All the humiliation she’d bottled up over the past few days crashed over <b>her </b>in a tidal wave.
Even the strongest defenses can crumble in an instant.
Emotion overwhelmed reason, and before she could stop herself, Noreen was already on her way to confront Seth.
By the time her mind caught up with her body, she was standing outside Seth’s apartment building.
A bitter wind whipped through the street.
She’d left in such a hurry she hadn’t even grabbed a coat.
The cold bit into her skin, creeping down her neck and making her shiver.
But now that she was here, Noreen decided there was no turning back–she needed to talk to Seth, honestly, face to face.
She reached for her phone, but just then, Seth’s car pulled up outside.
The headlights red, forcing her to squint. By the time her eyes adjusted, the car was parked neatly in his private space.
Noreen was just about to call out when she saw Bianca step out of the passenger seat, her face bright withughter.
The words stuck in Noreen’s throat.
Seth got out next. He popped the trunk and pulled out a small, pink suitcase.
It was unmistakably a woman’s.
The two of them chatted and joked as they walked inside together.
The front door closed behind them, and Noreen felt something inside her break away, just a little more.
She stood there for a long, long time, unable to move.
So soon… they’re already living together?
Of course. After all, they’d loved each other for years. Now that they could finally be together, why wait?
Only people who don’t care keep dragging things out.
<b>22:07 </b>
There’s no <b>such </b>thing as <b>love </b><b>that </b><b>just </b>takes <b>time</b>.
In the end, it’s just indifference, isn’t it?
The realization hit her all at once, leaving her heart cold and hollow.
She stood beneath the trees, watching the lights flicker on inside the apartment.
A sharp ache pulsed in her chest, breaking through the numbness she’d worn <b>like </b>
armor.
She didn’t shy away from it. She let herself feel it.
Once, she’d pinned half her soul to Seth. Now, as she pulled herself away, it felt <b>like </b>ripping out that half and leaving it behind.
All she could do was try to stitch herself back together, even if the pieces were still bleeding.
She forced herself to ept it: sometimes, someone can just stop loving you, the only way out is to tear yourself free, no matter how much it hurts.
That night, Noreen stood for ages in the freezing wind.
<b>and </b>
She watched as the lights inside the apartment glowed, then faded into darkness.
The long, agonizing hours passed, and in that time, all the questions that had haunted her finally found their answers.
When she couldn’t secure a spot for the surgery, Noreen decided to transfer Rosalind to the best oncology hospital in Royalston.
But before she could finish the paperwork, Dn called.
He told her he’d managed to bring in one of the country’s top specialists to perform Rosalind’s surgery right there at the hospital.
Larson also advised keeping Rosalind where she was. Her condition was fragile, and moving her could take a toll–both physically and emotionally–which would only make recovery harder.
The best option was to wait for the specialist to arrive.
Noreen agreed. For the first time in days, she felt the weight on her chest begin to lift.
She told Dn she didn’t know how to thank him. She owed him so much now.
<b>22:07 </b>13
Chapter
<b>After </b><b>all</b>, <b>Dn </b><b>had </b><b>rushed </b><b>to </b><b>Royalston </b><b>overnight </b><b>to </b><b>find </b><b>the </b><b>specialist </b><b>for </b><b>Rosalind</b>.
It was a debt Noreen knew she had to repay,
“Just put it on my tab. I’ll let you know when I think of something, <b>Dn </b><b>replied</b><b>. </b><b>He </b>was still waiting for his flight at the airport.
“What time will you get in?” Noreen asked. After all he’d done, she felt she <b>at </b><b>least </b>owed him a meal.
“Why? You nning to meet me at the airport?”
“Do you need me to?”