The Road to Rebirth Her Fresh Start and His Late Sorrow

Cyrus glanced at the dirt Lucy had sent him about Baldrick, a glint flashing in his eyes. "Get ready," he said, determination threading through his voice. "I'm sending you abroad right away."

No matter if it was Baldrick, Judson, or even Michael, he would deal with each of them. He was certain he could take Nancy away from here, back to the home that was rightfully theirs.

Once they were back, there would be no one to interfere with their relationship. He and Nancy could finally return to the way things used to be.

"Cyrus is like a mad dog," Ramona huffed, her voice thick with disdain. "Lena, you were way too good to be involved with someone like that."

Nancy kept her expression calm, her voice steady. "That's all in the past."

"Exactly," Judson chimed in, gripping the steering wheel with a hint of pride in his voice. "Nancy's got me now; she wouldn't even look twice at Cyrus."

Ramona rolled her eyes. "Really, Mr. Green? Aren't we full of ourselves?"

Nancy gave Judson a sideways glance, a hint of exasperation in her eyes. What did he mean by "Nancy's got me"? Even without Judson, she and Cyrus were never going to be a thing.

As the car came to a smooth stop, Judson turned to Ramona, impatience evident in his voice. "We're at your place. You can get out now."noveldrama

He clearly wanted Ramona gone so he could have some private time with Nancy.

Ramona raised an eyebrow, shot Nancy a knowing look, and said, "I'll head in. You two should get some rest. Tomorrow's a big day for the fashion show."

Nancy understood the implication and smiled. "You rest well, too. We've got a lot ahead of us."

With everything set for the show, all that was left was to walk the runway.

Ramona chuckled softly. "You're right. See you tomorrow." She stepped out and closed the door.

Judson wasted no time starting the car again, eager to drive off before Ramona could interrupt their moment.

Left on the sidewalk, Ramona shook her head. Judson was really something. Honestly, after seeing Judson almost run down Cyrus earlier, she didn't doubt Cyrus had been serious in his threats. If Nancy hadn't intervened, Cyrus might have been roadkill by now.

Inside the car, silence settled in.

Judson glanced over at Nancy, clearly wanting to say something, but she cut him off with a cool, "Don't talk to me right now."

Judson, taken aback by her tone, asked, "Nancy, are you upset?"

Nancy stayed silent, her attention fixed on the scenery rushing by outside the window.

Judson, seeing her refusal to engage, felt a mix of frustration and hurt. "Nancy, you-"

He stopped when he caught her gaze-steady, cool, devoid of warmth.

Swallowing his words, Judson gripped the steering wheel tighter Was she mad because he almost hit Cyrus? Did she still have feelings for him?

The thought twisted in his gut. No, he couldn't allow that.

Soon, Judson pulled over, and Nancy was about to step out when she heard a click-the doors locked.

Her face fell as she turned to confront Judson, but before she could speak, he moved closer, crossing into her space.

Their faces inches apart, Judson's arms caged her in, bracing against the seat on either side. Their breaths mingled in the confined space.

Nancy instinctively leaned back, but the confines of the car offered no escape.

"Judson, back off and unlock the door," Nancy ordered, her brows furrowed, pushing against the man in front of her.

But the slightest push only brought him closer, his upper body pressing into hers.

Judson's arms wrapped tightly around her waist, pulling her into an unyielding embrace.

Nancy's heart raced, a mix of nerves

and something else she couldn't quite name. She could feel the firm muscles of his chest through the

thin

fabric of his shirt.

"Judson, what are you doing?" she demanded, trying to wriggle free, her pulse beating erratically.

Judson lifted his head from where it

had rested in the crook of her neck, tears unexpectedly welling in his eyes

Cand spilling over before he

could speak.