<b>Chapter </b>74
“Men know men,” Jude scoffed, the disdain in his voice unmistakable. “Even after you break up, there’s always that possessiveness over an ex. Trust me, Dn’s only using Noreen to get a rise out of you. That’s all
there is to it.”
He sneered, not bothering to hide his contempt. “And honestly, after you’ve dated someone better, who’d settle for second–rate leftovers? Dn has better taste than that. You shouldn’t waste another thought on people who don’t matter.”
Bianca felt a wave of relief wash over her as she listened. Jude’s words
soothed something raw inside her.
Still, she couldn’t help ncing at Seth, searching for any flicker of
reaction.
Seth had seen Dn step in for Noreen, taking her drink for her, but now, he seemedpletely at ease, chatting about work with a few others as if nothing had happened.
Clearly, Noreen didn’t even register on his radar.
Bianca’s unease finally melted away. She picked up her wine and slipped her arm around Seth’s, joining the conversation with a bright smile, letting Noreen and Dn fade to the background.
By the time the party was in full swing, Noreen hadn’t touched another drop of alcohol. Instead, Dn kept piling her te with food, making sure she ate enough to settle her stomach and, with it, her nerves.
She was in the middle of thanking Dn when Seth approached, Bianca glued to his side as always. The two were inseparable, moving through the crowd as a single unit.
Bianca’s attention turned warmly to Dn. “Dn, you’ve had quite a bit to drink tonight, haven’t you? Are you alright?”
Dn waved it off. “I’m fine. Really, I haven’t had that much.”
<b>1/2 </b>
14:28
Noreen noticed, somewhat surprised, that Seth was holding a ss of wine rather than his usual sparkling water. She was still puzzling over it when Seth raised his ss to Dn.
“It’s been a busy night–I haven’t had a chance to toast you properly. Dn, thanks foring,” Seth said, clinking their sses.
Dn looked at him, slightly confused. “Wait, Seth, I thought you couldn’t drink?”
Before Seth could answer, Bianca beamed and squeezed his arm, her face aglow with happiness. “This is my first time attending an event as Aurelion Group’s investment director. There’s a lot ofworking, and even more drinking. Seth actually took allergy meds ahead of time, just so he could take the drinks for me tonight.”
Sheughed softly. “He’s handled every toast on my behalf. I haven’t had a single sip.”
Her smile was radiant, pure contentment born of Seth’s unwavering
devotion.
But for Noreen, the moment felt like a plunge into icy water–a bottomless ache opening up inside her.
She’d always known how much Seth favored Bianca, but hearing it out loud, in Bianca’s own words, shattered herposure.
She’d fought so hard for him, for Aurelion Group, battling through endless rounds of drinks at business dinners until her own body gave out. She’d even lost a child because of it.
All of it–her sacrifices, her pain–had been utterly one–sided.
Seth never saw any of it. He didn’t care, not about her efforts, her health, or her suffering.
He only cared about Bianca.
He’d do anything for her–pave her way, introduce her to the right people, even pop allergy meds so he could shield her from drinking.
14.29
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wine rather than nis usual sparkling water. She was still puzzling over <b>it </b>when Seth raised his ss to Dn.
“It’s been a busy night–I haven’t had a chance to toast you properly. Dn, thanks foring,” Seth said, clinking their sses.
Dn looked at him, slightly confused. “Wait, Seth, I thought you couldn’t drink?”
Before Seth could answer, Bianca beamed and squeezed his arm, her face aglow with happiness. “This is my first time attending an event as Aurelion Group’s investment director. There’s a lot ofworking, and even more drinking. Seth actually took allergy meds ahead of time, just so he could take the drinks for me tonight.”
Sheughed softly. “He’s handled every toast on my behalf. I haven’t had a single sip.”
Her smile was radiant, pure contentment born of Seth’s unwavering
devotion.
But for Noreen, the moment felt like a plunge into icy water–a bottomless ache opening up inside her.
She’d always known how much Seth favored Bianca, but hearing it out loud, in Bianca’s own words, shattered herposure.
She’d fought so hard for him, for Aurelion Group, battling through endless rounds of drinks at business dinners until her own body gave out. She’d even lost a child because of it.
All of it–her sacrifices, her pain–had been utterly one–sided.
Seth never saw any of it. He didn’t care, not about her efforts, her health, or her suffering.
He only cared about Bianca.
=
Catalog
A
Setting
Night
Comment
O
Noreen noticed, somewhat surprised, that Seth was holding a ss of wine rather than his usual sparkling water. She was still puzzling over it when Seth raised his ss to Dn.
“It’s been a busy night–I haven’t had a chance to toast you properly. Dn, thanks foring,” Seth said, clinking their sses.
Dn looked at him, slightly confused. “Wait, Seth, I thought you couldn’t drink?”
Before Seth could answer, Bianca beamed and squeezed his arm, her face aglow with happiness. “This is my first time attending an event as Aurelion Group’s investment director. There’s a lot ofworking, and even more drinking. Seth actually took allergy meds ahead of time, just so he could take the drinks for me tonight.”
Sheughed softly. “He’s handled every toast on my behalf. I haven’t had a single sip.”
Her smile was radiant, pure contentment born of Seth’s unwavering
devotion.
But for Noreen, the moment felt like a plunge into icy water–a bottomless ache opening up inside her.
She’d always known how much Seth favored Bianca, but hearing it out loud, in Bianca’s own words, shattered herposure.
She’d fought so hard for him, for Aurelion Group, battling through endless rounds of drinks at business dinners until her own body gave out. She’d even lost a child because of it.
All of it–her sacrifices, her pain–had been utterly one–sided.
Seth never saw any of it. He didn’t care, not about her efforts, her health, or her suffering.
He only cared about Bianca.
He’d do anything for her–pave her way, introduce her to the right people, even pop allergy meds so he could shield her from drinking.
14.28
Chapter <b>74 </b>
Noreen felt her heart squeeze, as if something sharp and cold was driving needles into every inch. The memories of sacrifice and heartbreak wed at her, tearing open wounds she’d tried to bury.
She was terrified she’d break down in front of everyone. Grasping for an excuse, she escaped as quickly as she could.
She knew she looked pathetic.
But in that moment, running away was the only way she knew how to protect herself.
Loving Seth had cost her everything–and in the end, she’d lostpletely.