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
Nora's eyes widened in surprise and joy. "What? That's incredible news!" she exclaimed, putting down her coffee and hugging Veronica tightly. "Congratulations, Ronnie! This is amazing!"Veronica smiled, her eyes shimmering with happiness and a touch of apprehension. "Thank you, Nora. It's a whirlwind of emotions right now. But I'm excited."Nora pulled back and looked at her friend, her enthusiasm bubbling. "A baby! You're going to be an amazing mom, Veronica."Veronica laughed, "Well, let's hope so. It's a whole new adventure.""You'll do wonderfully," Nora reassured her, feeling a surge of happiness for her friend. "And now we'll have our little ones growing up together."Veronica nodded a soft smile on her face. "Yes, that's pretty amazing. Two best friends and now future moms together."As they sipped their coffee and chatted about the exciting times ahead, Nora's heart felt lighter. Veronica's initial joy gave way to a sombre expression, her eyes clouding over with a mix of emoti
Nora was momentarily transfixed to the floor, caught off guard by Sebastian's unexpected appearance. The atmosphere grew slightly awkward as he stood at the doorway, unable to enter without her invitation."What are you doing here?" Nora finally managed to ask, finding her voice amidst the surprise and confusion."I've been trying to reach you, Nora. I just came into town and couldn't leave without seeing you," Sebastian explained, his concern evident in his words."Sebastian, if I've been avoiding your calls, it's clear I'm not ready to speak to you," Nora stated calmly, her voice steady and composed, revealing her determination to set boundaries."Nora, I don't understand you. Why are you avoiding me? You've avoided me for the past five years, and I admit I should have asked before showing up. But can we at least talk?" Sebastian asked. Nora looked at Sebastian and said no. Sebastian turned on his heels and walked away.Nora went back to the couch, picked up her tablet, and put it d
Nora could feel Alexander's gaze on her as she entered the sitting room. She knew her choice of outfit had made an impression. With confident strides, she approached the door, expecting Greg's arrival.As she swung the door open, her anticipation was met with the sight of Greg. His eyes widened in appreciation as they fell upon her. The midnight-blue dress clung to her curves in all the right places, highlighting her hourglass figure. Nora greeted Greg with a warm smile, welcoming him into her home.Immediately they walked into the sitting room, Nora turned drew Greg into her arms and hugged him tightly. She felt his body tense and he immediately relaxed and hugged her. Nora released Greg and turned to Alexander, "This is Greg, a friend of mine", she tried gauging his emotions but he simply kept a straight Face. "Greg this is Alexander, my ex-husband. Alexander got up from his seat and Nora didn't know what would happen next. As Alexander rose from his seat, Nora braced herself for a
Before Nora's wedding, Nora had followed Greg to New York to see his family. Nora could see that they were really happy to finally meet her. One afternoon, she decided to spend time with Veronica, who was staying at her parents' home. As they sipped on glasses of apple juice, Nora expressed disbelief, "I can't believe they put you on bed rest."Veronica, reclining on the couch with her feet up, sighed, "Hmm, it's best to be safe than sorry. I can't wait to hold my baby in my arms." Suddenly, Veronica screamed, causing Nora to jump. "Are you okay?" Nora asked, hastily setting the glass down.Veronica, a mix of excitement and panic on her face, managed to say, "Call my mom, Nora. My water just broke."Nora's heart lurched in her chest as Veronica's panicked cry echoed through the room. The calm afternoon chat was shattered, replaced by a sudden urgency. Springing into action, Nora grabbed her phone and dialled Veronica's mother's number."Mom! It's Nora," she said, her voice trembling
Nora felt a rush of emotions. She hadn't expected this, and the genuine love in Greg's eyes overwhelmed her. "Yes, Greg, a thousand times yes," she replied with tears of joy in her eyes. Greg slid the ring onto her finger, and they sealed the moment with a tender kiss.Nora and Greg spent the rest of the night enjoying each other's body. Greg was such a passionate and creative lover. Later in the night, he brought in a bowl of ice cream, by the time they were done, Nora knew she would always blush anytime she thought of ice cream. The things they did, Greg licked the ice cream off her nipples and Nora heard herself moaning his name out loud. Early in the morning at about five in the morning, Nora was driving back to her parent's home. She didn't want Graycen waking up to her absence. As she turned the steering wheel, her eyes rested briefly on her ring. It was so beautiful, so exquisite. Greg had great taste.Nora remembered how she had mailed Alexander's ring back to him after the
In the hushed atmosphere of the doctor's office, Alexander and Nora found themselves ensconced in an uneasy quiet. The ticking of the clock echoed with the rhythm of their anxious hearts as they awaited the revelation that would connect the threads of their lives to an unseen benefactorThe sterile walls, adorned with medical charts and diplomas, seemed to amplify the gravity of the situation. Nora's fingers absentmindedly traced patterns on the armrest of her chair, a nervous habit that betrayed the storm of emotions brewing within her. Alexander, ever the stoic figure, sat beside her, his eyes fixated on the door as if willing it to open and unveil the secret they had been yearning to unravel.The doctor, a composed figure in a white coat, entered the room. Her demeanour carried a blend of empathy and professionalism, a delicate balance that bespoke her years of dealing with the intricacies of life and death. She explained the procedure they were about to undergo, the potential outco
The sterile walls of the doctor's office seemed to shrink as Nora and Alexander sat, anticipation hanging heavy in the air. An hour had passed since the doctor's cryptic message, each tick of the clock stretching into an eternity. Finally, the doctor entered, her face unreadable."I have some news," she began, her voice a low hum in the tense silence. "We have a match."Nora's breath hitched. "A match?" she choked out, disbelieving."Yes," the doctor confirmed, a hint of a smile gracing her lips. "We had several potential donors come forward, and we've found a perfect match for your bone marrow transplant, Mr. Steele."Tears welled up in Nora's eyes, blurring the doctor's features. The dam within her broke, and a torrent of emotions cascaded down her cheeks. Relief, joy, disbelief - they all warred within her, leaving her speechless. Alexander, his hand clasped tightly in hers, squeezed gently, a silent echo of the storm raging within him.The doctor reached out, offering a tissue box
The door creaked open, revealing Alexander lying pale against the sterile white sheets. An IV drip snaked its way up his arm, the rhythmic drip-drop the only sound in the otherwise hushed room. Relief washed over Nora like a tidal wave, momentarily erasing the frantic worry that had clawed at her insides all morning. He was alive.Hesitantly, she approached the bedside, her eyes scanning his face for any sign of pain. His features were relaxed, seemingly lost in sleep. But the dark circles beneath his eyes and the pallor of his skin spoke of a battle fought. Tears welled up in Nora's eyes, blurring the image before her.Suddenly, a nurse in crisp blue scrubs appeared at the doorway. "Doctor Thompson would like to see you in her office."Nora nodded, wiping her tears with a shaky hand. She needed answers. What had happened? Was he going to be okay? Following the nurse, her every step echoed with unspoken questions.Doctor Thompson, a woman with kind eyes and a reassuring smile, gesture
Unfortunately, you are not a bone marrow match for Alexander."Nora's heart juddered to a halt, the doctor's words echoing in the sterile void. Her vision blurred, and a choked gasp escaped her lips. Alexander's hand, warm and comforting, found hers, but it did little to soothe the storm raging within. Disappointment, fear, and a flicker of something she couldn't quite place – a cocktail of emotions churned in her stomach, leaving a metallic taste on her tongue.The doctor's voice continued, offering options, hope, but Nora was lost in the world of her own thoughts. Every word blurred into a distant hum, her focus solely on the image of Graycen, small and innocent, asleep in her bed. A pang of unbearable pain tore through Nora's chest, the fear for her daughter's future suffocating.Alexander's nudge brought her back to reality . "Let's go," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. Stepping outside, the chill of the night air barely registered against the cold fear gripping her hea
One week after Nora found out about Alexander's health condition her mind was constantly worried. Alexander was carrying on as if everything was right with the world, he spent every afternoon with his daughter and sometimes Nora would tag along on their little outings. They hadn't discussed the status of their relationship yet and Nora wasn't ready for that talk yet. That was why when Alexander invited her to be his date at an event she found it awkward and difficult to say no to him. As they sat in the back seat of Alexander's Rolls Royce, neither of them spoke to each other. Nora looked exquisite and she knew it, she was wearing one of the designs from her fashion line. It was a pale blue one-shoulder Grecian gown and the pearly bejewelled headpiece she had on matched the bejewelled belt that cinched the gown in at the waist showing off her hourglass shape. John Mason, a renowned hotelier, had just unveiled his five-star masterpiece, and the crème de la crème of New York City were
Alexander's words, calm on the surface but laced with desperation, hung heavy in the air. "I just... I didn't know how to tell you," he stammered, his gaze flickering between Nora and the envelope on the table.Nora's voice, laced with a tremor she couldn't control, cut through the silence. "Didn't know how to tell me you have leukaemia?" she echoed, the words raw and sharp. "But how could you do this, Alexander? How could you keep such a thing from me?"Nora was in a state of shock and so was Veronica. After calling and telling Nora what was written on the test result, she picked up her phone and went through the result again. From the result, Alexander just had a few months left. Veronica shook her head at the futility of life, she couldn't believe that Alexander was sick. The Alexander that used to physically and emotionally abuse Nora wasn't immortal after all. Tears welled up in Nora's eyes, blurring the vision of the envelope clutched in her hand. The medical jargon swam before
Nora couldn't sleep that night. She kept turning in bed, feeling anxious. Each time she called Alexander, he didn't pick up, making her worry even more. Why did he take their daughter to the hospital without telling her?Graycen's innocent words, "Dad took me to the hospital," kept replaying in her mind, making her angrier. She imagined scary scenes of needles and hospital rooms, making her more upset.Underneath her anger, a deeper fear crept in. What if something was seriously wrong with Graycen, and Alexander wasn't telling her? This thought scared her even more, and the quietness in her house made everything heavier.Miles away, Alexander was in a hospital bed, surrounded by machines. He was in a deep sleep because of the medicines, and his body was undergoing a treatment Nora knew nothing about. The machines beeped softly, creating a contrast to the chaos in Nora's heart.As the night went on, Nora's face showed the pain she felt. The questions, fear, and silence became suffocati