebrate Director Bianca from Division Threending her first major project since joining Aurelion Group, the entirepany was invited to a two–day team–building retreat at Azure Springs Resort next Friday


    after work.


    The chat was flooded with excited replies—everyone cheering, everyone thanking Seth and Bianca.


    Noreen knew the world wasn’t fair. Sucking up to the powerful and slighting the weak was just the way things worked.


    Still, seeing it unfold before her eyes stung.


    It’s as if everyone had forgotten that the AeroEdge project had only been signed after she’d spent more than six months running around, negotiating, and pushing it through.


    Now, all the credit belonged to Bianca.


    And Seth had forgotten, too.


    Without hesitation, Noreen left thepany group chat. She just wanted a little <i>peace </i>and quiet.


    “Noreen, why aren’t you asleep yet?”


    The faint glow <i>of </i>her phone must have disturbed her mother’s already restless sleep. Rosalind’s voice was/gentle, but tired.


    “Just about to, Mom. You should try to get some rest, too.” Noreen quickly put away her phone, lying quietly on the low cot beside her mother’s hospital bed.


    The cot was barely half the height of the hospital bed–perfect for keeping close and making it easier to care for Rosalind.


    All Rosalind had to do was reach out, and her handnded softly on Noreen’s head.


    She stroked Noreen’s hair, just as she used to when Noreen was a child–gentle,forting, full of love.


    In the darkness, Noreen pressed her lips together to keep from sobbing, but tears still crept silently from the corners of her eyes.


    She was grateful the lights were off and her mother couldn’t see.


    Rosalind’s voice was barely more than a whisper, frail and thin. “Noreen, could you ask Mr. Harcourt toe by the hospital sometime?”


    Noreen swallowed hard, fighting back the lump rising in her throat. “He… he’s really busy.”


    “I know he is, but it’s about your future. I want to talk to him face to face, if only once.”


    Noreen pressed her hand over her mouth, terrified she’d start crying and give herself away.


    Thankfully, Rosalind didn’t notice. She just kept talking, her voice growing softer, “I’m just worried something might happen during the surgery, and I won’t get the chance to ask him to take care of you.”


    Noreen reached up, taking her mother’s hand in both of hers.


    Her mother’s hand was so cold.


    She squeezed it tightly, hoping to pass a little warmth across the gap.


    Her voice trembled, “He’s been traveling non–stop for work. I haven’t seen him in weeks. You know how busy he is since Aurelion Group’s subsidiary went public–he hasn’t even had time to throw a celebration dinner.”


    Rosalind just sighed.


    “I suppose you’re right. Still, remind him to take care of himself. No job is worth ruining your health when you’re still young.”


    “…I will, Mom. Try to get some sleep now.”


    “All right. You too.<i>” </i>


    The cot was hard and narrow. With so much weighing on her mind, Noreen barely slept at all.


    By dawn, she was already up, helping Rosalind through a whirlwind of check–ups and tests.


    <b>213 </b>


    16.20


    Chapter <b>43 </b>


    Later, Larson came by with news–the team of specialists would arrive on Monday, though no one knew exactly when.


    Noreen made a mental note to wait outside the hospital on Monday morning, just in


    case.


    She barely rested all weekend, only sneaking nces at her phone during fleeting


    breaks.


    Her social feed was flooded with pictures and posts from her coworkers‘ team–building trip.


    Who could me them? Azure Springs Resort was the most exclusive retreat in the city–of course everyone wanted to show off.


    Thepany had organized plenty of team events before, but when Noreen had handled them, she always picked somewhere practical, somewhere budget–friendly.


    Avish ce like Azure Springs Resort had never even been an option.


    But this time, Seth had pulled out all the stops for Bianca–booking the most expensive resort in Rivercrest City, never mind thepany’s finances.


    Spending a fortune to impress a beautiful woman.


    It made Noreen look stingy byparison.