Nine months too late: After divorce

Noticing something off in Valarie's tone, Nyla quickly asked, "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

"Let's talk when we meet. I'll come to your office around noon," Valarie replied.

"Okay," Nyla said.

After confirming the time and place, Valarie quickly hung up.

"Did something happen? You look tense," Damon asked with concern.

Nyla shook her head. "I'm not sure. Valarie wants to meet me at noon."

From Valarie's tone, it sounded like something serious was going on.. Damon's gaze turned serious as he studied Nyla's expression.

Lowering his voice, he asked, "Nyla, if I help the Weirs through this crisis, will you give me a chance for a fresh start? What do you think?"

Nyla bit her lip, feeling the urge to scold him for taking advantage of the situation.

However, she knew the Weirs' survival wasn't Damon's responsibility. She could leverage his feelings to get him to help, but that wouldn't be fair to him.

After spending time together recently, she realized she still had feelings for him, often catching her gaze drifting toward him.

Since she felt something for him, and there was nothing stopping them now, why not give each other a chance at a new beginning?

Nyla looked down and stayed silent. Her fingers subconsciously twisted in her lap, revealing her inner conflict.

Damon didn't rush her. Even if she declined this time, he knew there would be other opportunities.

It wasn't until they were nearly at Prospectus Technology that Nyla finally made up her mind. She turned to Damon. "Okay, I agree." Damon's grip on the documents tightened as he raised his eyes to meet hers, disbelief quickly transforming into pure joy. "Really?" Upon seeing the excitement in his gaze, Nyla's heart raced, and she nodded.

In the next moment, Damon pulled her into an embrace.

His fresh, pine scent enveloped her like a soft net, leaving her nowhere to escape.

But she didn't want to escape anymore.

After everything that had happened, it was time to confront her feelings.

Nyla felt Damon's breath quicken above her, his low voice echoing in her ear. "Nyla, this time, I won't let you feel sad or hurt anymore."

She buried her face against his chest, warmth rising within her. She instinctively wrapped her arms around his

waist.

Damon stiffened briefly, then relaxed, his grip on her tightening.

The driver in the front seat had raised the partition, giving them some privacy.

Even after they parked in the underground garage, Damon showed no signs of letting go.

Finally, Nyla couldn't help but say, "Damon, we're at the office. Let go of me."

"Just a little longer," he said.

His arms around her felt like an impenetrable fortress, leaving no chance for escape.

"I'll be late," Nyla muttered.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

"I'll cover your attendance bonus," Damon replied smoothly.

Nyla was speechless.

After a few more seconds, Damon finally released her, looking at her with a tenderness that felt almost overwhelming. "Nyla, can I kiss you?" he asked.

Nyla blushed. "Don't push it."

"Just a quick kiss," Damon insisted.

"I refuse." As she spoke, Nyla moved back, trying to open the car door to get out.

Before her hand reached the handle, Damon's hand covered hers, pulling her waist back.

"Damon- Mmph!" Nyla tried to protest.

Damon's lips met hers in a gentle kiss, treating her like the rarest of treasures.

A surge of electricity coursed through Nyla, leaving her weak and tingly. Her resistance faded as she melted in his

arms.

Knowing Nyla still had to work later, Damon released her.

Aside from a slight smudge of lipstick at the corners of her mouth, her outfit and makeup were still intact. Seeing the wet look in her eyes, Damon felt a tightening in his chest, his gaze darkening. "Let's get out of the car." He wasn't sure what he might do if they stayed like this much longer.

Nyla pulled a mirror from her bag, spotting the smudged lipstick. After touching up her lips, she shot Damon a glare. "Don't you dare touch me before work again!"

What she didn't realize was that her eyes held warmth. Not only did she lack any intimidation, but her expression seemed to draw him in even more.

He smiled. "So, after work, then?"

"That... depends on the situation," Nyla replied,

"And what kind of situation would be okay?" Damon pressed.

"I'm going to be late! I don't have time for your ridiculous questions!" Nyla whined, pushing him away as she got out of the car.

Without waiting for him, she hurried toward the elevator.

Damon's smile deepened while watching her retreat.

The morning flew by, and noon came quickly.

When Nyla arrived at the restaurant to meet Valarie, she immediately noticed her friend's red, swollen eyes.

"Valarie, what happened?" she asked, concerned.

Looking into Nyla's worried eyes, Valarie felt tears well up again. "Nyla, I'm so sorry. I used the money you gave me to help my dad with the company, but the Weir Group is in terrible shape now, and I've already lost your money... I might need a long time to pay you back."

She had assumed Nyla's money would last, but it had run out far quicker than expected. Knowing it was Nyla's hard-earned savings from the past five years only deepened her guilt.

"Did you want to see me just to tell me this?" Nyla asked.

"Yes. But don't worry! I'll find a way to pay you back, no matter what," Valarie promised.

Nyla let out a relieved sigh. "I thought something serious had happened. Money can always be earned back. You shouldn't worry too much about the company. Your dad's been in business for so long. He'll come up with more solutions than you realize." Valarie felt a mix of gratitude and guilt. "Thank you, Nyla.

"We're best friends-no need to be so formal," Nyla said with a wave of her hand.

She had considered mentioning Damon's plan to help the Weir Group, but she decided to hold off.

Damon hadn't acted on it yet, and if something went wrong, she didn't want to give Valarie false hope.

As Valarie said goodbye, she bit her lip, making a decision-she was going to marry Zayn.

It wasn't the ideal choice, but she saw no other option.