“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?”

Nora Reynolds forced herself to calm down, stepping out from the shadowed corridor. She suppressed her irritation as she typed on her phone, heading toward the gala hall—truthfully, she just wanted to avoid everyone, but clearly that wasn’t an option tonight.

When Nora reached the main ballroom, Adrian Cole and Vivian Lane were already gone.

Ryan Brooks was still trying to keep Ethan Blake from leaving, asking why he was running off so quickly.

“You never invite me to those dinners with Ron,” Ryan complained.

Ethan was silent for a moment, then opened his eyes again, sharp as a blade.

Ryan sighed. “Fine. Once I start my new job, we’ll see each other even less.”

“At least you’re back now,” Ethan said. “Compared to before, we’ll definitely meet more often.”

Ryan grinned. “Then next time, can you at least invite me to one of those meetings?”

“Pay the protection fee first,” Ethan replied with a smirk.

Ryan bared his teeth. “You’re such a hustler.”

Ethan clapped him on the shoulder, still with his back to Nora. “I’ve never actually hustled you out of any money.”

Then Ethan left. Ryan cursed under his breath before turning back and spotting Nora.

“You came?” he asked.

“I saw your message,” Nora replied.

Ryan handed her a beautiful blue velvet box. “Brought this back from a Christie’s auction.”

Nora opened it. “You even thought of me while you were overseas?”

Ryan smiled warmly, towering over her, and ruffled her soft hair.

“Our parents are both trying to set us up,” he said gently. “What do you think about that?”

Unlike Adrian, who was always tense and guarded, Ryan was gentle and composed. His soft-spoken manner and steady temperament soothed the hurt left on Nora’s heart by Ethan’s earlier words. She smiled.

“With your friend here just now, it wasn’t convenient to talk. But yes, I agree to date you, Ryan.”

Ryan’s smile deepened. “This is your little gift, Nora. Thank you for accepting me.”

Nora had never been coaxed so tenderly by a boyfriend before. Her nose stung with sudden warmth.

“Love goes both ways,” she said softly. “Next time, I’ll get you something.”

“Deal,” Ryan said, blinking playfully.

The gala ended close to midnight. Daniel Reynolds strode up to her, his long legs eating up the distance, brows slightly raised.

“I heard you’re going to date Ryan Brooks. Is that true?”

Nora looped her arm through his and smiled. “What do you think, big brother?”

Daniel frowned, his sharp features hard. “In theory, fine—but in practice, I still need to see what kind of man he is.”

Nora nearly laughed. Daniel was clearly on high alert. Then, he suddenly changed the subject.

“Nora, did you date anyone while you were overseas?”

Daniel’s expression was fierce, giving off the vibe of a father interrogating a wayward child.

She gave a nervous laugh. “Brother, did you hear something?”

Daniel let out a cold chuckle. “I heard something tonight that made Mom and Dad furious. How dare someone spread rumors about you?”

He gave her a sidelong glance, letting his words hang. Nora felt her chest tighten under the pressure.

“So?” Daniel pressed. “Did you or didn’t you?”

“No,” Nora said quickly, gritting her teeth.

She cursed Adrian silently in her heart—this troublemaker! It was bad enough he didn’t know who she really was, but to spread rumors to her father?

Just as Nora was about to escape, Daniel grabbed the sash of her dress.

“Stand still!” he barked.

“Mom and Dad want to see you. Come with me!”

“Nooo, Daniel, please—”

With Nora’s status in the Reynolds family, even the smallest ripple could trigger a full family meeting. Soon, she was sitting alone, facing the entire family.

Daniel looked like a strict professor, only missing a pair of glasses before he could step behind a lectern.

“Be honest!” he demanded.

Nora smiled sweetly, though the smile didn’t reach her eyes.

“Don’t be so serious, brother.”

Daniel cracked a reluctant laugh. “Stop talking back and just answer me!”

Nora pouted, but stayed quiet.

Robert Reynolds, unable to watch his daughter being scolded, softened instantly.

“Don’t be scared, Nora. If you don’t want to talk, don’t. Ignore your brother,” he said, shooting Daniel a glare. As patriarch, Robert’s authority was absolute—but Daniel was one of the few who could stand up to it.

Linda Reynolds gave her husband a single look, and he immediately bowed his head.

“Honey, what do you want to say?” he asked meekly.

Robert’s teacup was quickly offered to her, trying to please. Nora secretly sighed—her father was a typical wife-and-daughter doting man, siding with his wife seventy percent of the time and his daughter the other thirty.

Nora was long used to it. Linda was the one Robert cared for most in the world—whatever she wanted, he would follow without question.

Linda blew away the tea leaves on the surface before speaking.

“That man said he married you. Is it true?”

Nora froze, then tightened her clasped hands.

“Mom, it’s… a little complicated. Can you let me explain it slowly?”

Linda’s sharp gaze fixed on her, but she didn’t lash out.

“I know I shouldn’t take only his word for it,” she said evenly.

“Mom,” Nora said quickly, “I promise I’ll handle this.”

Linda’s disappointment was written all over her face.

“Nora, you never used to lie,” she said softly.

Nora’s eyes filled with tears, her lashes trembling like butterfly wings.

“Mom, please… just give me a little time?”

Linda shook her head. “It’s okay, honey. No matter what you decide, I’ll support you. But promise me—you must never let yourself get hurt.”

“I promise, Mom,” Nora said solemnly.

“Good,” Linda replied. “Just don’t hide things from me.”

Guilt twisted inside Nora. She had always been the perfect daughter—yet she was hiding the deepest secret of all.

Sweat beaded under her bangs as Linda sent Robert and Daniel away.

“There are things I need to discuss with Nora alone,” she said.

Once they were gone, Linda grew serious.

“Tell me the truth—have you ever been pregnant?”

Nora nearly broke into a sweat.

“No, no! Absolutely not!”

Linda could tell at a glance whether her daughter was lying.

“Then maybe you should wait a bit before starting a relationship with Ryan,” she suggested. “Clear this up first.”

“No need, Mom. I can handle it,” Nora said with a determined nod.

“Good. You’ll see Ryan soon—try to make it work between you two,” Linda said, her words carrying a subtle pressure.

Truthfully, Nora didn’t feel strongly about Ryan one way or the other, but with her mother’s words, it felt like a mission.

It was a heavy, invisible burden—but maybe Ryan would make a good life partner.

“Your job is all arranged?” Linda asked.

“Yes. I start tomorrow,” Nora replied.

“Good. As long as you’re here, your father and I will always protect you,” Linda said.

Nora nodded. “Mm-hmm.”

“I’m going to rest now,” Linda said.

That night, Nora lay awake for hours, ignoring the deeper meaning hidden in her mother’s words.

The next day, at St. Mary’s Medical Center, she ran into Ryan in the cardiothoracic department—and froze.