Chapter 263: Something Bigger
"Thank you for this, but I really have to go," Sarah said softly, as Georgia finished tending to the last of her wounds.
"Aren’t you going to file a complaint against Nancy for doing that to you?" Georgia asked.
Sarah shook her head and said, "No, I don’t want to get involved with her anymore. This is the last time. I’ve had enough trouble in my life," she said.
Georgia nodded, but still got a feeling that there was more to it that Sarah was not telling.
They stepped out together, and outside, Nick and Reagan stood a few feet away, deep in conversation. The tone between them looked serious, but as soon as Georgia and Sarah approached, both men paused.
"I’m all fixed up. We should get going," Sarah said.
"Alright," Reagan replied before turning to Georgia. His expression softened, sincerity written all over his face. "Thank you, Georgia. I hope you get the justice you deserve. Nancy... she’s truly lost it. I can’t believe it took me this long to see that."
Georgia offered a polite smile. "Thank you, Reagan. Take care of her."
Reagan gave a small nod before leading Sarah toward his car. Georgia and Nick stood side by side, watching the two drive off down the street until the car disappeared from sight. Only then did Georgia glance at Nick, noticing the subtle tightness in his jaw.
"What were you two talking about? You both looked so serious earlier," she asked curiously.
Nick looked at her for a long moment, his eyes conflicted. He took a slow breath, as though debating with himself.
"Nick," she said, tilting her head slightly, eyebrows furrowed. "Why are you looking at me like that? You look like you’re arguing with yourself in your head."
Nick chuckled under his breath, his lips twitching into a nervous smirk. "That’s because I am. I don’t want to tell you this... but I also don’t want to lie to you. So I will—because I trust that you love me. Right?"
Georgia blinked, then laughed softly at his awkward honesty. She reached up and cradled his face, her thumbs brushing against the warm skin of his jaw. "Baby, I love you with all my heart, mind, and soul. Don’t ever question that.
Whatever you’re about to say won’t change what I feel for you—unless it’s that you don’t love me anymore. In that case, my love might turn into rage, and I’ll strangle you to death right here, right now, " she teased, grinning.
Nick’s laugh was quiet and relieved. He slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her close before pressing a tender kiss against her lips. "I’d never do that," he murmured. His voice then grew soft, almost hesitant. "It’s just... Reagan told me something.
He said Nancy drugged Raymond the night before your wedding. She brought him to his suite, planning to make it look like they’d slept together for everyone to see the next day. You came earlier than expected, and though she didn’t get everything she wanted, she still managed to ruin things between you two."
Georgia froze. Time seemed to stop between them.
Nick swallowed hard, his chest tightening as he looked into her shocked eyes. "He said Raymond really did love you. That his feelings were real."
For a moment, she didn’t say anything. Then, slowly, a small, wistful smile tugged at her lips. She reached forward and wrapped her arms around Nick’s neck, holding him tightly.
"Thank you for telling me," she whispered against his shoulder. "But that doesn’t change anything. You’re the one I love, Nick. You’re the man I choose—every single day, for the rest of my life."
Nick’s heart melted at her words. He hugged her back, his lips brushing against her temple. "You have no idea how relieved I am to hear that. You looked so shocked earlier—I thought I was about to be in trouble."
Georgia laughed softly. "You worry too much. Even if his feelings for me were real, he did hurt me, remember? It’s something you don’t do to the person you love. He has a twisted mind. And besides, I think it’s our destiny to be together. Don’t you agree?"
Nick nodded, pulling Georgia close again and wrapping his arms around her waist. He was just about to lean in for a kiss when a familiar voice cut through the moment.
"Hey, lovebirds! Do you really have to rub your sweetness in front of us poor, single souls?" Oliver called out, grinning.
Georgia and Nick both chuckled, slightly pulling apart.
"You know, that’s your choice, Ollie," Georgia teased, her eyes glinting with mischief. "You could be with her if you wanted to."
Nick’s brows furrowed. "Wait—who? Is there something I don’t know about?"
Oliver froze, his cheeks turning a noticeable shade of red while Georgia burst into laughter.
"No one, babe! I was just speaking hypothetically," she said between laughs. "Anyway, should we go back inside?"
Oliver shook his head, still flustered but smiling. "No need. We’re done here. Nancy won’t talk anymore, and I’ve filed all the necessary reports—including the arson and Irene’s case. The next step is tracing with Irene and Frank for the second time around. But you two should go for now. I’ll keep you updated if there’s progress."
Nick nodded, then turned to Georgia, brushing his fingers along her arm. "Love, why don’t you go ahead to the car? I just need to talk to Oliver about something business-related."
"Alright," she said easily, giving him a quick peck on the cheek before heading toward the car.
Nick watched her go, his expression softening for a brief second before he turned serious again. He faced Oliver, his tone low and thoughtful.
"Ollie, keep an eye on Reagan," he said quietly. "I have a feeling something’s off. We might need to be ready for whatever comes next."
Oliver’s easy grin faded. "You think it’s related to Nancy pushing Georgia overboard?"
Nick’s jaw tightened slightly. "Yes... and no. I think it’s something bigger. It’s about the threat of Nancy that we heard. Look into it."
Oliver nodded slowly, reading the concern in Nick’s eyes. The easy warmth from earlier lingered faintly, but now it was tempered with something heavier—an undercurrent of anticipation neither of them could quite name yet.
Across the parking lot, Georgia sat in the car, watching Nick and Oliver from a distance. She didn’t know what he and Oliver were talking about, but she could feel the tension even from afar just by the look on their faces.
*******
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