Nora Reynolds kept a polite smile on her face, but in her heart, she had already decided this man would be difficult to get along with.

Even if he was Ryan Brooks’ good friend, he was no exception.

Lifting her dress slightly, Nora brushed past Ethan Blake, leaned down just enough, and lightly clinked her glass against Ryan’s. Her eyes shimmered, bright and lively. The reflection on Ryan’s glasses flickered — at first, he thought it was just the tilt of the wineglass catching the light, but as he squinted, he realized it was the glint of the crystal hairpin in Nora’s hair and the diamond brooch pinned to her chest.

Perfectly matched.

Ryan’s heart sped up, his gaze lingering on Nora with an unexpected sense of loss.

Despite all the people he had met over the years, seeing Nora at that moment still made his heart skip — he couldn’t escape the pull of it.

But Nora was completely oblivious to his stare. To her, Ryan was still the same as ever — proper and serious, like an old-fashioned scholar, clueless about romance.

But that was fine. This glass-clinking was just politeness on her part. She curved her lips in a small smile.

“Let’s catch up one-on-one next time if we get the chance.”

There were two layers of meaning to those words. Ryan caught the first — that Nora had things she couldn’t say in front of Ethan today. But there was another layer, one he missed completely, though Ethan understood it perfectly.

This girl wore her likes and dislikes plainly on her face.

Even though a faint displeasure rose in his chest, Ethan, who had perfected the art of hiding his emotions, didn’t show it. He watched Nora’s retreating figure — her back straight, her waist slender — like a young willow tree that somehow bloomed with the dangerous beauty of a rose.

A rose with thorns — delicate on the outside, resilient within. And if picked… how sweet would it taste?

Even after she was long gone, Ryan’s gaze followed her until a deep, cool voice suddenly sounded at his ear.

“You like her.”

It wasn’t a question — it was a statement.

After so many years of brotherhood, they could read each other with a glance. There was no need for Ryan to hide it. He chuckled softly.

“You caught that? What do you think of Nora?”

“She’s called Nora?” Ethan’s low, slightly raspy voice pressed the words, carrying a strange texture.

Ryan hooked an arm around his friend’s shoulders. “Yeah. Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”

Ethan’s eyes narrowed slightly. In his mind, he saw a flash of last night — Nora curled against him as they slept. He could still feel it. Yes, she was very soft.

“Lives up to the name.”

Oblivious Ryan didn’t catch the double meaning. He just thought Ethan was complimenting Nora’s delicate, gentle nature and became immediately excited.

“I want to marry her. Think we’d be a good match?”

Ethan’s gaze cut sideways, giving Ryan a deep, unreadable look.

“If Ryan Brooks takes a wife, he ought to treat her like the rarest of treasures.”

Ryan grinned. “Exactly. You know me too well.”

Ethan’s eyes glinted.

“You sure you really know her?”

“It’s been years since we last met,” Ryan said easily. “But we’ll have time to get to know each other again.”

“Then I wish you luck.”

Ryan didn’t hear the chill in Ethan’s voice. He thought it was a simple blessing, clinked glasses with him, and felt more excited than ever.

A little while later, Ethan excused himself to go to the restroom, leaving Ryan behind.

Out in the garden, Nora sat on a white swing, becoming dinner for the mosquitoes.

She was lost in idle, wandering thoughts. A few big red welts had already formed on her pale arm, but she hadn’t noticed — not until the swing behind her, which had been still, suddenly moved.

The sudden weightlessness made her cry out.

The movement was so sudden Nora had no time to react. Luckily, her hands instinctively grabbed the swing’s frame, but her mood soured instantly.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

She spun around, cheeks flushed, only to meet a pair of deep, starry eyes glinting with mockery and mischief.

It was Ryan’s friend.

Nora’s mind was clear. She looked straight at Ethan, her gaze cold.

“Sir, I don’t believe we’ve met.”

The man said nothing. Colored lights from the fountain reflected on his sharply cut face. In those few seconds, his lips curved coldly, and he pulled something from his suit pocket like a magician — a necklace.

At the sight of it, Nora instinctively reached for her neck.

But she had forgotten — she’d blacked out drunk the night before, and only discovered at home that the necklace Adrian Cole had given her was missing.

At the time, she had only felt a brief pang of regret. Now, seeing it again, she reached for it almost immediately. But Ethan’s long arm lifted it just out of her reach, holding it high above his head.

Deliberately taunting her.

That moment, Nora realized his hostility toward her wasn’t without reason — but she had no idea what that reason was.

“Where did you find it?”

Ethan realized then that Nora didn’t remember him.

He closed the necklace in his fist, lowering it slightly. Nora instinctively stepped closer, trying to reach it. As she moved around him, her eyes caught sight of a small red mole at the base of his neck.

And in an instant, the memories came flooding back, her face flushing pink.

“Remember now?”

Her hands froze. The next second, she trembled with shame.

Those hurried, chaotic memories surged back as if they had just happened.

The one that stood out most was when his lips brushed the hollow of her waist. Even in her hazy state, her entire body had turned pink — not out of bias, but because this man clearly knew what he was doing.

He was good at playing games.

And very good in bed.

Seeing him again only made that impression stronger.

Not wanting to get entangled with him further, Nora drew back abruptly.

“Forget it. If you like it, you can have it.”

She turned to leave.

“Another man gave that to you?” Ethan’s voice came from behind.

Nora froze, her fingers clenched tight — but she didn’t answer.

What business was it of his?

“Miss Reynolds, a one-night whim and now you don’t want to take responsibility?”

His voice turned even colder, like a chill that cut through bone.

Nora spun around, furious.

“Watch your words.”

Yes, that night had been unforgettable — but not enough for her to endure this kind of arrogance.

“So you do remember.” Ethan’s voice was deceptively mild.

Nora’s temper flared.

“Tell me what exactly it is you want.”

His gaze was anything but innocent.

“If Miss Reynolds is willing, I don’t see why we can’t continue this… mistake of a relationship.”

Nora let out a laugh, her eyes narrowing.

“We barely know each other. Are you joking, Mr. Blake?”

Ethan’s tone was grave.

“I think last night is something you’ll never forget.”

Nora snapped, “I can’t give you anything official. Stop joking.”

She still planned to start something with Ryan — everyone else could step aside.

Ethan’s fingers hooked under her chin lightly. There was no real force, but the pressure was suffocating.

And he smelled of expensive cologne — sharp, luxurious, intoxicating.

“So you plan to date Ryan?”

Nora frowned in disgust.

“And what does that have to do with you?”

Ethan’s lips curved in a sharp smile, as if mocking her words.

“It does. We already have a relationship.”

“One-night stands are as common as grabbing a meal,” Nora shot back. “You’re Ryan’s friend. Haven’t you ever lived abroad?”

That made Ethan pause, then he gave a low, derisive laugh.

“Didn’t expect you to be so open-minded, Miss Reynolds.”

Nora flushed inwardly but kept her face calm.

“That’s right.”

Her innocent look paired with her stubborn words was almost comical.

“If you change your mind,” Ethan said with a faint smirk, “you know where to find me.”

He pocketed the necklace and handed her his business card — black with gold trim, stark and elegant. The signature wasn’t printed but digitally hand-signed.

Nora watched him walk away, crushed the card in her palm until it was wrinkled beyond recognition, then threw it to the ground and ground it under her heel.

Who said she’d ever change her mind? This man was far too sure of himself!

Just as she turned to leave, she nearly collided with a hard chest.

The man’s torso was like iron — it hurt — and anger surged through her as she looked up, only to find herself face-to-face with Adrian Cole.

Before she could speak, his iron arms clamped around her wrists.

“Who was that man just now? You cheating on me?”

At his domineering tone, Nora yanked her hands free with force, her face flushing hot.

“We’re getting divorced. You agreed to it!”

Adrian’s face darkened.

“I never agreed.”

Nora nearly laughed out loud. She wanted to curse him for being shameless — but then, from behind him, Vivian Lane appeared, slowly approaching.

Nora’s lips curved in a cold smile as she deliberately provoked him.

“Oh, really? And what about Vivian? Don’t you plan to make her official?”

All she saw was Vivian’s sharp, unfriendly face, her gaze like a blade that could cut Nora to pieces.

The angrier Vivian looked, the more delighted Nora felt.

Adrian’s brow furrowed.

“This is between you and me. Leave Vivian out of it.”

“She’s not your precious first love? Now that nothing stands in your way, shouldn’t you be together?”

Her tone dripped with sarcasm, but Adrian was already consumed by anger, too far gone to hear.

“How many times do I have to say it? Vivian and I are innocent.”

“Oh? And does Vivian think the same?” Nora’s voice suddenly rose, her gaze shifting straight to Vivian.

“Stay out of it!” Adrian growled.

Vivian’s tone softened, as if they weren’t standing in a battlefield.

“Nora, what are you saying? When have I ever tried to steal Adrian from you? Are you misunderstanding just because I came with him to the Reynolds house today?”

Vivian’s face changed from fury to polite warmth in an instant — like sleight of hand.

Nora could almost admire her. To play the innocent so well required skill.

But she could never do it. She wasn’t thick-skinned enough. Which was why, in Adrian’s eyes, she always came off as unreasonable and immature compared to Vivian.

“Nora, Adrian’s busy enough. Stop making things harder for him,” Vivian said sweetly.

Nora let out a short laugh.

“He’s the one pestering me. If you’re free now that you’re divorced, Vivian, you’re welcome to take him off my hands.”

“Nora, that’s not what I—”

“Spare me whatever excuse you’re about to make,” Nora cut her off, turning to Adrian.

“I’m getting this divorce, and you’d better get it done quickly before you regret it.”

With that, she lifted her dress and left.

She was so furious that even the garden — usually her favorite place — couldn’t calm her down.

She locked herself in her room to get some peace, but the moment she thought of that pair of hypocrites, her mood sank all over again.

Ryan’s text came in close to eight.

“Nora, I brought you a gift. Are you still at the party?”