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Chapter 18
Nina narrowed her eyes. “He’s a doctor. What kind of business would he have with you?”
Lysander didn’t look her way. “A lot has happened in the past three years. I don’t owe you an explanation.”
He leaned back, voice cool and distant. “Just tell me–are you going or not?”
His high–and–mighty tone rubbed her the wrong way; but she stayed quiet for a second. That final look Julian had given her before she disappeared suddenly replayed in her mind.
She reached out and slowly pulled the door shut. “Of course I’m going. Gotta say hi to an old flame, right?”
She wanted to ask what he meant by “last chance,” but one look at Lysander’s closed–off profile told her it’d be useless. So she turned
to the window instead, frustration bubbling in her chest. There was so much she didn’t know.
The car pulled into the hotel drive. As soon as they stepped inside, Nina spotted a woman standing by the entrance.
Samantha.
Nina froze mid–step.
Samantha walked toward them with a polished smile. “Mr. Clark. Sorry we didn’t meet you at the door.”
Before Nina could react, Samantha’s gaze shifted. “And this is…?”
“My assistant,” Lysander replied flatly, then added, “Hayden Monroe.”
That was the name of this body’s former owner.
Samantha offered her hand. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Monroe. I’m Julian’s fiancée. Samantha Brooks.”
Julian?
Nina stared at the bright smile on Samantha’s face. A dull ache settled in her chest.
Three years gone, and he still chose her.
She forced a polite smile and took Samantha’s hand. “Pleasure.‘
They exchanged pleasantries, then followed Samantha to a private suite.
The door opened, and the soft scent of sandalwood and citrus—the kind only luxury hotels used–washed over Nina.
Inside, only one man sat, his back facing them.
Even without seeing his face, she knew who it was.
Julian Ford.
He stood and turned.
She rarely saw him in a suit. He always said he hated the stiff collar, called ties nothing but a noose. Said they made him feel like he
couldn’t breathe.
She never got the chance to tell him he looked amazing in one.
Tall, clean–cut, unshakably composed–he looked like a sculpture chiseled from discipline and restraint. And that same cool composure was now wrapped around another woman.
Nina’s chest tightened.
Then her gaze dropped to his wrist.
He wore a sleek wristwatch now, but she caught the faintest glimpse of a scar beneath the band.
Her fingers curled into her palm.
That scar… it hadn’t faded.
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A flood of emotion crashed into her. Her lips parted to call his name—but stopped short.
He was engaged now.
No matter how badly she wanted to reach for him, she couldn’t disturb his new life.
So she followed Lysander to their seats and stayed quiet.
True to form, Julian and Lysander didn’t say much. Samantha carried most of the conversation about the partnership.
The project was a high–profile jewelry exhibition, and just before finalizing the contract, Samantha slid it across the table to Nina.
“Ms. Monroe, would you mind taking a final look?” she said sweetly.
Nina skimmed through the proposal. Everything was in order—except one thing.
“The pink diamond is certainly stunning,” she said carefully, “but a red diamond would elevate the collection. They’re rarer, and more impactful as a centerpiece. Necklaces are eye–catching, sure–but imagine this one set into a ring. I think it’d make a stronger
statement.”
She hesitated. That wasn’t really her place- after all, they were the client, and she was just the hired help. Her opinion wasn’t exactly invited.
Just as she opened her mouth to apologize, she felt a chill crawl up her spine.
She looked up.
Julian was staring straight at her.
His eyes were unreadable, his voice even calmer than before.
“Noted.”
Nina exhaled slowly, heart still pounding.
She was about to slide the contract back to Lysander when Julian spoke again.
“For this exhibit, we’ll need someone from the team to oversee the process. Liaise with designers, vendors, logistics…”
Nina’s instincts flared.
She didn’t know why, but something told her—Julian’s eyes landed on her.
“Let it be her.” His tone was final.
Chapter 18
