Sally marched Jill and Naosa through the bustling evening streets with unmistakable purpose.
“You’ve cried enough for one day. Let’s fix that—bachelorette-party style!”
Jill hesitated. “Um… where exactly are we going?”
Sally flashed a mischievous grin. “Somewhere that serves strong drinks and no regrets.”
The place turned out to be a nightclub filled with pounding music, flashing lights, and far too many sequins.
Naosa froze in the doorway, eyes wide, every muscle locking. The noise, the crowd, the way strangers brushed too close—it all sent her into a state of quiet panic.
Jill immediately wrapped a protective arm around her. “It’s okay. We’ll just stay near the bar, alright?”
But Naosa was trembling, overwhelmed by the chaos. “I… I can’t…” she whispered, her breath unsteady.
Before Jill could respond, a cheerful staff member approached with a wink.
“First night out, ladies? Who’s the bride-to-be?”
Sally, oblivious to Naosa’s distress, pointed enthusiastically. “Her!”
The staffer blinked, then frowned in concern. “Uh… is she alright?”
Moments later, the three of them were gently escorted outside by worried employees who clearly assumed Naosa was ill.
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Outside, Sally threw up her hands. “Hopeless!”
Jill was fanning Naosa’s pale face. “You’re the one who brought her in there! I thought we were going for cocktails, not a sensory assault!”
Sally sighed, her bravado crumbling. “Okay, okay—you’re right. I pushed too hard—my bad.”
She turned to Naosa, her tone softening. “Listen. Alex didn’t plan his night either. His friends dragged him into it, same as I did to you. But think back—did he look happy in that photo? Did he ever look at anyone the way he looks at you now?”
Naosa froze, realization dawning. Tears welled again—but they carried a gentler weight this time.
Jill brushed her hair from her face. “See? Maybe both of you just had the wrong night at the wrong time.”
Naosa sniffled. “I’ll apologize tomorrow. I just hope he’ll forgive me.”
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The final day of the seminar arrived with the anticipation of the keynote speaker from Wexley.
That morning, as Naosa walked toward the preparation area, a familiar voice called her name.
“Nao?”
She turned—and saw Corey.
For a brief moment, she faltered. Then she smiled softly. “Good morning, Corey. It’s been a long time.”
Relief eased across his features. “I never thought I’d run into you here.”
“I’m working as Dr. O’Neill’s assistant now,” she said with quiet pride.
“Impressive,” Corey replied sincerely. “He must be quite a mentor.”
Her face glowed. “He is. I’ve learned so much.”
Corey hesitated, then gestured toward a quieter corner. “Could we talk for a minute?”
As they moved aside, Alex—returning from another room—caught sight of them. His chest tightened. Without meaning to, he followed at a distance.
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Once alone, Corey spoke quietly. “I’ve carried the need to apologize for far too long.”
Naosa blinked, taken aback.
“After everything that happened with Dr. Merrick—when those rumors started—I should have defended you. I knew better, but I was afraid of what it would cost me. I was a coward. I’ve regretted it every day since.”
Naosa’s expression softened. “Corey… thank you. Truly. But that’s all in the past. You couldn’t have stopped them. None of us could.”
He shook his head, voice low but intense.
“No. I should have believed in you regardless of the consequences. I should’ve stood beside you, even if everything had crumbled around us. We should’ve faced it together. Instead, I pushed you away. I’ve lived with that regret every single day. I keep wishing I could return to that moment and make different choices—with you.”
Naosa’s eyes grew tender with understanding.
“Thank you, Corey. I’ve waited a long time to hear those words.”
Hope flickered across Corey’s face. “Then… would you consider giving me another chance?”
Hidden behind a pillar, Alex felt his heartbeat thunder in his chest.
It’s the dream, he thought. It’s happening again.
──────────
But then Naosa’s voice came—gentle, certain.
“I’m sorry, Corey. That’s not what I meant.
I’m with someone now—someone who stayed by my side during my darkest moments.
Someone who would protect me against any threat.
I love him with every fiber of my being, and I don’t believe that will ever change.”
He exhaled slowly, a sad smile tugging at his lips. “Then you’ve found your happiness.”
“I have,” she said simply.
He groaned with mock despair. “If only time travel were real—I’d go back and punch my past self.”
She laughed softly, and for a moment, peace settled between them.
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At that moment, Megan materialized like a storm cloud.
“Corey, I’ve been searching everywhere for you,” she announced.
Then her gaze fell on Naosa, and her tone sharpened like a blade.
“What are you doing to manipulate Corey now?”
Corey tried desperately to stop her. “Megan, that’s enough.”
But she shook him off and pressed forward, voice rising with accusation.
“Do you think people have forgotten what happened at Wexley? You caused chaos in that department—and nearly destroyed Dr. Merrick’s career! And now you’re targeting someone else?”
Naosa stood in dignified silence, absorbing each word without reaction.
Before Corey could speak again, a quiet, steady voice came from behind them.
“There you are, Nao. I’ve been looking for you.”
Naosa turned toward the sound, her heart catching with relief.
Alex stood just a few steps away, his expression calm—but his eyes, cold and bright, left no room for misinterpretation.
──────────
Megan froze, startled, then forced a brittle smile.
“Dr. O’Neill,” she said sweetly, “I feel compelled to warn you about her. She caused serious trouble at Wexley and was dismissed.
She has a habit of attaching herself to powerful men.
If you’re not careful, your career could end up the same way.”
Corey tried again to intervene, but Megan wrenched her arm free.
Alex took a single step forward, his tone like steel wrapped in silk.
“I need you to stop insulting her. Right now.”
Megan blinked, her confidence faltering. “I’m just offering you a warning. You can’t possibly—”
But Alex’s voice turned to ice.
“I know exactly who she is.
And I know who you are.
Insult her, and you insult me.”
For a long moment, no one moved.
Then Alex reached for Naosa’s hand and carefully slid the engagement ring back onto her finger.
“You forgot this again,” he said softly, a faint smile warming the edge of his voice.
Naosa looked up at him, her eyes shimmering.
Without another word, he drew her close and led her away—leaving Megan frozen where she stood.
──────────
As they walked away, the noise of the conference faded behind them.
Only the sound of their footsteps filled the quiet hallway.
Alex began humming softly under his breath.
“Love someone with all your heart and never change…” he murmured, the tune gentle and familiar.
Naosa glanced at him sideways. “I never specified who I was referring to.”
Alex’s grin was triumphant. “I know it was me.”
Tears shimmered in her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Alex. I behaved like a petulant child. I doubted you… And as Megan said, if you stay with me, your reputation—”
Alex pulled her into a quiet embrace. “My reputation’s been abysmal for years already.”
Naosa laughed through her tears. “I suppose that’s true.”
Then his expression softened, sincerity threading through his voice.
“If anything from my past has caused you pain, I’d gladly go back and pound my former self—but I can’t change history. All I can do is make this promise: I’m incapable of loving anyone but you. My heart belongs to you completely, and that will never change. So… please forgive me.”
Naosa nodded, smiling through her tears like sunlight after rain.
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Later that afternoon, Miguel returned to the preparation room.
Jill immediately pulled him aside and recounted the night before.
Miguel’s eyes widened, then he burst into laughter.
“The queen of innocence panicked at a nightclub? You’re kidding!”
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