Rain fell all night long.


    The steady hum of it worked like a luby, letting Noreen sleep better than she


    had in ages.


    When she finally got up, Evelyn was already in the kitchen, ttering pans and setting out breakfast.


    "Good thing you stayed overst night," Evelyn said, nodding toward her phone. "Have you seen the videos in the building''s group chat? It''s scary—a whole stretch of road just copsed. Somebody''s car actually fell right in. No word yet on whether anyone was hurt."


    She sighed, worry flickering across her face. "I hope Seth didn''t get caught up in any of that."


    Noreen had no answer to that, so she just stayed quiet.


    After breakfast, she said her goodbyes and headed out. Her phone''s GPS immediately warned her about the road closure—a detour was unavoidable, thanks to the sinkhole.


    She got to the officeter than usual. As soon as she walked in, the receptionist called out, "You have a visitor waiting, Ms. Gilmore."


    It was Dn.


    Noreen blinked in surprise.


    Dn offered a sheepish smile. "I''ve been so busy with Omniva Grouptely, I never had the chance to properly see yourpany. If you''re not too busy, would you mind giving me a quick tour?"


    “Sure, but I need about thirty minutes-I''ve got a morning meeting to run."


    "No problem." He seemed perfectly rxed, as if all the time in the world belonged to him today.


    While Noreen disappeared into her meeting, Dn''s phone rang again. It was Jude, calling to see if Dn was free.


    "TechVenture''sunch event is today," Jude said. "You shoulde show Bianca some support."


    Dn didn''t hesitate. "Can''t. Busy."


    "Busy with what? You''re always busy!"


    "Visiting a partnerpany."


    Jude sounded even more confused. "You need to do that yourself? Juste over already!"


    "You''re there, aren''t you? I''ve got things to handle here. Gotta go." Dn hung up before Jude could argue.


    Jude gaped at his phone, annoyed. He considered calling back but knew Dn wouldn''t answer, so he tried Dn''s assistant instead. "Which partnerpany is Dn visiting today?"


    "Winrich," the assistant replied.


    Jude''s expression shifted. No wonder Dn was so cagey—he was going to Winrich.


    But why would Dn rather tour Winrich than show up for Bianca?


    Was Noreen really more important to him than Bianca?


    As Jude puzzled over this, he overheard Bianca on the phone with Seth, asking where he was.


    "My car broke down on the way," Seth exined. "I''ll be a littlete."


    "How does a brand-new car just break down?" Bianca''s voice was tense with worry.


    "Probably because it got floodedst night."


    The rain had been intense. Bianca


    had seen the news that


    over town!


    orningparking lots all conte


    had ended up underwater >


    "Fix it as fast as you can," Bianca told him. "I need you here. I can''t rx without you."


    Seth promised he''d hurry.


    Watching the exchange, Jude had a sudden epiphany.


    Dn was deliberately skipping Bianca''sunch event. The two of them had once been in love; even though their breakup was reakup was amicable and things were friendly now, seeing Bianca so happy with Seth must still sting a little.


    That''s just how guys are, Jude thought. There''s always a weird possessiveness


    when ites to an ex.


    But then again...


    After Seth and Noreen broke up,


    Seth never acted like this-not a


    flicker of emotion, not a trac


    their seven years together He


    treated her like a stranger


    Clearly, he never really loved her.


    If you never let someone into your heart, there''s nothing to grieve when they''re


    gone.<fnaa86> The source of th?s content is find?novel</fnaa86>


    But what about Noreen?


    Why was she so calm, so utterly unbothered?


    Jude mulled it over, then reached a conclusion.


    Noreen was faking it.


    He''d seen what she was like before-everyone had.


    Seth made it to theunch event just in time.