Nora was taken aback by his appearance – he was dressed in a finely tailored grey suit, quite unlike his usual shirts and sweaters. Nora, with her keen fashion sense, could instantly recognize the quality of the suit even from a distance.Greg's overall demeanour seemed altered too. There was something about him that she couldn't quite put her finger on, a certain air of change that hung around him. She felt an urge to approach him and strike up a conversation. But before she could act on that impulse, two elegantly dressed men approached Greg. They exchanged greetings and promptly led him to a reserved area of the restaurant, clearly a more private space. That put a pause on Nora's intention of talking to Greg.Her focus was abruptly shifted when Alexander's voice cut through the air, drawing her attention. "Hello, doll," he greeted as he took his seat across from her. "Lost in thought?" he asked, his voice playful. Nora realized that she had been deep in contemplation and missed his
Nora's eyes remained fixed on him, her expression a mix of curiosity and scepticism. "Sweetie, you know it's not good to eavesdrop, right?" Alexander spoke his tone light, accompanied by a friendly smile. "I was talking to Cindy about a surprise I am planning for a friend," he continued, trying to defuse any suspicion in the air.Cindy was Alexander's sister, who used to be fond of Nora. Nora's gaze held steady on him, her eyes searching for any signs that might betray the truth. She studied his face intently, looking for clues, for anything that might suggest he was hiding more than he was saying. After a moment of silence that felt longer than it was, Nora finally looked away, breaking eye contact. Her thoughts were a whirlwind, and her emotions conflicted. She wanted to trust him, to believe that he had changed, but the scars from the past were still fresh. "Alright, Alex," she finally responded, her voice a mix of caution and resignation. "Just remember that words are easy. It's
Amanda Johnson's heart ached for her daughter, her pain a tangible weight in the room. Her love for Nora was immense, and seeing her suffer brought tears to her eyes. The memories of Nora's marriage to Alexander were etched with turmoil, and Amanda knew it was time to reveal a hidden truth."Nora, sweetheart," Amanda began, her voice tremulous but determined. "Your father and I made a difficult decision years ago, one we felt was best for you in the midst of your pain." As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes. She recounted the events they had concealed from Nora – the harrowing time when Nora was in the hospital, broken and struggling.Amanda recalled the moment they had gone to face Alexander's parents, a memory that played out vividly in her mind's eye. It was as if time had not dimmed its intensity.The ambience of Alexander's parent's house was a display of opulence – a sprawling estate complete with a grand pool, a jacuzzi, and even a tennis court. Security personnel guarded th
Nora's patience was wearing thin as she folded her arms protectively over her chest and scrutinized Patience. She couldn't fathom the audacity Patience displayed, but then, she knew that audacity stemmed from her amorous exploits with almost every man at Sandra Spears Fashion House who cast a longing glance her way.She was sleeping with Sandra Spears' husband and Pamela's husband, Nora wondered whose bed she was also gracing. "Patience, it's far too early for these games. Step aside," Nora began to assert herself, but before she could continue, Patience interrupted her."And what if I don't?" Patience challenged, her tone dripping with insolence.Nora sighed, her irritation evident. "Fine, I will humour you. What is it you want to discuss?"Patience, ever the provocateur, replied with a sly smile, "Oh, just how you have a peculiar talent for appearing at precisely the wrong time and in the most unwelcome places."The confrontation between the two women had an air of tension, as Nora
"Yes, it was," Greg confirmed with a smile. Nora, clearly taken aback, struggled to find words. "How? I mean, you looked and dressed differently," she finally managed to say.Greg leaned in, his smile unwavering. "I had a meeting, so I decided to dress differently," he explained. When Nora remained silent, Greg added with a hint of humour, "Those are preloved. I mean my outfits, I got them from a vintage store that sells designer outfits. "Their waiter arrived with their order, effectively breaking the awkward silence. Nora seized the opportunity to change the subject, offering a charming smile. "So, you also shop for preloved clothes. Vintage is definitely the way to go to look fabulous on a budget," she remarked.Even as Nora smiled and tried to engage in the conversation, her reservations about Greg still lingered. However, she chose to accept his explanation and pushed aside her lingering doubts, feeling that she might be becoming overly paranoid.Nora flashed a playful smile as
Nora turned around, and behind her was Alexander. He had a sly smile on his face, "Hi", he said with his hands in his pocket. "You scared me", Nora said. The street light partly illuminated where they stood, so Nora was able to partly see him.Nora's heart was racing as she faced Alexander in the dimly lit street. She couldn't believe her ex-husband had shown up like this, and with that smirk on his face."What are you doing here, Alexander?" Nora asked, trying to keep her voice steady despite the anxiety bubbling up inside her.Nora's words were firm, and she maintained her composure. She had worked hard to establish a new life for herself and Graycen after their divorce, and she wasn't about to let Alexander disrupt it."I have been waiting here for you for hours. I just needed to see you and talk to you", Alexander said. Nora exhaled, she wasn't even aware she was holding her breath. "Alex, we are divorced and have separate lives. You can't just show up at my home unannounced", No
Nora stood in the midst of the sea of red roses, her heart pounding as she tried to comprehend what was happening."Nora, what is this about?", her father asked. "Dad I am as shocked as you are", Nora answered.She spotted a card nestled within one of the bouquets, her hands trembling as she reached for it. She retrieved the card and opened it. Inside, she found a heartfelt message:"I would give you a million roses just to show you how sorry I am for every hurt I caused you,Alexander."Nora couldn't help but feel a mixture of emotions – confusion, surprise, and a faint stir of something else.Nora's heart sank as she read the card. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. It was a grand gesture, but it left her feeling conflicted. She handed the card to her father and he read it and handed it to Nora's mother. Her father looked at her, concern etched on his face. "Nora, do you want to talk about this?" he asked gently.Nora took a deep breath and shook her head. "Dad, I think I n
"So, tell me what has been happening with Vivian," Nora asked, her voice filled with a mix of intrigue and the need for a distraction from her own tumultuous life."Well, I have more than Vivian's drama to distract you with," Veronica replied, a mischievous glint in her eyes.Nora leaned in closer, her coffee momentarily forgotten, as she urged Veronica to share the drama. "Please, I need a distraction from my life right now," Nora pleaded.With a wicked smile, Veronica began to unveil the scandalous revelation. "It seems Vivian was not just sleeping with my fiancé; apparently, she also had a one-night stand with her boss."Nora was taken aback, and in her shock, she choked on her drink, the coffee nearly escaping through her nose. She sputtered, trying to clear her airway, as Veronica hurried to fetch her a tissue.Veronica hurriedly grabbed some napkins, attempting to blot the coffee from her couch and Nora's clothes. She then rushed to the kitchen, returning with a glass of water f