When he saw Noreen, he instinctively tried to sit up.


    "Stay down," Noreen said.


    From the fever, Seth''s voice was hoarse.


    He asked Noreen, "What did you want to see me about?"


    "A few years ago, I was kidnapped in Harborview City. Was it you who saved me?" Noreen didn''t beat around the bush; she asked him directly.


    Seth pressed his lips together before nodding. "Yes."


    "Then why didn''t you say so before?"


    She had tried to probe him more than once after that.


    Her question was met with Seth''s silence.


    Noreen could see he didn''t want to answer, so she decided not to press the issue.


    The answer no longer mattered.


    She just needed confirmation.


    "I owe you for that. If you ever need anything in the future, just ask. I won''t refuse," Noreen stated her position clearly. "Also, this check is for you. It''s to repay you for the help you gave me and Winrich before."


    She was referring to the office rent and Jennifer Shaw''s hundred-million investment.


    "I know it''s a bit crass to talk about money, but right now, money is all I can give you."


    The subtext was obvious.


    A deste look filled Seth''s eyes, and a faint, bleak smile touched his lips.


    "Are you trying to draw a line between us?"


    He looked into her eyes.


    They were so beautiful, yet so cold.


    A stark contrast to his own drowning emotions.


    "I just don''t want you to disturb my peaceful life," Noreen said frankly.


    The moment she said it, a sharp pain tore through Seth''s heart.


    "It was my fault," Seth''s voice dropped, utterly humbled.


    He reached out, trying to take Noreen''s hand.


    But she pulled away, looking at him with a detached gaze.


    Whether it was because of the fever or something else, his eyes were red. "I was wrong back then. I shouldn''t have left you. Noreen, please give me a chance to make it up to you okay?


    Noreen looked at him, meeting his gaze.


    Her eyes were still as water.


    "Seth, not everything can be fixed."


    "Then let''s start over!"


    This time he grabbed her hand, his tone urgent.


    As if he knew instinctively that if he missed this chance, he would never get another.


    "That''s impossible." Noreen had to use some force to push his hand away.


    the past. Rtionships


    are a gets to


    start way street. No one


    not unless you Content belong.


    back time."


    "But you can''t, can you?"


    Noreen stood up, her voice as t as


    if she were reading an unimportana


    line of narration "Let yourself go?


    After saying this, Noreen left without a backward nce.


    Her departure was swift and decisive.


    For a long time after she left, the hospital room was silent.


    Seth remained in the same position.


    His gaze fell on his own palm, where her warmth seemed to linger.


    It was only in this moment that he truly understood how painful rejection could be.


    It felt like a sharp de had been plunged into him and twisted in his flesh.


    Overnight, his heart felt like it had turned to ash.


    He couldn''t think of any way to break the deadlock.


    Her kindness had nevere with an agenda, so her indifference now offered no


    room for negotiation.


    "Seth... are you okay?"


    "I won''t die." Seth clenched his fist, as if holding onto something precious.


    He asked Jude, "Do you have any alcohol?"


    Jude''s eyes widened. "Are you crazy? You''re going to drink now? Do you have a death wish?"


    "I''ll die if I don''t!"