NORA'S POV

Her question hung in the air. Where was I going to go?

Genevieve stood by the window, her back to me. She turned around with a soft smile. “What’s the plan, Nora?”

I sighed. “Honestly? I’ve been thinking about what I used to love before... before Sam, before this life. Remember how I used to paint?”

Her eyes lit up. “Of course! You doodled everywhere, even on my notebooks!” She laughed, and we both smiled at the memory. "Don’t tell me you’ve started painting again?"

I nodded. “Yeah. It’s been keeping me sane. Actually, I applied to an art company abroad.”

Genevieve’s eyes widened. “Nora! That’s amazing! Where? When?”

“Paris. I got the offer a few weeks ago,” I said quietly.

Gen hugged me happily shouting for glee that I couldn’t help but laugh too.

“You’re going to crush me Gen”, I shouted, laughing hard, forgetting I had been sad few minutes ago.

“Paris! Tell me everything.”

Just as I was about to respond, a wave of dizziness hit me. The room spun, and I clutched the edge of the bed.

“Nora? What’s wrong?” Genevieve’s voice was full of concern.

“I don’t know... I’ve just been feeling off,” I admitted, rubbing my temple.

“You’ve been pale for days. Let’s go see my family’s doctor. He’ll know what to do,” she insisted.

“Your family’s doctor?” I frowned. Sam had never once mentioned taking me to see him. In fact, I always went to public hospitals like everyone else. Sam never thought I should be part of that world, I realized bitterly.

We arrived at the clinic, and Genevieve insisted she was going to wait outside. “Look, I already called him, he knows you're coming. You’ll get better answers if you go in alone.”

I stepped into the consultation room, feeling a knot of tension in my stomach. The nurse told me to feel comfortable that the doctor would soon be with me. I was expecting an elderly man but when the door opened, my breath caught in my throat.

It was Daniel.

My high school crush. My stomach fluttered. I hadn’t seen him in years. He looked different—better, somehow. His dark hair was longer, brushing the collar of his white coat, and his deep brown eyes, the same ones I used to dream about in high school, were warm and kind. He was taller, broader, with a confidence that made him seem both commanding and approachable. His sharp jawline and the way his lips curled into a soft smile stirred something deep inside me. He was effortlessly handsome, the kind of man who could make you feel seen just by looking at you.

“Nora?” His voice was soft, rich, and filled with surprise. “Wow, it’s been a long time.”

I managed a nervous smile. “Daniel... I didn’t know you were the Bennetts’ family doctor.”

He chuckled, a low, comforting sound that made my stomach flutter. “Yeah, small world, huh? It's really nice to see you again.”

He paused and stammered. “You look…you look even more beautiful than ever”, he said, his voice tight. I smiled softly but said nothing.

He then drew a chair and sat on it, moving close to me. “Let’s…uh…let's see what’s going on.”

He was so close to me that if I wanted to reach out and touch his hair, I could have.

“So,” he said, leaning forward slightly, his eyes locked on mine, “tell me what’s been happening.”

Distracted by his beautiful eyes, I stuttered as I explained how I’d been feeling dizzy, and he listened intently, nodding, his gaze never wavering from mine. There was something calming about the way he focused on me, like nothing else in the world mattered in that moment.

After a few more questions, Daniel’s expression turned serious. “Nora, when was your last period?”

I blinked, caught off guard. “I’m not sure... I’ve been so stressed I didn’t notice.”

He paused, his brows furrowing slightly. “I think we should run a pregnancy test. Just to rule it out.”

Pregnancy.

The word hit me like a tidal wave. Could I really be pregnant? Now, of all times? I nodded, too shocked to speak. I watched mechanically as Daniel drew my blood into a vial.

He left the room to run the test, leaving me alone with my racing thoughts. What would I do if I was pregnant? Could I handle it? And Sam—how would he react? Did I even want him to know?

When Daniel returned, his expression was soft, but serious. He sat down next to me, close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from him.

“Nora... the test came back positive.”

I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth. I was pregnant. My chest tightened as a mix of emotions flooded through me—fear, confusion, disbelief.

Daniel reached out and gently touched my arm, his thumb brushing my skin in a way that sent a shiver through me. His touch was tender, grounding. “I know this is a lot to take in,” he said softly. “But you’re not alone. I’m here for you, whatever you need. I'll prescribe some drugs for you…”

We conversed for a while after that like old friends.

“So,” Daniel said after a pause, a small smile playing on his lips, “Paris, huh?”

I nodded, my heart still pounding. “Yeah. I need to focus on my career. I’m not ready for... anything else.”

His smile didn’t fade. “That’s okay. I get it. Actually, I’m going to Paris too. I’ve been accepted into a medical fellowship there.”

My eyes widened. “Wait, you’re going to Paris?”

He chuckled. “Yeah. Looks like we might be seeing a lot of each other.”

Something in my chest fluttered at the thought, but I quickly pushed it down. This wasn’t the time to get swept up in feelings. Not with everything going on.

Just as I was starting to relax, something clicked in my mind, and my heart sank.

Daniel was Sam’s family doctor.

My eyes widened in panic, and I grabbed his arm. “Daniel… Can Sam not know about this?”

I didn’t want Sam involved. Not now, not ever. He couldn’t be part of this new chapter in my life. I needed to protect my baby, protect myself. I couldn’t let him know. I didn't need the complication a baby would bring. We were divorced and I need it to stay that way. I was done with Sam.

Before Daniel could respond, my phone rang. The name on the screen made my heart stop.

It was Sam.

SAM’S POV

I stared at the divorce papers in front of me, the black ink practically screaming off the page. Final Decree of Divorce. My heart pounded in my chest, but I didn’t let it show. Lily stood by my desk, shifting her weight nervously as if she didn’t want to be the one delivering the news.

“Mr. Bennett,” she said gently. “Your wife... um, Ms. Bennett, had these sent over this morning.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced a nod. “Thanks, Lily.”

She hovered by the door, uncertain, like she wanted to say more.

“If there’s anything I can—”

“There’s nothing,” I cut her off, harsher than I intended. Lily flinched, and I immediately regretted it.

She gave me a tight smile. “Understood. Just let me know if you need anything.”

I nodded again, already tuning her out. Once she left the room, I leaned back in my chair and let out a long, shaky breath. The papers were still there—staring back at me, cold and final. This is what she wanted, I reminded myself. She had made up her mind, and I… I just let her.

I picked up the pen, gripping it so hard my knuckles turned white, and signed the papers without hesitation. Maybe if I did it quickly, the pain would follow just as fast. But it didn’t. All I felt was emptiness.

I left the office and went home and parked the car in front of my building and sat there, gripping the steering wheel. My chest felt tight, and it was getting harder to breathe. I hadn’t fought for us. I had let her go without even trying. What kind of man does that? Was what Isabella had told me enough to shut her out so cruelly? Why did I even believe Isabella? But I knew why. I swallowed.

What kind of husband lets his wife walk away?

I closed my eyes, trying to block out the ache in my chest. But the silence only made it worse.

Later that evening, I dropped onto the couch and grabbed my phone. I needed to get out of my own head, so I mindlessly scrolled through Pictory. That’s when I saw it—the post that made my blood run cold.

Isabella.

She was smiling, her arm looped through mine in the photo from the gala, leaning into me like we were a couple. The caption read:

“New chapter ahead! So excited for what’s next! #togetheragain #partnership #grateful”

My jaw clenched. The comments were worse—people congratulating us, some even speculating that I’d proposed to her.

My chest tightened with frustration. Why would she post something like this?

I hit call before I could stop myself. Isabella answered on the second ring, her voice smooth and warm, like she knew exactly what she was doing.

“Sam! I didn’t expect to hear from you tonight,” she said, sounding far too pleased.

“What the hell was that post about?” I snapped. “You made it look like we’re… together.”

She let out a soft, condescending laugh. “Oh, come on, Sam. Don’t overthink it. It’s just a post. We looked good together, and people love a happy story.”

“This isn’t a story, Isabella,” I bit out. “People are congratulating us—like we’re engaged or something.”

“So what if they are?” she said breezily. “Let them think what they want. It’s good for your image, Sam. You know how people are—they love to speculate. This keeps things... tidy.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling the beginnings of a headache. “You don’t get it. This isn’t what I want.”

Her voice shifted—softer now, almost sad. “What do you want, Sam? Because it sure as hell isn’t Nora. She’s the one who left you, remember?”

I flinched at her words, guilt twisting in my gut.

“She didn’t leave me,” I muttered, more to myself than to Isabella. “I let her go.”

Isabella went quiet for a moment, then her voice softened again, slipping into that soothing tone she always used when she wanted to get close. “Sam, you’ve done everything you could. Some things just aren’t meant to be, and it’s time to accept that. You have to move forward.”

Her words slithered through the cracks in my resolve, wrapping around me like a lifeline. She always knew exactly what to say to make me doubt myself—doubt Nora. That was why I kept her close. She made things... easier.

But easy wasn’t what I wanted anymore.

I sighed heavily. “I have to go.”

“Sam—”

I ended the call before she could say anything else, tossing the phone onto the couch like it burned my hand. My mind was spinning, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

Why wasn't she home yet? I walked into the bedroom and observed her closet; she had dressed up before leaving. I pondered on this and went back downstairs. In the kitchen, there were two mugs in the sink. Someone had been here with Nora. I lifted one of the mugs. On the rim was the imprint of a bright red lipstick. Gen.

I walked to the basement and saw several boxes scattered on the floor. Nora was packing and Gen had been here to help her. I wanted to be furious at her but I remembered that Gen and Nora were more like siblings than friends. Nora had always been family.

It was then the thought hit me suddenly, sharp and clear—I couldn’t let this be the end. Not without trying. Not without telling her how I felt, even if it was too late.

I grabbed my phone again, my hands trembling slightly.

I didn’t know what I was going to say. I just knew I had to say something.

Before I could lose my nerve, I hit call.

The line rang once. Twice. My heart raced with every second that passed.

And then—

“Nora?”

I swallowed hard, my throat tight. “Nora… I—”

Before I could get the words out, I heard it—another voice in the background. A man’s voice.

“Everything okay, Nora?”

My chest tightened as jealousy flared, sharp and unforgiving.

“Nora, who’s with you?” I demanded, my voice low and rough.

She hesitated for a moment, and that hesitation felt like a knife twisting in my chest.

“It’s not important, Sam,” she said quietly, and then—

The line went dead.