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.
