Chapter 82

Samuel remained silent, but his silence was a tacit admission.

A chill settled over Nora's heart. "Who is it?" Who could he possibly like? Someone better than her? Younger? More beautiful?

"That's none of your business."

"But your father wouldn't approve, right? If he did, you would've already told him," Nora stated confidently. She was known as the city's top socialite - unequaled in both status and beauty.

"Even if you have someone else in mind, I won't give up on you," Nora clenched her fist, a look of determination on her face. "I'm a doctor, my duty is to 'save lives', and that includes salvaging a hopeless romance!"

"I've made myself clear. Don't waste any more time." Samuel turned and walked away, his tall figure receding into a distant coldness.

"Are you alright?" Brenda asked, concern evident in her eyes as she gently rested a hand on Nora's shoulder.

Sigh, love may be unreasonable, but how could anyone not return Nora's feelings?

Although Brenda wasn't her biological mother, over the years, she had come to love Nora just as dearly as if she were her own.

Nora looked down, wiping away a tear and forcing a smile. "I'm fine."

"Maybe... it's best to let him go. If he can't appreciate what he's got, it's his loss. Someday, he'll regret it."

"Who is supposed to regret? I'm saying I want him to marry me." Nora's voice wavered, her eyes welling up yet holding a resolute gleam, "I'll only marry the man I love, no matter how tough it gets."

"Ah..."

...

A car pulled up in front of the Rhine Apartments.

"Thanks for dinner," Layla said with a laugh, but her mind was scattered, and her smile seemed a little distant.

"It's a shame you hardly ate, even after we ordered all that food." Nathan wasn't worried about the money; he just preferred the Layla who ate with gusto. Her light appetite signaled that she wasn't in a good mood.

She seemed distracted multiple times throughout the evening.

"Not feeling happy?"

"No, I'm fine."

"Fine? I don't buy it. But whatever the reason, I've got a magic touch for these things." Nathan placed his finger on her forehead. "Erase the bad memories."

Layla cracked a smile, but in the next second, she was wrapped in Nathan's arms.

Layla felt awkward. She wasn't used to such closeness with anyone other than her boyfriend, though she knew it was just an innocent hug.

"Buy one, get one free - memory erasure comes with a free hug," Nathan quipped, breathing in her subtle fragrance and hugging her a bit tighter.

He had his own ulterior motives. Now whenever he saw her, he couldn't help but want to hold her. It wasn't desire; it just felt right to embrace her.

Layla wiggled free, her face a mix of discomfort. To Nathan, she seemed a tad startled and shy. The blush on her cheeks was endearing.

Inspired, Nathan suggested, "Ever thought about trying a more mature style? I might like that."

"Forget it. Not my thing."

"True, maturity can't be faked. Should I wait a few years for you? That could be interesting, something new for me," Nathan said half-seriously, half-jokingly.

But Layla took it as a joke. She was used to Nathan's occasional irreverence; she wasn't particularly fond of it but she wasn't annoyed either, and she certainly wasn't taking it to heart.

"I'm tired. Gonna head up. Drive safe," she said, unfastening her seatbelt.

"Layla," Nathan caught her hand, "Is that how little you think of me?"

"Hmm?"

"I've got plenty of admirers, but it seems you're not at all taken with me."

Why should she feel anything special for him?

"You're my boss, someone I deeply respect."

Respect? Nathan wasn't too fond of that word - he felt like it created distance between them.

"But what if I weren't your boss? What if I were just a regular guy..."

"A guy?" Layla shook her head, "Haven't thought about it."

"Well, think about it now."

With a frown of resignation, Layla responded, "You're asking me on the spot, I can't conjure up anything. And besides, you are my boss..."

"So, you've never seen me as a man?" This was the first time someone could ignore Nathan's charm. Women were often throwing themselves at him, but she clearly didn't even consider him a man. He was caught between laughter and frustration, tinged with a touch of gloom.

Scratching her head, Layla hesitated, "Well... before this..."

"Forget about before. From now on, see me as a man."

"As a male boss, OK?"

"No, not OK."

Layla couldn't fathom where he was coming from. She didn't dare to entertain the thought that Nathan could be attracted to her-she didn't believe she was that alluring. It must simply be his pride. With a man like him, used to being adored, he probably felt entitled to every woman's affection.

Just like Samuel, full of himself, acting as if all the women on Earth revolved around him.

"I'll try," Layla replied diplomatically, knowing she couldn't get out of the car without agreeing.

"Alright."

"Goodnight." Layla stepped out of the car and had barely taken a few paces when she collided with a shadowy figure.

"Sorry." She stumbled backward a few steps as a wave of hostility washed over her. She looked up sharply.

Samuel was glaring at her, his face clouded with anger, "Who brought you home?"

Already fed up with him, Layla bristled at his tone, "What's it to you?" She snorted, marching past him.

"You afraid to admit it was Nathan?" Samuel pressed on.

"Why would I be afraid? There's just no need to tell you," Layla replied, her brows furrowed in irritation.

"What do you mean 'no need'?" He grabbed her, pinning her against the wall.

"Hey, let go. People will see..."

"You're afraid of being seen with me? But you're not afraid of getting cozy with Nathan?"

"Who's getting cozy? Stop making stuff up!" Layla twisted her wrist, desperately trying to break free.

"Making stuff up? I saw it with my own eyes. Do you think I'm blind?"

He had come back half an hour earlier, noticed she wasn't home, and decided to wait. He hadn't expected to catch her red-handed. Damn woman! Was she always in Nathan's arms, perhaps even more intimately?

"You..." Layla clenched her teeth, fuming, "What if I was in his arms? What's it to you?"

He was getting married soon!

He'd just set the date and still had the audacity to question her about another man?

Despicable man!

"It doesn't concern me?" Samuel scoffed bitterly, "You're carrying my child while getting intimate with another man - that doesn't concern me?"

"If you hadn't tricked me, would I be pregnant?" Layla shot back. He'd hurt her, and even worse, he'd hurt the child inside her!

"I never wanted this child, and I'm not going to."

"Say that one more time."

"I will not have it!" Layla emphasized each word, her anger surging to the point where fear became irrelevant.