"Lionel, I feel terribly nauseous. Could you stay by my side for a moment?"

Vivienne Powell's sultry voice could capture anyone's attention, and her enchanting figure only added to her allure. At that moment, Lionel Ross—Norah's fiancé—was right there beside her, resting a soothing hand against the small of her back.

The two were nestled close, Vivienne's seductive curves brushing against Lionel's arm. He didn't pull away. Instead, his hand stayed on her, easy and familiar. To anyone watching, they looked like a couple completely in love.

Norah Fisher stood just outside the room, taking in the scene through the cracked door. Her eyes were cold, her face unreadable. The engagement party she was supposed to be having with Lionel was already falling apart.

Norah and Lionel had been childhood sweethearts. They'd loved each other since they were ten, and after fifteen years, today was finally supposed to be their day. Lionel had always promised she was the only one he'd ever marry—that he would never betray her in this lifetime.

So when had everything changed? Maybe the moment Vivienne came back six months ago.

Norah drew a deep breath, forced her emotions down, opened the door, and walked in. The second the pair saw her, they sprang apart like they'd been caught doing something wrong.

"Norah." Lionel stood, guilt flickering beneath his calm.

Before Norah could get a word out, Vivienne cut in softly, "Norah, I'm so sorry. I wasn't feeling well, so Lionel stayed to keep me company for a little while. Please don't be upset."

Norah didn't even look at her. Her gaze locked on Lionel. "The engagement party's about to start. Are you coming?"

"Yes, of course. Today is the most important day for us," Lionel said, stepping toward her and taking her hand.

Norah pulled her hand away immediately, repulsed because his hand had just been on Vivienne's body.

Lionel paused, taken aback by her coldness. He frowned, clearly displeased.

"Let's go," she said, unfazed. She turned to leave.

But just as they started walking, Vivienne's soft whimper stopped them. Lionel turned back to find her clutching her stomach, face twisted in pain.

"Vivienne." He rushed to help her up. "Are you okay?"

Vivienne clung to his hand, wincing. "Lionel, I'll be fine. I can't keep you from your engagement party. Go. I'll be okay once I rest a little."

Lionel looked between Vivienne and Norah, torn.

"Maybe we should cancel the engagement party," Norah said coolly. She didn't need him to say it. His hesitation told her everything—he wouldn't be coming with her now.

The cold calm in Norah's voice rattled Lionel. He opened his mouth to respond, but Vivienne let out another sharp moan.

"Norah, Vivienne needs to get to the hospital right now. You go ahead to the engagement party. I'll catch up as soon as I can," Lionel said quickly, already lifting Vivienne into his arms.

Norah stared after his retreating figure, a sharp ache squeezing her chest.

Lionel had never walked away from her like this before.

But ever since Vivienne came back, everything had changed. Norah wasn't his first choice anymore. Whenever it came down to her or Vivienne, Lionel chose Vivienne. Every single time.

Vivienne glanced back, shot Norah a triumphant smile, and mouthed the words, "I won!"

Norah clenched her fists, nails biting into her palms, but she couldn't feel a thing.

At the engagement party venue, the missing bride and groom had everyone buzzing.

As whispers rippled through the room, Norah walked in, calm and composed. Every eye turned to her—curious, questioning.

"Norah, where's Lionel? Why are you alone?" Hattie Ross asked, her tone more accusation than question.

Norah knew her future mother-in-law had never approved of her. The Fisher and Ross families had both once been prominent, but the Ross family's rapid rise over the years had left the Fishers far behind. The Fishers had stagnated.

Hattie had always believed Norah wasn't good enough for Lionel—not fit to be a Ross.

Norah raised her voice on purpose. "Lionel took Vivienne to the hospital. The engagement party is canceled."

A shockwave rippled through the crowd.

"What's going on with Mr. Ross and his sister-in-law?"

"Do you think Mr. Ross is leaving Norah for his brother's widow?"

"I've heard rumors about Mr. Ross and Vivienne being a little too close. Guess they were true. Why else would he be the one taking her to the hospital?"

Norah let out a soft, bitter laugh.

If everyone else could see what was going on, surely Lionel knew too. She just didn't matter to him the way she used to.

Hattie was furious when she heard people tearing her son apart. "Norah, what kind of nonsense are you spreading? Lionel took Vivienne to the hospital, but that doesn't mean he isn't coming back. Cancel the engagement party? Are you seriously willing to give up on marrying Lionel?"

Exactly.

Norah smirked.

From the moment Lionel saved her fifteen years ago, she'd sworn she would marry no one else. Even knowing his family and friends couldn't stand her, she had humiliated herself more times than she could count to win them over.

She'd made herself a laughingstock and never complained—as long as Lionel still loved her.

But Lionel had crushed her heart, too.

"I, Norah Fisher, vow that I will have nothing more to do with Lionel Ross. Consider this engagement dead and buried. If I ever look back, may I lose everything I have left."

"You—you—" Hattie sputtered, furious.

A vow was one thing. That was unforgivable. Hattie decided then and there that Norah would never be welcome in the Ross family again.

Ignoring Hattie, Norah walked out of the venue with her head high, leaving a room full of stunned faces behind.

Hattie yelled after her, "Have you looked in the mirror? Someone like you was never good enough for my son—you'll never be a Ross!"

Norah's mind flashed through every scornful word Hattie had thrown at her over the years, each memory sharper than the last.

Her hands clenched at her sides, nails digging into her palms.

After a long second, she turned around, grabbed a glass of wine from the table, and strode straight over to Hattie—then threw it right in her face.

Norah Fisher poured the wine over Hattie Ross's head, her expression hard with cold, steely determination.

"Maybe this will help wash that filthy mouth of yours out," she said, her voice steady as stone.

Before, whenever Hattie belittled her, Norah had always bitten her tongue for Lionel's sake. Lionel knew exactly what kind of woman his mother was, yet he always told Norah to just let it go. But now that she was cutting Lionel loose, she saw no reason to swallow Hattie's insults anymore.

Hattie let out a shocked shriek—more stunned than furious. Norah Fisher had actually dared to pour wine on her.

Standing at the gates of her childhood home, Norah hesitated. She and Lionel had been childhood sweethearts, but her parents had never approved of their relationship. Marrying Lionel would've been a strategic alliance for the Fisher family, but her father had always been dead set against it for reasons he never explained.

She had moved out to live with Lionel, defying her parents' wishes. Now, after everything that had happened, returning home only filled her with shame. Surely, they would be upset with her.

"Norah?" Her mother's voice broke through her thoughts as Karina Fisher stepped out and called to her softly.

"Mom," Norah whispered, unable to meet her mother's eyes.

Karina took Norah's hand in both of hers, her touch warm with empathy. "It's alright. You're home now."

The engagement party disaster had been public enough that her parents were surely aware of it.

"Come inside. Let's talk," Karina said, guiding Norah into the house.

The second they stepped into the living room, the tension hit Norah like a wall. Her father, Meir Fisher, stood with his arms crossed, his face flushed with anger. "So you're finally back? I told you Lionel Ross was trouble, but you just had to marry him anyway. Now the whole family's a laughingstock."

"I'm sorry, Dad," Norah murmured, guilt pressing down on her chest.

Seeing how dejected Norah looked, Karina gently stepped in. "That's enough, Meir. Norah is already upset. There's no need to pile on."

Meir's expression softened slightly. How could he not be angry when his cherished daughter had been treated so poorly?

"What do you plan to do now, Norah?" He needed to know where her head was at before deciding their next move.

Norah lifted her chin, her eyes blazing with resolve. "From this day forward, I have nothing to do with Lionel Ross. We're done."

She had realized—perhaps too late—that from the moment Vivienne Powell had returned, the writing was on the wall. Despite all her efforts, it was clear their love was never going to be enough.

Karina pulled her daughter into a hug, understanding all too well how deeply Norah had loved Lionel and how painful it must be to say those words out loud.

Meir nodded approvingly. "That's my girl. You're a Fisher, after all. Stay home and don't worry about a thing. Your mother and I will take care of you."

A wave of relief washed over Norah, steadied by her family's unconditional support.

Just then, the butler entered the room. "Sir, Mr. Jamie Olson is here to see you."

Meir's face lit up with a genuine smile. "Show him in!"

"Jamie Olson?" Norah echoed, confused.

Karina chuckled at her daughter's confusion. "Don't you remember? He stayed with us for a while when he was younger."

Norah's memory stirred. "You mean the little crybaby?"

Karina nodded, amused. "Yes, but you definitely can't call him that now. He's all grown up and running his family's business. I hear he's planning to build his career right here in Boston."

As they spoke, the butler led Jamie Olson into the room. Norah's curiosity piqued as her gaze landed on a tall, striking man bathed in sunlight streaming through the windows. It was hard to believe this was the same boy she remembered.

"Mr. and Mrs. Fisher," Jamie greeted them warmly, his manners polished and his handsome face flawless.

Meir nodded with satisfaction. "It's been years, Jamie. You've grown so much."

Jamie's gaze drifted to Norah. "You must be Norah."

Norah's heart skipped a beat at the sound of her name on his lips, stirring echoes of a time when Lionel had used that same affectionate tone.

Meir noticed Norah had gone quiet and jumped in. "Yes, this is Norah. She's had an exhausting day, so excuse her distraction. Jamie, please, have a seat."

Jamie nodded, taking a seat beside Meir, though his eyes never left Norah.

"Are you planning to set up your business here?" Meir asked with interest.

Jamie nodded. "That's the plan."

While the two men talked, Norah's mind wandered, sifting through her years with Lionel and the heartbreak that had followed. The pain was still raw, like a blade slicing through memories she had once cherished.

"Sir, Mr. Ross is here. He's asking for Miss Norah."

The mention of Lionel's name snapped Norah back to reality. Meir's face darkened immediately. "Tell him Norah doesn't want to see him."

"Wait." Norah stopped the butler.

Meir and Karina exchanged surprised looks. After everything that had happened, for Norah to insist on seeing him was baffling.

Before Meir could protest, Norah reassured him. "Dad, some things have to be settled in person. I'll be back soon."

With that, she left the room, Jamie's eyes following her as she exited.

Outside, Lionel stood beside his car, a huge bouquet of roses in hand. As Norah approached, he straightened his suit and walked toward her.

"These are for you," Lionel said, holding out the flowers.

After going home and replaying the day's events, he'd realized just how much pain he'd caused Norah.

She eyed the vibrant roses, her gaze ice-cold.

"What happened today was my fault, but there were reasons. You shouldn't have stormed off like that. Come back with me, and I'll throw us an even bigger engagement party," Lionel said, his tone commanding, carrying no real trace of an apology.

Norah Fisher let out a soft laugh, one that held more disbelief than humor. "A reason, you say?"

"Yes. Vivienne's pregnant." Lionel said it like the words should explain everything. But they only left Norah momentarily stunned. "She's pregnant? Your brother's been dead for three years. What'd she do—dig him up?"

Her eyes locked on Lionel, her disbelief plain.

"Norah, that's a horrible thing to suggest." Her voice came sharp. But Lionel pushed on, the strain thick in his words. "The child is my brother's. Before he passed away, he left behind stored embryos. Vivienne missed him so much she decided to have his child. That's how she got pregnant."

Lionel's strained explanation only deepened Norah's skepticism. It felt like a flimsy cover-up—one only someone desperate to hope might cling to.

"Alright, let's go back and talk about this." Lionel's patience was visibly thinning. Ever since Vivienne came back, he'd had none left for Norah.

He carried that arrogant confidence, the kind that made him believe no matter what he did, Norah would always forgive him because she loved him.

"Lionel, do you seriously think bringing me flowers and sweet-talking me is going to make me forget everything and run back to you?" Norah's voice was calm, but there was steel underneath.

Lionel frowned, clearly irritated. "Norah, I came here to apologize in person. How long are you going to keep this up? You get more stubborn by the day. Maybe I've spoiled you too much."

"Stubborn?" Norah scoffed. "What does being reasonable look like to you? Silently taking your mother's insults? Smiling politely while Vivienne crashes my engagement party?"

"Norah," Lionel growled, his voice rising.

"Are you coming back with me or not? If you don't leave with me today, we're done. For good." The threat in his tone was obvious—he was still convinced Norah would never actually walk away.

Norah faced his ultimatum with quiet resolve. "Lionel, I already made it clear at the engagement party: we're done."

A flicker of unease crossed Lionel's face, but it vanished as quickly as it came, replaced by his certainty that Norah had always stuck by him. He dismissed her words as another tantrum.

"Norah, I'm offering you a chance to come back. This is your last one."

He was sure she would relent and follow him home.

"Norah."

The voice cut in before she could answer. Jamie Olson walked up and stopped beside her. "Your parents were worried. They asked me to come check on you."

"Thank you," Norah said with a nod.

Lionel's gaze shifted to Jamie, his eyes narrowing with hostility. Jamie's presence unsettled Lionel more than he wanted to admit.

"Norah, who is he?" Lionel demanded.

"Mr. Ross, we've already broken up. Who he is is none of your business." Norah's tone was cold, detached.

She was determined to move forward. She had no intention of looking back.

"Are you sure you want to break up with me?" Lionel's eyes blazed with fury as he reached out to grab Norah, but Jamie stepped in front of her, blocking his path.

"Mr. Ross, it's ungentlemanly to put your hands on a woman."

"This is between Norah and me. Step aside," Lionel snapped. Their eyes locked in a heated standoff, neither one giving an inch.

Norah cut in, her gaze fixed on Lionel. "I've been very clear. We're over. Please don't bother me again."

"Over?" Lionel sneered, gesturing toward Jamie. "Because of him?"

Norah wanted to laugh, but the absurdity of his accusation killed any trace of humor.

Her years with Lionel. Her real, honest feelings—reduced to something laughable under his suspicion.

Without trust, what love could survive?

"Fine, Norah. Don't come crying back to me." Lionel scoffed and hurled the bouquet to the ground before walking away.

Norah's tightly clenched fists finally relaxed.

"Are you okay?" Jamie asked, studying her face.

"I'm fine." Norah forced a small smile. "Sorry you had to see that."

"There's nothing to be sorry about. That was a classic case of moving on."

"Moving on?" Norah echoed, caught off guard. She met his eyes for a beat before looking away.

Jamie nodded encouragingly. "Letting go of something that wasn't right for you is a smart move."

He was right. Lionel didn't love her anymore.

And letting go of someone who no longer loved her was the best decision she could make.

"Thank you." Norah smiled, the weight on her chest finally easing.

At the Ross household, Lionel stormed through the door.

Seeing him alone, Vivienne felt a rush of satisfaction but made herself look concerned. "Lionel, where's Norah? She didn't come back with you? Is she still angry and refusing to come home?"

Lionel's silence said everything as he dropped onto the sofa and yanked his tie loose in frustration.

"Lionel, Norah's temper seems to be getting worse," Marshall Ross remarked from where he lounged, scrolling on his phone.

"You've let her call the shots for too long. Give someone an inch, and they think they run the whole show."

Lionel was starting to think Marshall had a point. Maybe he had spoiled Norah, given her too much slack. She'd never acted like this before—she'd always been agreeable.

But the thought of her with another man only burned hotter in his chest.

"Marshall, don't speak about Norah that way." Vivienne chided him gently, then turned to Lionel with a look of practiced concern. "Norah must still be upset with me. I'll apologize and ask her to come back."

She started to get up, but Lionel stopped her. "Vivienne, this isn't your fault."

"If Norah wants to throw a tantrum, let her."

Marshall chimed in, "Exactly. If she wants to act out, let her. She's not really going to leave you. It's just a game of playing hard to get."

Hearing that, Lionel's mood lifted. Norah loved him. How could she fall for someone else so quickly? That guy was probably just a prop she'd brought along to get under his skin.

Vivienne exchanged a glance with Marshall, who set down his phone and walked over to Lionel.

"Look, I know how to get Norah back to you within three days," Marshall said, his voice conspiratorial.

Lionel turned to him, interest sparking in his eyes.

"But you'll need to give me a little room to maneuver." Marshall added with a sly grin, his eyes gleaming with mischief.