The Kiss that Sparked it All

Nolan’s tone was tinged with impatience, and as Regina listened, she couldn’t shake the feeling that he might be mocking her. Her confidence waned, and she no longer dared to speak.

Might as well chalk up all those thoughts to wild imagination, she figured. No need to ask any further.

“Any more questions?” Nolan prodded, sensing her hesitation. When she simply shook her head, he knew she was holding back.

“You look beat. I’ll grab you a bottle of water,” he offered, though he couldn’t fathom why she seemed so down. He had made it clear that there was nothing between him and Dahlia anymore. What was this woman fretting over?

The source of Regina’s sorrow was deeper, tied to the Tanners. She couldn’t sever her ties with the Tanner family, nor did she possess a straightforward identity to express her fondness for Nolan.

How she longed to return to the past, before their lives became entangled in a web of mutual interests.

Back then, she would have asked without hesitation. Now, she was no longer the candid journalist she once was, her confidence a distant memory.

Regina sat outside for a while before finally buying a bottle of water and heading back. As she returned, she caught sight of Nolan, who had also left his spot, only to resume his seat upon her arrival. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Where did you go to buy water? Did it have to take so long?” he asked.

“Oh, I saw a patch of grass over there and sat for a bit; sorry about that,” Regina e her smile filled with appeasement.

Nolan’s brow furrowed even more; he couldn’t understand what had happened during short absence to make her so timid.

He admitted that his initial agreement to the marriage was partly out of spite; he wanted her to understand the true nature of their relationship and to punish her. But it was only after Dahlia’s reminder that he realized his feelings for Regina were more than ordinary, something beyond friendship yet short of love.

“Nolan, maybe I should head back, I think Dahlia might not want to see me here when she gets out. Plus, there’s work at the office that needs my attention,” Regina said, eager to escape.

Nolan’s irritation grew at her retreat. “I forgot you are such a busy woman. If you don’t want to stay, then go. You make it seem like I’m forcing you to stick around.”

Yet, as he spoke, Regina’s resolve to leave waned. She didn’t want Nolan to think of her as irresponsible. Today’s events were connected to her, after all. Even if Dahlia had misunderstood, Regina needed to clear things up, to assert that she wasn’t the other woman.

“You said you were leaving; why are you still here?” Nolan challenged.

Regina flashed him a smile. “I thought it over, and the office stuff isn’t that urgent. Besides, my colleagues are there. And you know, it must be so boring for you here all by yourself. I could keep you company. At least we can chat.”

Nolan turned his head away, hiding a smile. Only Regina would come up with such a clumsy excuse. If she wanted to stay, she should’ve just said so.