Chapter 2

Bryce actually nodded, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. "That's more like it, Emily. Learn to be understanding. It suits you better." He took Jayden's hand, Kelli beaming at his side, and they walked away, a picture of domestic bliss.

I watched them go. I wasn't being understanding. I was being literal.

I found a small, smoky casino bar nearby to wait for Nolan. My phone buzzed with a news alert.

Breaking: Nolan Carter, CEO of NovaTech, Abruptly Leaves Multi-Billion Dollar Merger Signing in Tokyo.

My breath caught. NovaTech? Nolan?

I clicked the link. A video popped up. There he was, handsome, impeccably dressed, even in a candid shot, turning from a conference table, phone pressed to his ear. I could almost hear his voice, faint but distinct: "Whoever backs out is a rotten egg."

The video cut to a reporter interviewing a Japanese businessman, the other party in the merger. "Mr. Tanaka, Mr. Carter's sudden departure... do you consider this a sign of disrespect?"

The elderly man smiled, a surprisingly gentle expression. "I would say... love is a powerful force. We do not feel disrespected. In fact, we admire Mr. Carter's passion. This aligns with certain aspects of our own culture. We will await his return to finalize the agreement. This will not impact our partnership."

I lowered my phone, a wave of emotions washing over me. Ten years. Nolan had pursued me for ten years, always putting me first, his love a quiet, constant presence I'd taken for granted. I'd been so fixated on Bryce's superficial charm, so blind.

Now, the scales had fallen from my eyes. Bryce's grand pronouncements of love were empty air compared to Nolan's quiet, monumental gestures.

I opened my email, searching for Nolan's name. Years of messages. I'd always found them a bit much, overly sentimental. Now, reading them, I saw the raw, unwavering affection in every line. They weren't just emails; they were love letters. A pang of guilt hit me. How had he endured my indifference for so long?

I read through them, one by one, the hours slipping away.

Suddenly, a massive bouquet of white roses appeared in front of me.

I looked up, startled. Behind the flowers stood Nolan.

"Mrs. Carter, I presume?" he said, a wide, dazzling smile on his face. "Sorry for the delay."

The title made me blink. It felt... foreign, yet strangely right.

Nolan's smile wavered slightly at my silence. "You... you didn't change your mind, did you?"

I smiled back, a genuine smile this time. "Not a chance. I'm not a rotten egg."

We walked back to the Little White Chapel. It was almost closing time. The same slightly bored attendant from earlier did a double-take when she saw me with Nolan.

The ceremony was short, simple, and more meaningful than any elaborate wedding with Bryce could ever have been.

When Nolan slid a simple, elegant diamond band onto my finger, it felt like coming home.

"Our honeymoon suite awaits," Nolan said, his eyes twinkling, as we stepped out into the Vegas twilight. "I took the liberty of assuming you'd prefer Malibu to whatever Bryce had planned."

"Malibu sounds perfect," I said, my voice thick with emotion. The Malibu beach house was mine, a gift from my parents, my sanctuary. Bryce had always talked about how perfect it would be for our honeymoon. The thought now made my stomach churn.

"One small problem," Nolan said, as his driver opened the door to a sleek black town car. "I may have had to reroute my jet. It's currently on its way to Van Nuys from Tokyo. We might have to endure a commercial flight. First class, of course."

I laughed, a real, lighthearted laugh. "I think I can manage."

The flight was a blur of champagne and Nolan's easy conversation. He didn't press me about Bryce, didn't ask for details. He just... was there. Solid, dependable, and radiating a quiet confidence that soothed my frayed nerves.

It was late when we finally pulled up to my Malibu house. The lights were on. Strange. I always made sure everything was off when I left.

Nolan, ever perceptive, put a hand on my arm. "Stay here."

He got out and walked to the front door. It was slightly ajar.

My blood ran cold.