The simple gesture of receiving candy brought Susanna immense joy. “See what I got!” Sporting light blue pajamas, Sean emerged from the room and saw Norah slipping candy into Susanna’s hand. He couldn’t help but chuckle.
At home, Sean appeared less stern and more tender. Norah found herself stealing a few more glances at him. Sean looked even more handsome in this relaxed state.
Recalling her dream from last night, Norah blushed and focused on her work, lowering her head.
Perhaps influenced by their interaction the previous evening and the soothing bath, Norah drifted into a dream where Sean showed up. Remembering his teasing words and actions in her dream made Norah’s cheeks warm. After enjoying the candy, Susanna’s eyes twinkled with delight.
“Supernatural Doctor, why are your ears so red?” Susanna asked.
At this, Sean looked over and noticed the blush spreading to Norah’s ears.
“Feeling a bit warm?” Susanna teased.
Norah hesitated to speak the truth. She could already feel Sean’s scrutiny.
“I’m okay,” she said instead.
Sean, casting a thoughtful glance at Norah, settled at the living room table, refocused on his work, and began typing swiftly.
The flush on Norah’s face eventually faded. She admitted that Sean was the finest man she had encountered in terms of family background, skills, and looks. Somehow, she recalled Joanna’s question: “Norah, have you ever considered pursuing one of them?”
But her previous marriage to Derek had dulled Norah’s interest in romantic pursuits, at least for now. If it weren’t for that, she might have eagerly sought Sean’s affection.
What would life be like with someone as remarkable as him?
Norah snapped out of her thoughts, realizing she had been overthinking.
She packed up her things and bid farewell.
Susanna quickly stood up and urged, “Supernatural Doctor, don’t rush off. Stay for a bit longer!” The table was already set for lunch.
Sean looked up, inviting, “Supernatural Doctor, do join us.”
Yet, Norah politely declined. “I’ve made prior commitments, so I must go.”
“Phillip, could you drive back?”
Susanna turned to Sean, hoping he could persuade Norah to stay. She wanted Supernatural Doctor to be treated as she deserved. Norah had come here to treat her, and Susanna felt she should show her appreciation by ensuring she stayed a little longer.
Norah was just making an excuse.
She raised her eyes to meet Sean’s. The warmth in Sean’s gaze turned icy suddenly when he learned that Norah planned to leave so quickly.
Susanna shivered slightly due to the sudden cold aura emanating from Sean.
“Supernatural Doctor, if it’s uncomfortable for you to have lunch here, Sean can arrange lunch for you at Solo Mio Restaurant instead. Allow us to treat you,” Susanna urged, hoping to convince Norah not to leave on an empty stomach.
Sean, with a tone of detachment, suggested, “Supernatural Doctor, please give it some thought.”
Feeling trapped by their persistence, Norah realized she had little choice. It was just lunch, yet declining seemed impossible. “Okay then. I’ll have lunch at Solo Mio Restaurant.”
Susanna’s emotions were mixed as she turned to Sean and said, “Sean, you heard Supernatural Doctor.”
Once Norah had left with Phillip, Susanna felt a deep loneliness. She found herself idly twirling her fingers on the couch.
“Sean, does Supernatural Doctor not like me? I talked to her several times today, but she seldom responded. And she didn’t stay to dine with us. Am I that bothersome?”
Sean comforted Susanna by patting her head and said, “Perhaps she just didn’t hear you. Who wouldn’t like you?”
Susanna brightened a bit after Sean’s reassurance. “Sean, there are some rumors about Norah I’ve come across that I think she should know about.”
Sean’s gaze hardened. “What rumors?”
Inside the Carter Manor’s study, Juliana lashed out with her crutch at Derek, who knelt before her. She accused him furiously, “Do you think I’m oblivious? Why did you pressure Norah into a divorce and then vanish on her? Now, it’s escalated to a court case. Are you trying to shame us?”
The crutch left red marks on his skin as he silently endured. Derek lifted his head, nibbling his lips in silence. Juliana was aging. Eventually, unable to hold on any longer, she retreated a few steps and settled into a chair.
“You’re grown up. You need to own up to your actions,” she said. “You and Madeline have been together for some time now, and Norah has let go of her feelings for you. Why not just finalize the divorce? Did Madeline say something to push you out?”
“No.” With his hands balled into fists and anger etched across his face, Derek spoke his first words since entering the study. “I made the choice myself.”
Juliana attempted to soothe her nerves with deep breaths. “Explain to me. Why would you do this?”
“Grandma,” Derek began, his voice heavy. “The person we thought she was… after she moved out of my place, she took up residence in Dreamview Villas. She’s living there all by herself. Not to mention, she is acquainted with Miss Andrews, Mr. Hayes, and Mr. Scott. Since the divorce, she hasn’t once returned to the Wilson family’s residence. There’s a lot about her that remains hidden from us.”
Juliana’s face was a portrait of disappointment. “Doubting her? Derek, have you considered this? Everyone has their secrets.”
While she was your wife, you were indifferent to her. Now that you’re about to divorce, you persist in not letting her be. She’s under no obligation to share anything with you since you’ve signed the divorce papers. Now that you’re strangers, it’s not your place to know. Derek, even if you can’t be together, you can still be friends. That’s my only wish.”
Images of Norah flickered in Derek’s mind. He shook his head and said firmly, “Grandma, I can’t stand betrayal. The fact that Norah is in such a hurry to find someone else is something I cannot accept.”
Juliana’s finger quivered as she pointed at Derek. “You-” She was mad at Derek, since he had wrongly placed his affection on a gold-digger like Madeline, who loved wealth and power more than him. Norah was supposed to be the one he should have treasured from the very beginning.
Reflecting on Derek and Norah’s shared history, Juliana pondered whether the marriage she had insisted on was a mistake. The Carter family, she realized, was indebted to Norah.
Juliana issued a final command, “I cannot allow you to bring us shame. If you intend to be with Madeline, finalize the divorce formally and swiftly, or I will handle it on your behalf!”
In her youth, Juliana was known for her decisiveness and strength, qualities she retained into her elder years.
“All right. Get out of here!” she directed, gesturing toward the study door. “Don’t you dare come back until this is resolved. I have no desire to see you.”
The mere sight of Derek brought Norah to mind, reminding Juliana how remarkable Norah was. Derek exited with a bow, his eyes betraying no emotion. Following her vacation, Norah returned to her work.
As she arrived, she sensed a mischievous gaze upon her.
After slipping into her white coat and arriving at her office, Norah spotted a lavish bouquet of roses on her desk.
Norah furrowed her brows, puzzled about who might have sent her flowers.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.