Parting Under the Moonlit River

“So you plan to date Ryan?”

Nora frowned in disgust.

“And what does that have to do with you?”

Ethan’s lips curved in a sharp smile, as if mocking her words.

“It does. We already have a relationship.”

“One-night stands are as common as grabbing a meal,” Nora shot back. “You’re Ryan’s friend. Haven’t you ever lived abroad?”

That made Ethan pause, then he gave a low, derisive laugh.

“Didn’t expect you to be so open-minded, Miss Reynolds.”

Nora flushed inwardly but kept her face calm.

“That’s right.”

Her innocent look paired with her stubborn words was almost comical.

“If you change your mind,” Ethan said with a faint smirk, “you know where to find me.”

He pocketed the necklace and handed her his business card — black with gold trim, stark and elegant. The signature wasn’t printed but digitally hand-signed.

Nora watched him walk away, crushed the card in her palm until it was wrinkled beyond recognition, then threw it to the ground and ground it under her heel.

Who said she’d ever change her mind? This man was far too sure of himself!

Just as she turned to leave, she nearly collided with a hard chest.

The man’s torso was like iron — it hurt — and anger surged through her as she looked up, only to find herself face-to-face with Adrian Cole.

Before she could speak, his iron arms clamped around her wrists.

“Who was that man just now? You cheating on me?”

At his domineering tone, Nora yanked her hands free with force, her face flushing hot.

“We’re getting divorced. You agreed to it!”

Adrian’s face darkened.

“I never agreed.”

Nora nearly laughed out loud. She wanted to curse him for being shameless — but then, from behind him, Vivian Lane appeared, slowly approaching.

Nora’s lips curved in a cold smile as she deliberately provoked him.

“Oh, really? And what about Vivian? Don’t you plan to make her official?”

All she saw was Vivian’s sharp, unfriendly face, her gaze like a blade that could cut Nora to pieces.

The angrier Vivian looked, the more delighted Nora felt.

Adrian’s brow furrowed.

“This is between you and me. Leave Vivian out of it.”

“She’s not your precious first love? Now that nothing stands in your way, shouldn’t you be together?”

Her tone dripped with sarcasm, but Adrian was already consumed by anger, too far gone to hear.

“How many times do I have to say it? Vivian and I are innocent.”

“Oh? And does Vivian think the same?” Nora’s voice suddenly rose, her gaze shifting straight to Vivian.

“Stay out of it!” Adrian growled.

Vivian’s tone softened, as if they weren’t standing in a battlefield.

“Nora, what are you saying? When have I ever tried to steal Adrian from you? Are you misunderstanding just because I came with him to the Reynolds house today?”

Vivian’s face changed from fury to polite warmth in an instant — like sleight of hand.

Nora could almost admire her. To play the innocent so well required skill.

But she could never do it. She wasn’t thick-skinned enough. Which was why, in Adrian’s eyes, she always came off as unreasonable and immature compared to Vivian.

“Nora, Adrian’s busy enough. Stop making things harder for him,” Vivian said sweetly.

Nora let out a short laugh.

“He’s the one pestering me. If you’re free now that you’re divorced, Vivian, you’re welcome to take him off my hands.”

“Nora, that’s not what I—”

“Spare me whatever excuse you’re about to make,” Nora cut her off, turning to Adrian.

“I’m getting this divorce, and you’d better get it done quickly before you regret it.”

With that, she lifted her dress and left.

She was so furious that even the garden — usually her favorite place — couldn’t calm her down.

She locked herself in her room to get some peace, but the moment she thought of that pair of hypocrites, her mood sank all over again.

Ryan’s text came in close to eight.

“Nora, I brought you a gift. Are you still at the party?”