Chapter 4

Ray was wearing a preppy white shirt, looking so fresh and youthful that it was like a flashback to our high school days.

But even though he knew I loved white, he always showed up in black suits and shirts around me, as if he was attending a funeral for his lost love.

I didn't want to stick around for another second.

"Ray, there's no need to bring up the past. We're both adults here, so if you've got something to say, spit it out," I said.

He clearly hadn't expected me to be so blunt. All that shyness and small talk that he was probably counting on? Gone.

He dropped the act and got straight to the point. "Norah, let me be honest with you. I've got a girlfriend, so marrying you is off the table.

"But when it comes to business, the Sanford and Olsen families could be perfect partners."

He explained, "You know how tough things are in real estate this year. I want you to talk your dad into investing in the Sanford family's guaranteed completion project.

"If you do, I'll make sure you get a hefty cut of the shares, just for yourself."

So that was what this was really about. He just wanted my dad's money.

I laughed. "My dad might be loaded, but he's no fool. We're not close at all. Why would we buy into your family's risky business?"

Ray choked for a second, totally thrown by how blunt I was.

After a long pause, he looked like he was offering himself up as a bargaining chip. "If it makes you feel better, we could get married first and sign a prenup."

"So what about your girlfriend?" I asked.

"Louisa's sweet and understanding. She'll get it," he said.

"So what, we put on a show at home and do whatever we want outside?" I shot back, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Ray, you really know how to play the game."

Ray's face darkened. "Isn't this what you want, too? Otherwise, why did you play that love song for me seven years ago?"

The letter on the table felt like a slap in the face.

I muttered, "How did that letter from the school radio station end up with you?"

Ray's expression softened. "Back in senior year, someone from the radio station handed it to me. Sorry, I was away on our graduation trip, so my mom just tucked it away. I only found it recently."

Oh, that was it. I sneered, not buying it for a second.

He'd really gone out of his way to dig up my past, and even managed to fish that letter out from a pile of old junk. He must've put in some serious effort.

I picked up the letter from the table.

The handwriting was childish, the feelings embarrassingly shallow, and all just a cringey throwback to my awkward teenage years.

Next second, with a loud rip, I raised my hand and tore the letter clean in half.

"Norah, what are you doing?" Ray's eyes went wide in shock.

I just shrugged with a smile. "You've got it all wrong. I didn't write that letter. It was just a prank. One of my middle school friends put my name on it as a joke. That's it."

"No way," Ray said, disbelief all over his face.

"Why not? Back then, the middle school and high school were in totally different buildings, really far apart. I barely even knew you, let alone had any feelings for you," I replied.

Ray looked like I'd just slapped him, his eyes going ice cold.

"Norah, you're rejecting the Sanford family just because we're down on our luck. Typical rich girl arrogance, you've got plenty of that," he said.

So, that was how he had always seen me.

I didn't even bother denying it. "Yep, I only go for the rich and turn my nose up at the poor."

I shot him a look of pure contempt. "At least I'm not two-timing, wanting my cake and eating it too like some people."

Ray knew I was calling him out about Louisa.

He snapped back, "I'm not two-timing. I'm never leaving Louisa, and she's the only one I'll ever marry, no matter what."

"Love without money snaps faster than a strand of hair," I rolled my eyes. "You really think you can pull that off? Let's see how your folks take it."

He got even more irritated. "Don't worry about it. My folks can't control me."

I kept egging him on. "Yeah, everyone knows you're the star student. Louisa's a real sweetheart. Don't let her down.

"I'll just wish you two a lifetime together, happily ever after, and a bunch of kids."

"Relax, we'll be just fine!" he snapped.

Ray stood up, fuming, and stormed out of the café.

I gotta admit that my "blessing" was freakishly spot-on.

Just two weeks later, Louisa ended up pregnant.

The rumor about Louisa's pregnancy first leaked from an old classmate.

Apparently, Ray took her to the hospital, and someone spotted them right away.