âIâd rather put on a little show for my folks than have them heartbroken just to keep you happy,â he added.
Regina fired back immediately, âThatâs not what Iâm about, Nolan. Itâs not just about me being happy, you know. Lies beget lies and weave a web of deceit. Got through today, sure, but a lifetime of playing house? Really?â
Nolan just gave her a withering look that screamed, âAs long as it keeps my family smiling, why the heck not?â
âYouâre being unreasonable, Nolan. Lies canât just become truth. How long do you think we can keep this up? Nowâs the time to come clean, while we can still walk away without too much of a mess.â She said.
That was particularly true for Regina. She hadnât felt much warmth growing up so she was worried that sheâd harbor some improper expectations in Nolanâs loving family environment.
âI get what you mean, but donât forget the debt your family owes me. You said youâd pay it back, remember? Iâm just asking for a small favor here, and youâre making mountains out of molehills. Can I even count on you to repay me? Or should I just chalk it up as a loss?â Nolan said.
Regina swallowed her explanatory words no matter how aggravated she felt. She knew full well this mess was her fatherâs doing.
âFine, it was foolish of me to suggest such a stupid thing. Pretend you never heard it. If you have any demands in the future, just let me know. Iâll fix this,â Regina conceded.
Leaning against the car window, she looked so small despite wearing an oversized sweater.
Since they didnât end up living together, Nolan dropped her off at her old neighborhood, a secret kept from all.
After getting out of the car, Regina didnât leave right away. She watched as Nolanâs car vanished from sight, her heart heavy with mixed emotions.
She was uncertain whether she was making the right choice, but regaining her dignity in front of this man seemed the only way forward.
Nolanâs marriage had hit the front page of the Harris Groupâs official website early that morning.
The internet buzzed with surprise that such a young CEO had tied the knot so early in life.
And the identity of his wife was still a mystery, which sparked wild speculation.
âCould it be Dahlia? Werenât there photos of them leaked before?â
âItâs possible they were setting the stage for this marriage announcement!â
âCan the fans of some dancer please stop grasping at straws? If Mr. Harrisâs bride were her, weâd have had paparazzi shots at the marriage bureau plastered everywhere by now.â
This comment sparked a wave of mockery online.
After the Harris Groupâs legal team had acted so swiftly the last time, it was clear Nolan. wanted nothing to do with Dahlia. It was a mystery how she managed to have paparazzi catch them in a photo, but Nolanâs retaliation was swift and merciless-anyone leaking that photo was hit with a lawsuit.