Love on the Fast Track (Derek and Norah)

Chapter 1: In the softly lit room, a man and a woman were sharing affectionate moments on the spacious bed. Above them, a painting of a bride adorned the pristine wall, her expression one of gentle joy.

"Imagine if Norah caught us here, in her bed. Do you think she'd be furious?" the woman said in a flirtatious tone.

"Not her bed. After all these years, I've never even shared a touch with her. She's always sleeping in the guest room next door," the man snorted before replying.

"Derek, you're so good to me," she whispered, her voice trailing off.

The two of them mingled, their heavy breathing filling the room.

Right then, a young woman stood at the door, clasping her hands over her mouth. Tears streamed down her face as she overheard them.

Their intimate moment cto an abrupt halt.

Derek Carter quickly slipped into his shorts and walked toward the kitchen to fetch a glass of water. Upon entering the living room, he was met with the sight of Norah Wilson sitting silently, her eyes red from tears. A flicker of surprise crossed his face as he wondered when Norah had returned and how much she had heard.

"Did you hear everything?” Derek asked casually, lounging on the couch with the glass of water in his hand. Hickeys marked Derek's slim frame, yet he paid no mind to whether Norah had seen them or how she might feel. He simply took a sip from his glass.

Get the latest updates on gVlnovs"It's tyou sign this," Derek pulled a folder from a drawer and tossed it onto the table.

"Given that you might have heard it all, there's no sense in prolonging matters." Norah timidly reached for the document, her eyes quickly finding the words "Divorce Agreement" on the opening page. She flipped to the page noting Derek Carter's flamboyant signature.

"Review it. Should you wish to add any terms, letknow. Otherwise, just sign it," he ordered.

Leaning back, Derek lit a cigarette, the smoke cloaking his detached demeanor.

"Can't you give us another shot?" With her head bowed and her voice rough from tears, Norah's sleek bangs fell over the dark rims of her glasses, highlighting her sorrowful look.

Ever since marrying into the Carter family, Norah had devoted herself to Derek, hoping for a future filled with happiness. Memories of the boy who had protected her from a snowstorm tightened her grip on the present, wishing for even the slightest hope of remaining by his side.

"Norah, don't be so pathetic. You knew what had transpired betweenand Madeline. So why cling to being my wife? Don't be so..." Derek's impatience showed as he tapped ash from the cigarette and added, "Our marriage was never more than a convenient arrangement." Norah felt her heart drop. She realized that Madeline Powell was the one Derek truly loved. She finally understood this.

She hunched over, fiddling with the hem of her clothes. It struck her that when Madeline showed up, Derek's focus would shift entirely to Madeline.

Years ago, when Madeline left for overseas, Derek chased after her but was involved in a tragic car crash that left him unresponsive. Derek was supposed to marry Luna Wilson from the Wilson family. However, Luna becinvolved with another man and had a child, prompting the Wilsons to offer Norah as a substitute bride.

Norah stepped into Luna's shoes, becoming Derek's wife. She devoted herself to Derek's care, cutting off almost all ties to her previous life for him. She abandoned her passions, including design, car racing, medical surgery, and coding, just to focus solely on him.

When Derek woke up from his coma a year ago, it was still Norah who tirelessly looked after him, staying by his side without fail. Yet, Derek seemed to be blinded by tenderness when Madeline returned from abroad.

Despite two years of marriage and care, Norah had to admit she failed to capture his heart. Receiving no response from Derek, Norah couldn't help but frown as he studied her sitting across from him.

Norah was undeniably attractive, even with her chic bangs and large glasses framing her face, yet she often neglected her appearance, looking disheveled. Her personality was overly reserved.

After Derek woke up from his coma, Norah was by his side around the clock, yet he felt no connection to her. He found her incredibly dull. The constant care and attention, the mundane look and routine of life, were as dull as plain water. He found it all incredibly boring.

He acknowledged Norah's role as a capable caretaker for the Carter family over the past two years, but he never felt she was fit to be his partner.

As he extinguished another cigarette, Derek said casually, “This is the Carter family residence." They stopped, and Derek noticed Norah standing with her head bowed. The sadness evident in her posture irritated him.

"I'm aware of your misery with the Wilson family. After the divorce, I'll grant you three villas and thirty million. You can pick any car from the garage. This should ensure a comfortable life for you in the future," Derek offered.

Derek wouldn't forget Norah's diligence in caring for him while bedridden and her companionship during his recovery exercises after he woke up from the coma. Though he harbored no love for Norah, Derek was willing to offer a generous settlement for her years of dedication. She had indeed devoted the best two years of her life to him.

As Derek crossed his arms, Norah caught sight of a small tattoo on his collarbone, worsening her anguish. It bore the initials "MP" for Madeline Powell.

Derek's patience wore thin. "Given the circumstances, I'll allow you a day to think it over. If the terms don't meet your approval, feel free to suggest adjustments, but don't go too far. I'm not known for my patience..." "There's no need forto think it over," Norah said, taking the pen from the table. She smoothly wrote her non the divorce papers. “I'll pack my things and leave. I won't get in your way anymore." Derek nodded in approval. "That's good to hear." Derek appreciated how Norah always complied, much like a servant who never questioned his decisions. Take today, for instance — she could have caused a commotion, but she didn't.

But instead, Norah kept her peace. Derek found her demeanor too dull. He worried that being around someone so unremarkable might eventually rub off on him.

Love, after all, wasn't something one could force.

Just as Derek was about to say something after going through the contract, Madeline, dressed in a white shirt, elegantly strolled out. Her shirt barely covered her thighs, with only a couple of buttons done up, exposing a lot of skin. Her hair was damp, causing the shirt to cling to her skin slightly, which added an enticing aspect to her appearance.

Hearing the movement, Norah turned to see Madeline wearing what she immediately recognized as Derek's shirt, the one she had picked out for him. Their eyes met, and Madeline gave Norah a smug, taunting smile. When Derek's gaze followed, Madeline quickly masked her expression.

"Norah, we finally meet," Madeline Powell said with grace as she approached Derek and took a seat e. beside him. Leaning on his shoulder, she added, "I've heard Derek mention you often. It's a pleasure to meet you." Norah looked down, saying nothing in response.

Madeline then nudged Derek playfully. "I heard you're giving Norah three villas. Didn't know that. You wanted that villa near the lake? Why would you promise it to her? Don't you loveanymore?" Derek, ever indulgent of Madeline's requests, turned back to Norah. “I'll choose another villa for you." Norah looked up at Derek through her glasses. "But didn't you say that one was meant for me?" Madeline's pout intensified. "Derek..." Derek's face showed a flicker of annoyance. "Norah, didn't you understand what I just said? Take these as a favor. If you're not on board with making changes, kindly refrain from making requests." mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliI0fiflO&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofifl0&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1