Chapter 12. Katrina.

I stared at Nicholas, my eyes wide with shock, still reeling from his words. He has to be joking, right? Why else would he say something like that? What does he even mean? I thought back to our brief encounter, trying to make sense of his statement. It was just a chance meeting, a spark of attraction, but nothing more. I just left a ten-year marriage that led to absolutely nothing, and now he wants me to be with him? This is definitely a joke. There's no way he's serious about this.

I slowly shook my head, finding the idea completely preposterous. "I'm sorry, but I can't do that," I said, my voice clipped, trying to convey my incredulity. "Our connection that day wasn't that deep for me to want to become your woman." I emphasized the last part, trying to make him understand that I wasn't interested in him or any kind of relationship. I was done with that.

Nicholas's expression didn't change, but I saw a flicker of something in his eyes. Disappointment? Anger? I couldn't quite tell. "