Chapter 68

Chapter 68
Noreen had been about to bring it up herself, so when he mentioned it first, it was as if they were perfectly in sync.
They had barely left when Seth arrived at Myriad Atelier with Bianca in tow, just moments behind them.
The two cars passed each other at the entrance, barely missing one another.
Bianca was the first to recognize Dylan’s car. “That looks like Dylan’s ride,” she said, glancing out the window.
After a brief pause, she added, “Why is Noreen with him again? Those two have been spending a lot of time together lately. Is Secretary Gilmore skipping overtime just to meet up with Dylan?”
“No wonder she’s so eager to quit. Looks like she’s found herself a more promising branch to climb.” Bianca didn’t bother hiding the disdain in her voice.
Seth, on the other hand, kept his opinions to himself, making it clear he had little interest in Noreen’s affairs.
That left Bianca questioning whether she’d overanalyzed things at lunch.
Maybe Seth’s refusal to approve Noreen’s resignation was really just about the contract. After all, if he made an exception for her, it could set a precedent and make others who’d signed contracts start getting ideas.
Bianca tried on the very same dress that had first caught Noreen’s eye–the one Seth had personally called ahead to have reserved.
It made Bianca feel like Seth was really thoughtful–maybe even a little
smitten.
But after slipping the dress on, she found herself less than thrilled. “Seth, honestly, I think the white dress from the office is better. This one isn’t bad either, but…”
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Seth was scrolling through his phone but still managed to give her his full attention. “Then keep both. Wear whichever you like–or both, if you feel like changing in the middle. Whatever’s easiest for you.”
Bianca beamed. “Seth, you spoil me!”
Noreen and Dylan had just arrived at the restaurant when her phone began to ring.
It was Rosalind.
Noreen assumed something urgent had happened at the hospital and answered immediately.
But instead, Rosalind was simply asking why she hadn’t come to the hospital with Seth.
Noreen was dumbstruck.
Seriously, what was Seth’s deal? Why would he run to the hospital to see Follow current novels on.net
her mother?
Dinner plans officially ruined.
By the time Noreen rushed to the hospital, Seth was still there, sitting by Rosalind’s bedside with single–minded focus, peeling an apple for her.
He was so attentive that Rosalind was positively glowing, her face alight with happiness. Even her voice was bubbly as she greeted her daughter, “Noreen, you’re done with work? Seth said you had to stay late.”
Seth just had that way about him–he could make people feel cherished, special, like they truly mattered. It was so easy to get swept up in the warmth of it all.
But he was just as capable of slipping a knife between your ribs with a smile, leaving you to wonder if you’d imagined the pain.
Noreen had no idea what game Seth was playing, but in front of her mother, she had no choice but to play along and pretend everything was
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fine.
“Just had a little more work to finish up. Sorry I took so long,” she said, forcing a smile.
She turned to Seth. “You too–you could have at least told me you were coming to see my mom.”
Seth looked up at her, meeting her gaze with a deliberately casual air before replying, “When you’re busy handling things out there, it’s only right I take care of things at home.”
What was that supposed to mean? All this talk of inside and outside–he made it sound so convincing.
Maybe she was imagining things. Or maybe it was just the warm lighting in the room, but for a second, she thought there was a trace of gentleness in the way Seth looked at her.
“Two people have to support each other if they want to go the distance,” Rosalind said, her recent worries melting away in an instant.
“Oh, and Seth, Noreen mentioned you proposed. So, when are you two getting married? What kind of wedding will you have?”
Noreen’s heart nearly stopped.
She’d completely forgotten about that.