Chapter 13
An awkward silence fell over the group.
“Mr. Graham, your private dining room is on the sixth floor” James led Travis, knowing the restaurant’s layout
well.
Though in pain, Travis maintained his CEO composure as he walked. Unless looking closely, no one would notice him fighting back stomach cramps.
As he strode through the grand lobby, sudden laughter caught his attention from the nearby lounge area.
Usually indifferent to others‘ celebrations, he was about to walk past when a familiar figure caught his eye.
The woman had her dark waves in an elegantly messy chignon, raising a glass of champagne in a toast with a striking man.
Around them, a group of professionals was cheering them on.
In the playful moment, some vanilla buttercream ended up on her face.
The man in glasses leaned forward, gesturing to the spot on her cheek
She found the frosting and dabbed it away with a linen napkin.
They shared a smile as the others teased them.
Travis didn’t remember crossing the marble floor to Nicole’s table, but when he spoke, his voice sounded foreign even to himself.
It was deep, cold, and filled with suppressed rage.
“Having fun after the divorce, aren’t you, Nicole?”
Though quiet, his words carried clearly across the designer furniture.
The man in dark framed glasses caught this detail with interest, his lips curling. “So, Dr. Spencer is divorced? Wouldn’t have guessed, given how young she is!”
Nicole hadn’t expected Travis to follow her here.
Seeing the celebratory atmosphere turn toxic with his arrival, she stood up. “Let’s talk somewhere else.”
“Gladly, that’s exactly what I want!” Travis followed her.
Alexander moved to join them. “I’ll come with you.”
Travis whirled around, his Armani suit pulling tight as he pointed angrily. “This is between me and Nicole. Stay out of it!”
Alexander shrugged and stepped forward instead of back. “Mr. Graham, you’re divorced now. To Nicole, you’re just as much an outsider as I am – and an unwelcome one af that.”
Seeing Alexander follow, Nicole spoke softly.
“This is between him and me. I don’t want you involved. Wait for me at the bar.”
“No, I’m coming with you,” Alexander insisted.
Even though Nicole and Travis were divorced, they had grown up together, shared so many years – could they
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Chapter 13
really cut ties so cleanly?
With this thought, Alexander quickened his pace to catch up.
But Travis didn’t want this third wheel around, turning again to shoo him away.
Not wanting to make a scene, Nicole convinced Alexander to leave, promising to take care of herself and call if anything happened. Only then did he reluctantly go.
Travis felt triumphant, but when they reached a deserted stairwell, Nicole’s face darkened. She showed him not warmth.
Arms crossed, she asked impatiently, “What do you want, Travis?”
Travis felt a surge of joy at finally getting to talk to Nicole alone.
But his happiness evaporated instantly when he heard her cold, hostile tone, and the pain in his stomach returned with force.
He clutched his abdomen, slowly doubling over, and mumbled, “Nicole, my stomach hurts.”
