Chapter 27
In the attic of the Whitmore estate, Nora stood before a mountain of boxes–each one sealed with time, and
silence.
On the cover of each gift box was a date written in his familiar handwriting.
[March 10, 2011. Married Nora today. So happy. Bought her favorite plush doll. I’ll give it to her someday p>
[April 28, 2014. Nora’s birthday. Told her I was too busy with work to come home. Bought a minor planet and
named it after her. I’ll tell her someday p>
[May 23, 2016. Fifth wedding anniversary. Still didn’t make it home. Bought her a private island instead. I
want to retire there with her someday p>
Nora’s eyes grew blurry with tears.
So he had loved her… quietly, secretly, relentlessly.
She was in every letter of his imagined future. He had planned countless “somedays” for them–somedays
that never came.
But now, she loved someone else.
She stumbled forward–straight into a pair of familiar arms.
Dominic caught her and held her gently. “Don’t cry. Come to Bali with me–get some air p>
On a sunlit beach, the two of them leaned into each other, a picture of peace.
Dominic rested his hand on her stomach. “Nora… I actually met you when I was six p>
“At the time, Chase and I were still friends. We were climbing over a wall when I saw you for the first time. You were wearing a pink dress. You were so beautiful p>
“Nora, truth is–I saw you first p>
Nora curled into his arms, her tone soft as sunlight. “I believe you p>
“Then guess–when do you think I fell for you?” she teased.
Dominic playfully tapped her nose. “The day I confessed p>
Nora shook her head. “It was the first time I saw you–at the cold storage facility. I liked you the moment!
laid eyes on you p>
Dominic looked stunned. Nora continued, her voice full of emotion, “I was terrified. I even thought, if I couldn’t escape, I’d rather die right there. But then you showed up–like a savior p>
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“Dominic, I was so, so grateful to you. I love you, ” she said earnestly.
Dominic’s heart clenched at the memory–equal parts fear and relief. He wrapped his arms around her.
“Thank God I got there in time p>
“You always do, ” she whispered. “You always come through when I need you most p>
He was the first to notice her. The first to confess. But she was the first to fall in love.
After all the twists and turns, they had finally come full circle–this bright, beautiful future now belonged to
them.
Back home, they held their wedding.
As the Faulkner Group’s CEO, Dominic hosted a three–day banquet celebration.
Nora had been worried at first that Dominic’s parents might not accept her daughter. But she quickly realized
her worries were unfounded.
Dominic held her hand with his left, and Jamie’s with his right, going from table to table offering toasts. To
everyone he introduced them the same way: “My wife and my daughter p>
He treated Jamie as if she were his own flesh and blood. And seeing his attitude, the Faulkner elders
naturally followed suit. To love Nora was to love her daughter. The Faulkners held Jamie’s hand and
welcomed her as their own.
Only then did Nora’s heart truly settle.
She turned to look at the man beside her and smiled, warm and radiant. Her long–empty heart finally felt full.
During the toast to their parents, Nora’s father raised his glass, voice thick with emotion.
“Dominic, I watched you grow up. I know you’re a good man p>
“Our Nora’s had a hard life. But now, she’s lucky to have found you. Promise me you’ll take good care of
her p>
Dominic responded with sincerity, “You have my word. Nora is my everything. I’ll love her and take care of
her for the rest of my life p>
Nora, too, made her vow to the Faulkner elders. “I’ll be a good wife to Dominic. We’ll support each other and
build a happy home together p>
The wedding ended in perfection.
That night, the couple walked home, hand in hand down the sycamore–lined avenue.
The streetlights cast long shadows behind them–just like the long road of life ahead.
The future stretched out before them–wide, bright, and theirs alone.
Chapter 18
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As for the people and the pain of the past–they would never let it touch them again.
This was the beginning of a beautiful life, one that belonged only to Dominic and Nora Langston.
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