CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

The Fine Line Between Love and Obsession

Nicole's POV

Three years. That was how long Tyler Winslow had been pursuing her—steadfast, unwavering, and persistent.

Nicole had been sure that no man could shake her resolve, that no amount of charm or patience could breach the fortress she had built around herself. Yet, somewhere in those three years, a seed had taken root, one so subtle she hadn't noticed until it had begun to bloom.

She still didn't call it love. Love was dangerous. Love made people weak. But Tyler had become... important. His presence no longer irritated her as it once did, his persistence no longer felt like an inconvenience. She had grown accustomed to him, to their banter, to the sharp but playful exchanges that danced on the edge of rivalry and something more.

And that—more than anything—unsettled her.

Sitting in her office, Nicole drummed her fingers against the mahogany desk, her eyes fixed on the skyline outside. She would never admit it aloud, but a part of her had started to anticipate the moments Tyler would find his way into her space, whether through business or his personal mission to wear down her resistance.

But she wouldn't make it easy for him.

Not now. Not ever. Or so she thought.

Clara's POV

Clara Chem had never been a fool.

The night of the ball had shattered whatever illusions she had built over the years. Seeing Tyler so effortlessly shut down her advances had been humiliating. But the worst part? It had been the way he had looked at Nicole.

There had been something dangerous in his gaze, something possessive. Something she had once wished he would direct at her.

But Tyler had never been hers. She saw that now.

And yet, she refused to fade into irrelevance.

Clara's meeting with Andrew Bond had solidified one thing—she still had a chance to make an impact. If she couldn't have Tyler, she would ensure that Nicole wouldn't have him either.

She had fed Nicole a misleading trail about Andrew's betrayal, ensuring that if Nicole ever sought the truth, she would find only carefully orchestrated lies. Clara needed Nicole to hate Andrew, to see him as a threat. The last thing she needed was for Nicole to uncover the truth—that Andrew had betrayed her to protect her.

Because if Nicole ever found out, Clara would lose her last advantage.

Merissa Bond's Growing Presence in Nicole's life

Merissa Bond had arrived in Nicole's life like a storm—uninvited, unpredictable, and impossible to ignore.

Ever since Nicole had saved her from a purse thief, Merissa had shamelessly latched onto her. She claimed it was gratitude, but Nicole suspected it was more than that.

"Nicole, let's go shopping," Merissa had announced one afternoon, waltzing into her office as if she owned the place.

"I'm busy."

"No, you're avoiding fun," Merissa countered, dropping into the chair across from her. "Let's change that."

Nicole sighed. Arguing with Merissa was pointless.

Two hours later, she found herself inside an upscale boutique, glaring at her reflection.

"This is ridiculous," Nicole muttered, adjusting the red velvet gown Merissa had forced her into.

Merissa smirked. "Ridiculously hot, you mean. Tyler is going to lose his mind."

Nicole shot her a look. "I am not dressing for Tyler."

Merissa raised a brow. "Oh? Then why are you blushing?"

Nicole wasn't. She refused to be.

But the thought of Tyler seeing her in this dress lingered far too long in her mind.

Rachel's Guilt and Desperation

Rachel had been watching from the sidelines for three years.

Nicole still hadn't forgiven her.

It was a slow, agonizing punishment. Nicole hadn't cut her off completely, but their friendship had never recovered. Rachel had tried—tried to explain, tried to apologize—but Nicole had merely listened, then walked away, as if she were no more than an old acquaintance.

And now, Nicole had Merissa.

Rachel saw the way they interacted, the way Nicole allowed Merissa into her space, the way Merissa could make her smile when no one else could.

It should have been Rachel.

So she tried one last time.

"I know I hurt you," Rachel said, voice unsteady. "I know I broke your trust. But I never meant to lose you, Nicole. You're my best friend. Please... just tell me what I need to do to fix this."

Nicole studied her for a long moment, her expression unreadable.

"You can't," she said finally. Then she turned and walked away.

Rachel's heart cracked.

Nicole had forgiven many things. But betrayal was never one of them.

Unraveling the Past

Nicole had never been the type to let unanswered questions rest.

Clara had given her an explanation for Andrew's betrayal, but something didn't sit right.

So, with Emma's help, she began digging.

What she found... changed everything.

The betrayal had been real. The pain had been justified. But the why—that was the missing piece.

Andrew hadn't betrayed her out of greed or ambition. He had done it to protect her.

But protect her from what?

Nicole didn't know yet.

But she would find out.

And when she did, Andrew Bond would regret ever thinking he could deceive her.

A Battle of Matriarchs

Lunch with Eleanor Winslow and Victoria Melbourne was an event in itself.

Nicole sat across from the two women, both formidable in their own right.

"You've been spending a lot of time with Tyler," Eleanor noted, watching her carefully.

Nicole met her gaze evenly. "Not by choice."

Victoria smirked. "You say that now."

Nicole didn't rise to the bait. Instead, she sipped her wine and let them talk, let them plot.

They thought they were pushing her toward Tyler.

They had no idea she had already made up her mind.

One Year Later – The Unforgivable Mistake

The accident should have been hers.

That was the thought that haunted Nicole as she stood outside the hospital, her hands clenched at her sides.

The plan had been simple. Clara had orchestrated an accident meant for Nicole—an unfortunate "mishap" that would have been nothing more than a warning.

But Edward Melbourne had taken her place.

And now, Nicole's father was in critical condition.

Clara had made a fatal miscalculation.

Because if there was one thing Nicole would never forgive, it was a threat to her family.

She turned on her heel, eyes dark with promise.

Clara Chem had just made an enemy she wouldn't survive.