"Let him in," Maximo Olson said as the office door swung open and Lionel Ross and Vivienne Powell stepped inside. Both looked caught off guard to see Norah Fisher already there.

"Norah, what are you doing here?" Vivienne blurted, clearly thrown.

Before Norah could answer, Lionel stepped in front of her, irritation radiating off him. "What business do you have here?" he demanded.

"Oh, so you can be here, but I can't?" Norah shot back, ice in her voice.

Lionel's irritation spiked. "This isn't your place, Norah. I don't want to do this here, so just leave."

Norah let out a short, hollow laugh. "Really, Lionel? After everything?"

Maximo, picking up on the tension, cut in, "You two know each other?"

"She's my fiancée," Lionel said, his confidence strained.

"Lionel, you've got some nerve. We're done. I'm not your fiancée," Norah spat, hating the label.

Lionel's voice cut through the room, sharp with frustration. "Norah, you're making a scene. There's a limit to your theatrics, and this isn't the place."

Vivienne chimed in with a condescending edge. "Norah, you can't keep acting like a pampered princess everywhere."

Norah's hands curled into fists, but she forced herself to stay calm.

Lionel turned to Maximo with an apologetic smile. "Mr. Olson, I apologize for the unnecessary drama."

Maximo chuckled, letting his gaze settle on Norah. "Ms. Fisher, your personal life seems rather... lively."

Ignoring the mockery, Norah held her ground. "Mr. Olson, believe what you want, but Lionel and I are done. I'm here to discuss a possible collaboration on the Western District project. Here's the proposal. If you're interested, we can talk another time."

Norah handed him the document, hoping against hope. She knew her first impression probably wasn't great, but maybe she still had a shot.

Maximo accepted the proposal.

The Western District development project caught Lionel's attention, and his expression darkened.

"Mr. Olson, I'll leave you to it," Norah said, moving to leave.

Outside G.K International, she let out a long breath, though her anger still simmered just below the surface. She pulled out her phone and called Elia Dean.

"Hey, Elia, are you out of the hospital yet?"

She hadn't had a real chance to catch up with Elia in the chaos of the proposal these past few days.

"I'm fine, as you well know. I could've left ages ago, but Matthew insisted I stay until today. We're just finishing the discharge paperwork now," Elia replied, a smile in her voice.

Norah could hear the happiness in Elia's voice, almost feel it through the phone. Lionel had been that attentive once, too—before Vivienne came back and changed everything.

"Want to celebrate my discharge later?"

"Are you sure Matthew's going to let you out of his sight?" Norah teased.

"He can't keep me tied down! Let's meet at our usual spot."

"Perfect."

Smiling, Norah ended the call and was about to get into her car when the door slammed shut. Lionel grabbed her arm, his grip tight enough to make her stumble. There wasn't a trace of gentleness in it.

"Norah, what's this Western District project all about?" Lionel demanded, anger thick in his voice.

Vivienne appeared at Lionel's side, her tone scolding. "Norah, how could you do this? Lionel has supported this project for years. How could you just turn around and look for other investors?"

"Oh? So you back out of the partnership, freeze the funding, and expect my company to just grind to a halt?" Norah shot back, her voice cool.

Lionel hesitated. "Back out? Freeze funding?"

Norah laughed bitterly. "Don't tell me you really didn't know the partnership was canceled, Lionel."

Lionel's pride wouldn't let him admit he'd been kept in the dark, but it was obvious he'd been left out of the loop.

"Even so, do you really think G.K International would consider a project like yours? Come back with me, and I'll resume funding. We'll see it through together," Lionel offered, as if he were making some huge concession.

Norah couldn't help but laugh. All this time, Lionel had seen the partnership as some kind of charity. If he never truly believed in her project, what was the point?

"If you don't see the value in the project, then let's end it here. We're both free now, Lionel. Your business and your life are no longer my concern."

Her words weren't just about the project—they were about the end of their relationship.

"Norah, stop throwing tantrums. There's a limit to this behavior," Lionel scolded.

"Are you coming with me or not?"

Just then, Jamie Olson showed up, breaking the tension.

"There you are, Norah. What took you so long? I was starting to think something happened."

Norah beamed at Jamie, grateful for the distraction. She linked her arm through his and faced Lionel with no trace of distress. "Lionel, I have a boyfriend now. Please don't bother me anymore."

"Jamie, let's go."

"Sure."

Norah left with Jamie while Lionel watched them go, his expression torn between rage and disbelief, a vein pulsing at his temple.

"Norah's just trying to rile you up, Lionel," Vivienne said, clearly annoyed. "How could she move on that fast? She's still in love with you."

Lionel looked at her, confused. "Why would she want to provoke me?"

"Don't you see? She's playing hard to get. Norah's loved you for fifteen years. There's no way she'd fall for someone else overnight," Vivienne said, offering him a reassuring smile.

"She's just using reverse psychology to get your attention."

Lionel relaxed, soothed by the thought. Of course Norah wouldn't move on that fast. She'd been devoted to him for so long; this was just her way of getting him to chase her.

"By the way, do you know what's going on with the Western District project?" Lionel asked.

Vivienne nodded. "Marshall mentioned it. He's doing this to wake Norah up. Throwing a drink at your mom at that party was humiliating for her, and it made you look bad by association."

"Yes, she does need to learn a lesson," Lionel said, agreeing with Marshall's plan.

Vivienne murmured, "I didn't expect Norah to be this determined, even going as far as trying to get G.K to invest."

Lionel waved it off. "G.K International won't be interested in her project."

"Let her fail a little. It'll be a valuable lesson."

Norah Fisher slid into the passenger seat beside Jamie Olson, her tone carrying a note of apology. "Thanks for stepping in back there."

She wanted Jamie to know she had no intention of getting tangled up with Lionel Ross anymore. Even after fifteen years of holding onto feelings for him, she wasn't the type to hang on once things shifted. Lionel's heart wasn't in it anymore, and she wasn't about to cling to the past.

Besides, she'd already given their relationship another shot.

"No worries at all," Jamie replied, flashing a slight, teasing smile. His warm grin brought out the striking angles of his face—an intriguing mix that made it impossible for Norah to hold his gaze. She quickly averted her eyes and switched topics. "What brings you to town?"

Maximo Olson popped into her head, and she studied Jamie a little more carefully. Same last name—could they be related?

"I'm here on business. In a city like this, exploring new opportunities is the smart move," Jamie said, clearing things up before she could wonder any further.

Whether Jamie was tied to Maximo or not didn't matter much to her. Sure, she and Jamie had known each other since they were kids, but they hadn't kept in touch over the years. She liked him well enough, but that didn't mean she was about to dig into his past.

"Where to?" Jamie's voice cut through her thoughts. She blinked, realizing the car was already moving.

"I'm meeting some friends at a bar. Want to tag along?" Norah asked, more out of courtesy than anything.

Jamie had gotten her out of a tight spot twice now, after all.

"Sure!" Jamie accepted so quickly that Norah blinked. She'd only meant to be polite, but clearly he took the invitation seriously.

When they walked into the bar, Elia Dean and Matthew Spencer were already there. Their eyes widened in disbelief at the sight of Jamie with Norah, the shock written all over both of their faces.

Norah made the introductions. "This is Jamie Olson. He stayed with us for a year when we were kids."

"Jamie, this is my best friend Elia and her boyfriend Matthew."

"Hello," Jamie greeted them warmly.

Elia waved, though her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "Hi."

Matthew didn't answer, eyeing Jamie with a hint of suspicion. As Lionel's close friend, he wasn't exactly eager to welcome someone who might take Lionel's place.

Jamie didn't seem fazed by Matthew's cold shoulder.

"Norah, what would you like to drink? I'll get it for you," Jamie offered.

"I'll have an espresso martini," Norah said.

"Got it." Jamie nodded and headed for the bar.

Once he was out of earshot, Elia leaned in. "What's going on? Did you seriously get a new boyfriend already?"

"He's not my boyfriend," Norah said, a little annoyed. "I told you, we knew each other as kids. I'm not looking to date anybody right now."

Elia studied her carefully. "You still haven't let go of Lionel, have you? After everything, please tell me you're not serious."

"Do you really think I'm the kind of person who can't move on?" Norah shot back.

Elia let out a relieved sigh. "Good. I was worried you were still hung up on that jerk."

"Ahem…" Matthew coughed. "I'm still here, you know."

Even as Lionel's friend, he couldn't honestly deny what they were saying.

"Yeah, you're here. And I'd say it to Lionel's face," Elia declared.

Matthew had nothing to say to that.

Norah cut in before things could go any further. "Okay, let's not let my drama ruin our night. No more Lionel talk."

"Norah, are you really breaking things off with Lionel?" Matthew asked, picking up on the firmness in her tone.

Norah let out a soft chuckle. "When have I ever not meant what I said?"

Matthew was about to answer, but Jamie came back with the drinks, cutting him off.

"Here's your drink." Jamie handed Norah her glass.

Norah accepted it, frowning a little. "I ordered an espresso martini. This is a light fruit spritzer."

"The espresso martini you wanted is pretty strong, and you can't handle that," Jamie said casually, his tone part concerned, part teasing.

Everyone caught the undertone in that exchange—everyone except Norah.

Elia and Matthew, though, definitely sensed something simmering.

Norah took a sip of the spritzer. "It's not very strong. I like my cocktails with a little more kick."

"Try mine. It's stronger." Jamie offered her his glass and leaned in closer.

The low lights, the soft music, his close presence—it all made the moment feel a little too intimate.

When Norah met Jamie's gaze, a sudden wave of discomfort rushed through her and she looked away. "It's fine. I'll stick with this. It's good."

With Jamie and Lionel both in the picture, Norah and Elia felt a bit boxed in. After a couple of drinks and some small talk, they decided to call it a night.

"How are you getting home, Norah? Need a ride?" Matthew asked once they were outside.

It wasn't exactly Norah he was worried about. He didn't like how close she and Jamie were getting. There was no way he could just stand by and let his friend end up in an awkward spot.

Norah waved him off, looping her arm through Jamie's. "No need. We live in the same place, so I'll ride with Jamie."

Even with a low-alcohol blueberry spritzer, Norah was feeling a slight buzz.

She'd never been able to hold her liquor well. She'd snuck drinks with Elia plenty of times, even though Lionel disapproved. Eventually, Lionel's disapproval had been enough to make her stop altogether.

Once Vivienne came back, Lionel stopped worrying about her at all.

One night, Norah had deliberately ordered a strong cocktail and kept drinking until she was way past tipsy. Lionel's only reaction had been cold disdain. "You can't hold your liquor, so why drink that much?"

That was the moment she understood the caring, loving Lionel was gone for good. Their relationship was truly over.

"We live together?"

Elia and Matthew exchanged surprised glances.

Jamie said his goodbyes and led Norah away.

Matthew moved to stop them, but Elia caught his arm. "What are you doing?"

"Aren't you worried about them being alone together?"

"Not even a little. Jamie seems like a decent guy—way better than that jerk Lionel," Elia said frankly. She already had a good impression of Jamie.

Matthew sighed. "Better than Lionel? How exactly?"

"Well, he's definitely better looking," Elia shot back, leaving Matthew completely without a comeback.

Early in the morning, Matthew Spencer walked into Ross Corporation.

"Lionel, what the hell is going on with you and Norah Fisher? You're not seriously breaking up, are you?"

Lionel Ross smirked, completely unbothered. "Please. You really think she can live without me?"

Norah was crazy about him, and Lionel knew it. Any talk of breaking up was just her way of throwing a tantrum to get his attention.

"She's seeing someone else—did you know that?" Matthew said urgently.

Lionel didn't even blink. "I know. She just found some guy to make me jealous. It's the same old game."

"Lionel, are you sure Norah's the kind of person who'd do that? If you want to keep her, you need to talk to her like an adult," Matthew advised.

But Lionel wasn't hearing it. "If she wants to throw a tantrum, let her. I've spoiled her rotten, so she thinks she can throw wine in my mother's face and disrespect her in front of everyone. Until she comes back and apologizes, I'm not forgiving her."

He was curious to see how long she'd hold out.

"You messed up at the engagement party too, though."

"I was taking Vivienne to the hospital. It's not like I wasn't coming back. I just needed Norah to hold things down for a bit."

As far as Lionel was concerned, he'd done nothing wrong.

Matthew, however, saw it differently. "Anyone could've taken her to the hospital. Did it really have to be you? You left Norah high and dry at the engagement party—what did you think was gonna happen?"

"Why wouldn't she handle it? Vivienne was pregnant, and that's more important. It's not the same if someone else takes her. She's carrying my brother's kid."

"I get why Norah decided to call it quits with you," Matthew said knowingly.

Lionel shrugged, totally unconcerned, and clapped Matthew on the shoulder. "Don't stress about us. She'll be back in a few days."

"Lionel, nobody's indispensable. If you keep this up, Norah might never come back, and you'll be the one regretting it," Matthew warned.

Lionel laughed. "What, did Norah say something to you? Or did she send you here?"

"No," Matthew replied, deciding to drop it. If Lionel couldn't see her worth, nothing he said would change that.

"Lionel."

Vivienne Powell walked in.

Matthew gave her a quick glance, then turned back to Lionel with a sigh. "I've got some errands to run, so I'll take my leave."

Vivienne watched him go, but Matthew didn't so much as glance her way.

"Vivienne, what brings you here?"

Lionel's voice drew Vivienne's gaze back to him. "I'm feeling a little unwell. Could you take me to the hospital?"

"Not feeling well?" Lionel was at her side in an instant, worry written all over his face.

Vivienne took Lionel's hand and placed it on her stomach. "Here."

"Jake, bring the car around. We're heading to the hospital," Lionel called out, his voice tight.

Vivienne gently guided his hand, easing the discomfort. "Rubbing it like this helps a lot."

"Alright," Lionel murmured, massaging her stomach softly.

The two of them stood close, Lionel's arm curled around Vivienne's waist while his other hand worked gently over her stomach.

Meanwhile, Norah woke up feeling miserable. The stomach issues she'd battled since childhood had flared up again.

Back when she was with Lionel, he would constantly order heavy, spicy food and insist she eat it, dismissing her sensitive stomach as an overreaction. Whenever she reminded him she had a sensitive stomach, he'd brush it off and claim spicy food had nothing to do with it. If she refused, he'd insist until she gave in just to keep the peace—and her stomach paid the price.

Skipping a single meal could set it off, and yesterday's slight overindulgence in wine had done exactly that.

Doubled over in pain, she hunted for her medication, only to remember she'd left it at the apartment she used to share with Lionel. Ordering online would take too long, so she steeled herself and headed downstairs to the pharmacy.

The moment she opened the door, she found herself face-to-face with Jamie Olson stepping out of his apartment.

"What's wrong?" Jamie caught it instantly and rushed over to steady her.

"My stomach's acting up," Norah admitted, her forehead slick with sweat.

"Why didn't you call me?" Jamie chided, concern sharpening his voice. Thank God he'd been there—what would she have done if he'd already left for the office?

"I'm fine. I just ran out of my meds, that's all."

The pain was awful, but it was nothing she hadn't dealt with a hundred times before.

Without another word, Jamie scooped her up.

"Jamie, what are you doing?"

"We're going to the hospital."

"No need. Some medicine and rest will do," Norah insisted, but he was already carrying her into the elevator.

When they reached the ground floor, Jamie got her settled in the car, then jogged into the pharmacy for her medication and a bottle of water.

He came back and pressed the pills into her hand, already out of the packaging, along with an open bottle of water.

Norah swallowed the medicine, and Jamie helped her ease the seat back before pulling out.

"Jamie, this is really not necessary. The medicine will kick in soon."

Jamie wasn't having it. "Better to have a doctor check you out."

He drove fast but carefully, and soon they pulled up at the hospital. Jamie helped Norah out of the car right as Lionel and Vivienne arrived.

Vivienne, dripping with fake concern, asked, "Norah, what's wrong? Is it your stomach acting up again?"

Norah ignored her. The medicine still hadn't kicked in, and she wasn't in the mood to play nice.

Lionel's gaze swept over Norah's pale face and bloodless lips, his brow furrowing. He took a step forward, but Vivienne immediately clung to his arm. "Lionel, my stomach… it's really uncomfortable," she whimpered.

Norah let out a bitter little laugh.

How convenient.

Lionel's attention snapped back to Vivienne. He didn't spare Norah another glance as he settled Vivienne into a wheelchair and pushed her inside.

This same scene had played out too many times since Vivienne came back six months ago. Norah was used to it by now. It didn't even sting anymore.

"Jamie, let's just go."

"Alright," Jamie murmured, sweeping her into his arms.

Norah squirmed, embarrassed by the attention. "Jamie, you don't have to do this. I can walk, you know."

The medicine had started working, the pain fading enough for her to manage on her own.

But Jamie had no intention of putting her down. He simply strode into the hospital with her cradled against his chest.

Inside the crowded hospital, Norah felt every pair of eyes on them and instinctively buried her face against Jamie's chest to hide.

She was completely oblivious to how intimate it looked—and missed Jamie's slow grin and the low chuckle he couldn't quite hold back as he carried her right past Lionel and Vivienne.