Chapter 56

If she ever found out the truth, she’d only end up worried sick.
So after her brief panic, Noreen glanced at Seth, silently hoping he’d catch her signal.
After all, they’d spent seven years practically joined at the hip–surely, he’d pick up on her cue.
Seth understood. With practiced patience, he turned to Rosalind and explained, “I just got back from a business trip. I came straight here before I could let her know.”
“Oh, is that so? Well, you’d better hurry home and get some rest. Business trips really take it out of you. Every time Noreen gets back from one, she looks like she’s lost ten pounds!”
“She works so hard.”
The words sounded more grating than sympathetic.
Still, Noreen had to admit–Seth was quite the actor. Handsome too. If he ever got tired of his day job, he could probably make it in showbiz.
Under Rosalind’s gentle prodding, Seth didn’t linger much longer before gathering his things to leave.
Noreen figured he was probably in a rush to see his real future mother–in–law.
Rosalind nudged her. “Go on, walk him out.”
“That’s not necessary. He knows the way,” Noreen muttered, making no
move to get up.
Rosalind shot her a sharp look. “Go. Now.”
“…Fine.” Noreen dragged herself to her feet, resigned.
Seth had the nerve to take her up on it too, waiting expectantly as though
there was nothing awkward about the whole thing.
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Chapter 56
She walked him to the elevator. Once she was sure Rosalind couldn’t overhear, Noreen’s polite smile vanished, her expression turning icy in an instant.
Seth didn’t miss a beat, catching the change in her face. He narrowed his eyes, voice edged with accusation. “You don’t seem very happy to see me.”
Noreen barely resisted rolling her eyes. At least he noticed.
Still, she had to admit–his sudden arrival had eased the pressure she’d been feeling. Rosalind’s questions were relentless, and Noreen was running out of lies.
“Mr. Harcourt, you’re joking, right?” she said, neither confirming nor denying.
Seth let it slide. “I’ve already spoken with the hospital. They’ll take good care of your mother.” Orıginal content can be found at.net
A flicker of sarcasm twisted Noreen’s lips. “My mother’s not here. There’s no need to keep up the act.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Seth’s brow furrowed, his tone growing
colder.
Noreen was done pretending. “Why keep playing dumb, Mr. Harcourt?”
“Say what you mean.”
He really was going to keep up the charade!
Well, she was done with it. Time to put all the cards on the table. “Fine. We should’ve had this talk a long time ago.”
She was tired–so tired of all of it.
It had been twenty–five days since she’d learned Seth’s heart belonged to someone else, each one dragging by in agony.
She was desperate for a way out.
Now, finally, the moment had come.
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She looked Seth straight in the eye, her voice clear and unwavering.
“Seth, let’s end this.”
The finality in her words was unmistakable–she wasn’t just talking about a breakup, but about cutting all ties, for good.
Once, she’d thrown herself into this relationship, risking everything, believing that sincerity would be enough.
But now, she realized that kind of faith was a luxury she couldn’t afford.
She’d run headlong into a wall for love–bled for it, even.
But not anymore. She’d run out of love to give. It was time to let go.
From now on, she’d just have to learn to love herself.
Seth stared at her coldly, as if trying to see through her.
Seven years ago, she’d believed love was all that mattered–brave,
idealistic, unwilling to measure gain or loss.
Seven years later, she finally understood: love might be the most useless thing in the world.
The warrior who once charged into battle for love had lost, utterly and completely.
She was exhausted and needed her freedom.
As Seth studied her, Noreen repeated herself, voice firmer than before.
“Seth. It’s over.”