Chapter 349

Over dinner, Maverick skillfully guided the topic toward Enigma's upcoming fashion line, the one subject that always lit a spark in Eleanor.

Watching his bright enthusiasm made her feel lighter,and the meal ended up being much more pleasant than she had expected.

But as the night grew late, Eleanor's mind wandered back to her parents in the hospital.

She ended the evening with a polite farewell to Maverick and headed straight to the Enigma store in Vladena to tie up some last-minute details.

Once that was settled, she wasted no time booking the first flight out.

Once the plane leveled off and the lights dimmed to a softer glow,Eleanor leaned back in her seat,hoping to sneak in a short nap.

But before she could drift off, the chatter of two women from the row behind her reached her ears.

"Did you see what's all over the headlines today? Nolan from the Stewart Group got engaged to his childhood sweetheart."

"Yeah, Elora Guyton,right? She's stunning."

"And that Eleanor? Looks like he just dumped her without a thought."

"That's how the rich play their games. She was probably just filling in the role until the real deal came along."

They had no idea the woman they were tearing apart was sitting right in front of them.

When she heard all that nonsense, Eleanor's fingers twitched slightly on her armrest.

Her mind flicked back to Maverick over dinner,when he had asked lightly, "Eleanor, aren't you upset?"

At the time, she had brushed it off as strange, but now the meaning was clear.

He had already seen the headlines. He was testing the waters, trying to see how she would react.

It seemed everyone else knew the story long before she did.

She, the very center of it all, had been left in the dark. A wry smile tugged at her lips, bitter but oddly freeing.

The uncertainty Nolan had left her with, the endless guessing, and the half-kept promises were gone now.

Painful as the truth was, at least it was solid.

Maybe this was the ending she needed.

Closing her eyes, she shut out their gossip, shut out her thoughts, and let herself drift in the quiet hum of the cabin.

Two hours later, the plane touched down at Elepdon Airport.

Eleanor didn't stop to rest. She left the airport,flagged a taxi, and told the driver to head straight for the Elepdon Hospital.

As she approached the ward, she caugt sight of a figure she knew all too well.

It was Nolan. His head was buried in his arms,his shoulders tense, as if the weight of the world was pressing him down.

He was still in the same bespoke suit from yesterday,but now it was wrinkled and messy, giving him a worn -out look.

Clearly, he had been waiting there for hours. Eleanor froze mid-step.

For a moment, her instinct was to turn around and disappear down another hallway.

She didn't have the energy for another confrontation.

But Nolan seemed to sense her presence. His head snapped up, and the moment his eyes found hers,they burned with fierce urgency.

He shot to his feet, closing the distance in seconds,and caught her wrist. "Eleanor."

Before she could react, Nolan pulled her into his arms.One hand cupped the back of her head, and then his mouth pressed against hers in a desperate kiss.

It wasn't gentle. It was wild, filled wth panic and urgency, as if kissing her was the only way to keep from drowning.

She tried to move, but his grip was firm, holding her in place.

Only when she struggled for air did he finally pull back.With his forehead resting against hers, his voice came rough and ragged. "None of it's true! The headlines twisted everything! That engagement... it was supposed to be for you!" His words spilled out in a rush, desperate and raw."I didn't betray you. I swear I didn't. Please... please believe me."

Eleanor didn't move, simply standing there,listening in silence.

The way he spoke, fierce and commanding even in desperation, was exactly like him.

And strangely, she did believe him.

But believing didn't erase the hurt. It didn't undo everything.

Eleanor gently placed her hand against his chest and pushed him back.

"Nolan," she said softly, "too much has happened.We both need time apart to think."

Her words hit him hard, and his face drained of color.

For a heartbeat, his grip on her hand tightened stubbornly, but when he noticed her flinch, he let go as if burned.

He stood there, lost, staring at her as though he didn't know how to move forward.

Finally, after a long silence, he forced out a single word."Okay."