Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 331

To be precise, Seth had always kept an escape route open for himself—a way back to his first love, the woman he’d never quite let go.

Claire had once hit the nail on the head. “If he hasn’t married you after seven years, it’s because he never intended to.”

Seven years with nothing to show for it. Maybe fate was doing her a favor.

After polishing off her pudding, the little girl was called away by her mom. The warmth in Noreen’s expression faded, replaced by her usual cool reserve. Her tone was calm as she finally answered Healy’s earlier question.

“How many kids do you want?”

Absentmindedly, Noreen’s hand drifted to her flat stomach, her feelings tangled and complicated. Dr. Wynne had told her her chances of getting pregnant were slim—so slim, she might never get to be a mother at all.

“I don’t plan on having any.”

It just wasn’t in the cards for her.

Healy hadn’t expected to wait so long only to hear that.

He’d planned to match her answer, whatever it was. If she wanted two, he’d say two. Even if it was just to keep in sync, he wouldn’t have minded.

But after hearing her answer, he simply went with the flow. “Looks like we’re on the same page. I don’t want any either.”

Noreen couldn’t help but laugh, her earlier disappointment easing. “Well, I’m not sure that’s really up to you.”

Chase Naylor only had two kids—a son and a daughter. As the only heir, Healy had a family legacy to carry on; it wasn’t exactly up to him whether or not he’d have kids.

Healy grinned. “What, are they going to force me? It’s my life. I figure I still get a say.”

As soon as they reached the hotel, Noreen took Healy up to her room for the meeting.

Barely had they entered when Seth and Bianca stepped off the elevator onto the same floor. Bianca spotted them first, her surprise obvious. “Wow, things are moving fast,” she blurted. “They’re already staying together?”

She was so shocked, she didn’t notice the sudden chill in the man beside her.

Inside the room, Noreen and Healy spent the next hour on the call with Carman. In fact, Healy’s assistant had texted him half an hour ago that the room was ready, but Healy had deliberately stretched things out, just to have more time with Noreen.

Finally, when the meeting ended, Healy reluctantly stood to leave. “It’s late. You should get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow, and we’ll head back to Rivercrest City together.”

“Okay.”

Healy stepped out of Noreen’s room, heading for his own, when suddenly he was caught off guard by the soft, perfumed embrace of someone throwing themselves into his arms.