Noreen caught the look on his face and shed her work badge with a grin. “I’m working for myself


    now.”


    Scott nced at thepany name and her new title, surprise flickering across his features before settling into something that made perfect sense. He’d worked with Noreen before and always sensed she was sharp, capable–wasted, really, as just someone’s assistant.


    Even working for someone like Seth, it still felt like she was meant for bigger things.


    “Congrattions,” Scott said sincerely.


    “Thanks.” Noreen’s gaze drifted down to the cardboard box in his arms. After a pause, she asked, “Did you… leave TechVenture?”


    “Yeah.” Scott’s smile was wry. “My partner and I just didn’t see eye to eye anymore. Our differences got too big to ignore, so… we split.”


    Noreen genuinely felt for him.


    Scott was talented–a real creative mind. That spark was exactly why she’d picked their project in the first ce.


    <i>“</i>Sorry you had to go through that.”


    He shrugged. “So, what’s next?” she asked.


    Scott just shook his head. “Honestly? I have no idea. I’m kind of lost right now.”


    He and Ethan had been college roommates, friends since their university days. Scott had wanted to make games, and with Ethan’s family money, they’d decided to start a business together.


    There’d always been disagreements, but since Ethan was the one investing, Scott tried to let things slide for the sake of thepany. If they hadn’t reached a breaking point, they wouldn’t have ended things like this.


    Noreen thought for a moment, then said gently, “Take a break. Give yourself some time to reset.”


    “Yeah,” he agreed. He really did need to get his head straight.


    Noreen pulled a business card from her purse and tucked it into his box. “If you ever want to talk or have an idea, call me.”


    Scott’s eyes softened. “I will.”


    The next morning, Noreen’s phone chimed with a hospital appointment reminder.


    It took her a moment to remember–Seth had said yesterday that he’d go with her to the hospital today.


    He actually remembered?


    Noreen looked up the doctor online. Sure enough, he was a top specialist–one of those doctors


    <b>19:36 </b>


    everyone tried to see, with a waiting list a mile long.


    No way she was about to let that go to waste. She decided <i>to </i>make the most of it and get checked out. After all, health came first.


    Her cycles had gotten more and more irregr, the cramps worse every month. Her body had been sounding the rm for a while now; she couldn’t keep ignoring it.


    After breakfast, she drove herself to the hospital.


    She hadn’t heard a word from Seth all morning. Probably just said he’de to please her mom. Did he really mean it? Doubtful. Getting her an appointment with a top specialist was probably the most she could expect from him.


    Anything more? She’d learned not to hold her breath.


    At the hospital, Noreen found Dr. Wynne. The moment he heard her name, his demeanor lit up–he greeted her warmly and personally led her to the exam room. He was clearly making an effort, likely thanks to Seth’s influence.


    Dr. Wynne asked about her symptoms, and when Noreen mentioned she’d had a previous abortion, his expression turned serious.


    After several exams, he sat her down with the results.


    “Your endometrial lining is naturally thinner than average, which makes it very difficult for you to conceive. The fact that you managed to get pregnant at all was sheer luck, but unfortunately you weren’t able to carry to term. That’s put a significant strain on your body, which exins all these symptoms.”


    Dr. Wynne adjusted his sses, his tone gentle but somber. “If you want children in the future, it’s going to be very hard. I want you to be prepared for that.”


    Noreen hadn’t realized the miscarriage would have such asting impact on her life.


    <b>Chapter </b>197