Not like most women

"what are you doing..."

As Vanya turned to leave, she was startled by Nolan's voice, and her feet flew out from under her. She landed with a soft thud on Nolan's lap, her hands grasping for something to hold onto.

Nolan's eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, he just stared at Vanya. It was the first time he had seen her face soberly, and he was taken aback by her beauty.

Vanya's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she tried to scramble off Nolan's lap. "I'm so sorry," she muttered, trying to pull away from him.

But Nolan's hands shot out, grasping her wrists and holding her in place. "Don't apologize," he said, his voice low and smooth, but with a hint of coldness. "I'm just glad you're okay."

Vanya's eyes flashed with annoyance, but Nolan just raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "You're very clumsy, aren't you?" he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Vanya's face grew hotter with embarrassment, but she tried to laugh it off. "I guess so," she said, trying to pull her wrists free.

But Nolan held tight, his fingers wrapping around her wrists like a vice. "Don't go yet," he said, his voice low and persuasive, but with a hint of reluctance. "I want to talk to you."

Vanya's eyes met Nolan's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Then, Nolan's gaze dropped to the flowers in Vanya's hand.

"You're watering the flowers," he said, his voice filled with surprise. "I didn't know you were interested in gardening."

Vanya shrugged, feeling a sense of awkwardness wash over her. "I'm not, really," she said. "I just thought it would be nice to help out."

Nolan's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing. "You're not like most women, are you?" he said, his voice low and smooth, but with a hint of disapproval. "You're not afraid to get your hands dirty."

Vanya felt a flush rise to her cheeks, but she tried to laugh it off. "I guess not," she said, trying to pull her wrists free.

But Nolan held tight, his fingers wrapping around her wrists like a vice. "I suppose it's...refreshing," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Most women I know wouldn't be caught dead doing manual labor."

Vanya's eyes flashed with annoyance, but Nolan just raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "But I suppose you're not like most women, are you?" he said, his voice low and smooth.

Vanya felt a sense of unease wash over her, but she tried to shrug it off. "I guess not," she said, trying to pull her wrists free.

But Nolan held tight, his fingers wrapping around her wrists like a vice. "Just so you know...i didn't want to agree to getmarried," he said, his voice low and smooth, but with a hint of bitterness. "But my father...persuaded me. And my brothers...they were relentless, they thought you were great..or something like that."

Vanya's eyes met Nolan's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Then, Nolan's gaze dropped to her lips, and Vanya felt a shiver run down her spine.

"I'm sorry," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't know."

Nolan's eyes snapped back to hers, his expression unreadable. "It's not your fault," he said, his voice low and smooth. "You're just a...convenience. A means to an end."

Vanya felt a sting from his words, but she tried to shrug it off. "I understand," she said, trying to pull her wrists free.

But Nolan held tight, his fingers wrapping around her wrists like a vice. "Do you?" he said, his voice low and smooth, but with a hint of skepticism. "I don't think you do."

Vanya felt a sense of frustration wash over her. She didn't love Nolan, and she knew he didn't love her either. They were just two people who had been brought together by circumstance.

"I don't love you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Nolan's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing. "I know," he said, his voice low and smooth. "I don't love you either."

Vanya felt a sense of relief wash over her. At least they were both on the same page.

"So what do we do now?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Nolan's eyes dropped to her lips, and Vanya felt a shiver run down her spine. "I suppose we just have to make the best of it," he said, his voice low and smooth.

Vanya nodded, feeling a sense of resignation wash over her. She knew that she and Nolan would never have a loving relationship, but she was determined to make the best of the situation. She couldn't forget how he tried his best to help in her first life, she vowed to stay with him no matter what.

"I suppose you're right," she said, trying to sound cheerful. "We can try to make this work."

Nolan's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing. "I'm not sure it's going to be that easy," he said, his voice low and smooth. "We're very different people, Vanya."

Vanya nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation wash over her. "I know," she said, trying to sound brave. "But I'm willing to try if you are."

Nolan's eyes dropped to her lips, and Vanya felt a shiver run down her spine. "I suppose it's worth a shot," he said, his voice low and smooth.

As they sat there, Vanya couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She didn't love Nolan, and she knew he didn't love her either. But she was determined to make the best of the situation, no matter what.