Never love another

As Nolan finished his story, Vanya looked at him with a deep sense of sympathy. She could see the pain and sadness still etched on his face, and her heart went out to him.

Without warning, Vanya reached out and hugged Nolan tightly. He was taken aback by the sudden gesture, but he didn't pull away. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as they sat there in silence.

As they hugged, Vanya felt a little hopeful. She had been drawn to Nolan from the moment they met, and now she felt like she was starting to understand him. She realized that his gruff exterior was just a cover for the pain and vulnerability he felt inside.

As they pulled back from the hug, Vanya looked at Nolan with a curious expression. "Can I ask you something?" she said, her voice soft.

Nolan nodded, his eyes locked on hers. "Of course," he said. "What is it?"

Vanya took a deep breath before speaking. "Can you ever love anyone after Kaylee?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Nolan's expression changed, and he looked away, his eyes clouding over. For a moment, Vanya thought she had overstepped, but then Nolan spoke.

"No," he said, his voice low and even. "I loved Kaylee, and that's why I never wanted to agree to the arranged marriage in the first place. I didn't want to pretend to love someone else when my heart still belonged to her."

Vanya felt a pang of sadness as she listened to Nolan's words. She realized that he was still deeply in love with Kaylee, and that he might never be able to love anyone else.

As they sat there in silence, Vanya couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. She had been hoping that Nolan might be able to see her as more than just a friend, but now she realized that his heart belonged to someone else.

Vanya looked at Nolan with a somber expression. She didn't say anything, but instead, she just nodded slowly.

Nolan looked at her, his eyes searching for a response. But Vanya just looked away, her eyes clouding over with sadness.

"Nolan, I think we should head back home," she said finally, her voice soft and gentle.

Nolan nodded, his expression understanding. "Yeah, okay," he said. "I'm sorry, Vanya. I didn't mean to dump all this on you."

Vanya shook her head, her eyes still clouded with sadness. "It's okay, Nolan," she said. "I'm just glad you felt comfortable enough to share this with me."

As they stood up to leave, Nolan looked at Vanya with a curious expression. "You're not going to try to fix me, are you?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of sarcasm.

Vanya looked at him, her expression somber. "No, Nolan," she said. "I'm not going to try to fix you. I just want to be here for you, as a friend."

Nolan nodded, his expression understanding. "Thanks, Vanya," he said. "That means a lot to me."

As they went back to the hotel, Vanya couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness. She had been hoping that Nolan might be able to see her as more than just a friend, but now she realized that his heart belonged to someone else.

But as she looked at Nolan, she saw the pain and sadness in his eyes, and her heart went out to him. She knew that she couldn't change his past or heal his wounds, but she could be there for him, as a friend.

As they arrived back at the estate, Vanya and Nolan could see the lights still on in the windows, despite the late hour. They exchanged a glance, and Vanya shrugged.

"I guess we're a bit later than expected," she said, smiling wryly.

Nolan nodded, his expression neutral. "Yeah, I guess we lost track of time."

As they pulled up to the entrance, Catherine, Nolan's stepmother, emerged from the doorway, a look of surprise on her face. Vanya smiled warmly and hugged her.

"Hi, Mom! We're sorry we're so late. We got held up."

Catherine smiled and hugged Vanya back. "It's okay, sweetie. I was just watching a film in the living room. I'm glad you're home safe."

Nolan, on the other hand, was more reserved. "Hello, Mrs. Carter," he said, his voice polite but distant.

Catherine's expression faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "Hello, Nolan. It's good to see you. I trust you had a good time with Vanya?"

Nolan nodded, his expression neutral. "Yes, it was fine. Thank you."

As they stood there, Dave, Nolan's assistant, appeared with their luggage. "Shall I take this up to your rooms, sir?" he asked.

Nolan nodded. "Yes, please. Thank you, Dave."

As Dave headed up the stairs with the luggage, Vanya turned to Catherine. "I'm going to head up to bed, Mom. I'm exhausted."

Catherine nodded, smiling. "Okay, sweetie. Get some rest. I'll see you in the morning."

As Vanya headed up the stairs, Nolan turned to Catherine. "I'll be going up to my room now, Mrs. Carter. Goodnight."

Catherine's expression was warm, but Nolan's tone was cool and distant. "Goodnight, Nolan. Take care."

As Nolan wheeled himself up the stairs, Catherine watched him go, a mixture of concern and sadness on her face. She knew that Nolan didn't like her, and it hurt her. But she was determined to try and win him over, for Vanya's sake as much as her own.

...

As Vanya emerged from the bathroom, her hair was still clingy and wet, framing her face with a soft, dewy glow. Nolan watched her, his eyes drawn to the gentle curve of her neck, the delicate droplets of water that clung to her skin.

Without a word, he wheeled himself over to her, his movements smooth and effortless. "Sit down," he said, his voice low and gentle, as he gestured to a nearby chair.

Vanya obeyed, her eyes never leaving his face as he began to gently dry her hair with a soft towel. The touch sent shivers down her spine, and she felt a flutter in her chest as Nolan's fingers brushed against her skin.

As he worked, Nolan teased her gently, his voice low and playful. "You know, you're really quite helpless, aren't you?" he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

Vanya laughed, her cheeks flushing with pleasure. "Hey, I'm not that helpless," she protested, her voice light and playful.

But as Nolan finished drying her hair and leaned back in his chair, Vanya's expression turned serious. She watched as he effortlessly maneuvered himself onto the bed, his movements smooth and practiced.

But as he settled in, Vanya didn't follow. Instead, she stood up, her eyes fixed on the wardrobe. Nolan frowned, his eyes narrowing in confusion.

"Vanya, what are you doing?" he asked, his voice low and curious.

Vanya didn't answer. Instead, she pulled out a spare bed sheet and pillows, her movements quick and efficient. Nolan's frown deepened as he realized what she was doing.

"Vanya, don't be ridiculous," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "You can sleep on the bed with me. It's big enough for both of us."

But Vanya shook her head, her expression firm. "I don't feel comfortable sleeping on the same bed as a man I don't love," she said, her voice soft but resolute.

Nolan's face fell, his eyes clouding over with disappointment. "But Vanya, we're friends," he protested. "It's not like that."

Vanya looked at him, her eyes gentle but firm. "Friends don't sleep on the same bed, Nolan," she said. "At least, not friends like us."

With that, she turned and lay down on the couch, her movements quick and efficient. Nolan watched her, his eyes narrowing in frustration. He didn't like being told what to do, especially not by Vanya.

But as he looked at her, lying on the couch with a determined expression on her face, he realized that he wasn't going to win this argument. Not tonight, at least.

With a sigh, Nolan lay back on the bed, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. He knew that he had to respect Vanya's boundaries, even if he didn't agree with them.