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    de


    To be precise, Seth had always kept an escape route open for himself a way back to test se the woman had never quite let go


    ire had once hit the nail on the head. If he has mained you after seven years, is because t never intended to <fn987f> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on fin?novel</fn987f>


    Seven years with nothing to show for it. Maybe fate was doing her a favor


    After polishing off her pudding, the little girl was called away by her mom. The warmth inserts expression faded, reced by her usual cool reserve. Her tone was calm as she finally enonered Healy’s earlier question.


    “How many kids do you want?”


    Absentmindedly, Noreen’s hand drifted to her t stomach, her feelings tangled andpleted t Wynne had told her her chances of getting pregnant were slim-so stim, she might never get to be # mother at all.


    “I don’t n on having any”


    It just wasn’t in the cards for her


    Healy hadn’t expected to wait so long only to hear that.


    He’d nned to match her answer, whatever it was. If she wanted two, he’d say two. Even if it was just to keep in sync, he wouldn’t have minded,


    But after hearing her answer, he simply went with the flow, “Looks like we’re on the same page. I don’t


    want any either”


    Noreen couldn’t help butugh, her earlier disappointment easing, “Well, I’m not sure that’s really up to you”


    Chase Haylor only had two kids-a son and a daughter. As the only heir, Healy had a family legacy to carry on, it wasn’t exactly up to him whether or not he’d have kids.


    Healy grinned, “What, are they going to force me? It’s my life. I figure I still get a say


    What he really wanted to say he wouldn’t agree to an arranged marriage. He’d only marry someone he truly loved. He wondered if Horeen caught his drift.


    After dinner, Horeen got ready to head back to her hotel. Healy chimed in, “No way-what are the odds? We’re staying at the same ce”


    Noreen didn’t think much of it. “That is a coincidence.”


    Since they were at the same hotel, it made sense to share the ride back.


    What Noreen didn’t realize was that as soon as she told the driver her destination, Healy was already messaging his assistant, ordering him to book a room for Healy in the very same hotel-immediately. No dys, or else his bonus would take a hit.


    The assistant didn’t dare ck off, but with the game developers’ conference in town, every hotel


    20:26


    nearby was packed, including Noreen’s.


    As time dragged on without a confirmation, Healy grew impatient. But he was quick on his feet, and in the car, he brought up a work issue-a bug in the driverless car test that needed Carman’s input. Would Noreen be avable for a quick conference call?


    And just like that, Noreen found herself roped in-work always had a way of catching up with her.


    As soon as they reached the hotel, Noreen took Healy up to her room for the meeting.


    Barely had they entered when Seth and Bianca stepped off the elevator onto the same floor. Bianca spotted them first, her surprise obvious. “Wow, things are moving fast,” she blurted. “They’re already staying together?”


    She was so shocked, she didn’t notice the sudden chill in the man beside her.


    Inside the room, Noreen and Healy spent the next hour on the call with Carman. In fact, Healy’s assistant had texted him half an hour ago that the room was ready, but Healy had deliberately stretched things out, just to have more time with Noreen.


    Finally, when the meeting ended, Healy reluctantly stood to leave. “It’ste. You should get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow, and we’ll head back to Rivercrest City together.”


    “Okay.”


    Healy stepped out of Noreen’s room, heading for his own, when suddenly he was caught off guard by the soft, perfumed embrace of someone throwing themselves into his arms.


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