Noreen was a true workaholic, talking business throughout the entire meal. Afterwards, Dn personally walked them to their car. Even as the car pulled away, he remained standing on the curb, his gaze fixed on the disappearing vehicle,pletely still.


    ire kept her eyes on the rearview mirror until Dn''s figure was no longer visible. "Wow," she sighed. "He''s really devoted."


    "What?" Noreen asked, feigning ignorance.


    ire scoffed. "Don''t tell me you can''t see that Dn is into you."


    With ire, Noreen never had any secrets. She admitted that she had sensed it.


    "So what are you going to do about it?" ire asked, genuinely curious.


    "Nothing."


    ire was getting anxious on her behalf. "Have youpletely suppressed every desire except making money? Not all men are like Seth. You can''t just swear off all of them because one hurt you."


    "It''s not that extreme," Noreen replied. "I just haven''t met anyone who makes me feel... anything extra."


    She wasn''t some kind of prude, and she certainly had no intention of ''saving herself'' for anyone. But after a seven-year rtionship, she was just tired and needed a break. For now, she wanted to be like a nt—just drinking water, eating, and soaking up the sun. No human emotions, just absorbing light. She had no desire to bloom or bear fruit, no fear of withering leaves. She just wanted to focus on her roots so she could grow stronger.


    Besides, after that failed rtionship, she had discovered a fundamental truth: you are the only one who will truly be with yourself through thick and thin, for better or worse.


    Your own umbre is better than anyone else''s roof.


    Noreen was genuinely disillusioned with men. "You know what men are like."


    ire couldn''t argue with that. She hadn''t met any good ones either. Her world was popted entirely by jerks. She had started out trying to persuade Noreen, but now she was the one being convinced.


    "You''re right. Men are so pragmatic. As kids, they need their mothers, so they love their mothers. When they grow up, they need their fathers, so they love their fathers. After getting married, they need their wives, so they love their wives. When they get old, they need their children, so they love their children. And if his wife dies first and a caregiver looks after him in his old age, he''ll fall in love with the caregiver."


    "When you put it like that," ire concluded, "it really doesn''t seem worth it. Better to be single and do whatever you want, with whoever you want content


    Noreenughed. "You and my mom would get along great."


    "Oh yeah? What does your mom say?"


    "She says the most beautiful thing about love is when he, he, and he all love you, but you only love yourself."


    ire was deeply impressed. "Your mom is a visionary!"


    Just as they were nearing her apartment, ire''s phone buzzed. She unlocked it


    to see a new message, and her good mood instantly soured.


    Men. Such a buzzkill.


    The message was from someone saved in her contacts as "Jerk Quigley." It said he was arriving in Rivercrest City tomorrow and wanted to meet.


    Her immediate instinct was to reply that she was busy, but Jerk Quigley had apparently anticipated that. A second message popped up.


    "My grandma ising too."<fne2fd> Fresh chapters posted on F?nd-Novel</fne2fd>


    ire sighed. A true corporate shark, he knew exactly how to get to her.


    When Dn got home, he found Jude sprawled on the living room couch, engrossed in a video game. Hearing the door, Jude nced up, from his screen What took you so long? I''ve been waiting forever."


    "What''s up?"


    Jude tossed his phone aside, ignoring the inevitable ming from his teammates. He needed an


    answer. "That phone call at noon... was what Bianca said true?