True Love Deserves a Second Chance

Joyce's eyes were locked on a spot just to the right of Ryan's navel.

She remembered Sebastian had a scar there from a gunshot wound in Africa.

But after staring for what felt like forever, she couldn't find it.

All she could see were Ryan's chiseled abs and smooth skin.

Joyce was thrown off for a moment.

Had she been wrong?

Just then, Ryan's laughter broke her thoughts, "Ms. Blackwood, did you spill coffee on my shirt just to get a peek at my abs? You don't have to be so sneaky, you know. Just tell me." With that, he unbuttoned his shirt completely, showing off his perfectly toned chest and abs.

Joyce's cheeks flushed red, and her voice got a bit raspy.

"Sorry, I slipped. I'll get you a new one."

She grabbed the phone on the table and called her assistant.

"Go to the nearest mall and buy a white shirt, size XL."

After hanging up, she noticed Ryan looking at her with a playful glint in his eyes.

"Can I take this as a Valentine's Day gift from you?"

Joyce kept her cool, "It's my fault, and I should compensate you with a new one. If you want to see it as a gift, that's on you."

Ryan laughed as he rebuttoned his shirt, his voice full of amusement.

"Dating a top lawyer means I get free legal lessons every day. By the time we get married, I might be able to argue a case in court." "That day will never come," Joyce said firmly.

"How can you be so sure? Joyce, never say never. Anything can happen."

Ryan's lips curled into a teasing smile, but there was a deep emotion in his eyes.

His heart ached with a dull pain.

He owed Joyce a happy marriage, and no matter the cost, he had to make it up to her.

Joyce didn't want to continue the conversation and shifted back to discussing the case.

After leaving the law firm, Ryan called Leonard.

"I need your help tonight. Joyce is getting suspicious."

Leonard chuckled, "I told you, Joyce has a sharp eye. She'll catch on quickly. What do you need me to do?"

In the evening, Ryan's car pulled up right on time at the law firm.

He was dressed in a sleek black suit, with a delicate black gemstone brooch at the collar.

He looked noble and stunning.

His deep-set features and handsome face were full of emotion.

His long legs were casually crossed, and his whole presence radiated intense charm.

The colleagues walking out with Joyce saw this and immediately squealed.

"Ms. Blackwood, Mr. Ward is so dreamy, like the hero from my novel. You should just say yes to him."

Joyce smiled faintly and waved to everyone.

Then she walked over to Ryan.

"Sorry, I just met with a client and kept you waiting."

Ryan smiled as he opened the car door for her, his large hand gently shielding her head as she settled into the passenger seat.

He thoughtfully buckled her seatbelt.

Ryan's voice was low and husky. "Waiting for you is a pleasure."

Being so close, Joyce felt a bit flustered.

She always saw traces of Sebastian in Ryan.

Even though the two were completely different, the feeling was strong.

Joyce's ears turned red, and she instinctively leaned back a bit.

Joyce took a deep breath and said calmly, "Let's go. I'm starving."

Planning your weekend reading? Ensure you're on 000005s.com for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is just a click away, exclusively available on our site. Happy reading! Ryan noticed her reddened ears and couldn't resist gently ruffling her hair as he stood up.

With a smile, he said, "I'll treat you to a feast tonight."

They drove to a fancy French restaurant.

As soon as they got out of the car, Joyce spotted a familiar figure.

She was momentarily thrown off and immediately looked at Ryan.

She didn't know what to feel at that moment.

The second she saw Sebastian, all her doubts seemed to disappear.

Sebastian and Lena were also getting out of a car.

He looked over at her with those deep, intense eyes.

Joyce couldn't help but clench her fists tightly.

If Ryan was Sebastian, then who was this Sebastian?

The same person couldn't be in two places at once.

Ryan noticed Joyce's pale face and smiled, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

"What, are you upset seeing your ex-husband with another woman?"

Joyce quickly composed herself and smiled faintly.

"No, let's go inside."

With that, Ryan led her into the restaurant.

Lena looked at Sebastian and said deliberately, "Mr. Winters, that's Ms. Blackwood, right? She's here with Mr. Ward for Valentine's Day. Do you think they're in love now?" Sebastian glanced at her and said in a low voice, "Ms. Hayes, we're here to meet a client, not to gossip."

Lena quickly nodded, "Sorry, I was just worried that seeing Ms. Blackwood with someone else would upset you."

"Do you think I would still be with a woman who kicked me when I was down?"

Planning your weekend reading? Ensure you're on 000005s.com for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is just a click away, exclusively available on our site. Happy reading! With that, Sebastian turned and walked towards the restaurant.

Hearing this, Lena's lips curled into a smug smile.

She quickly followed Sebastian.

Ryan led Joyce into a large private room.

The moment the door opened, Joyce was stunned.

Every corner of the room was filled with flowers in her favorite pink and white.

A large 'LOVE' sign was lit up with warm yellow lights.

The flower petals on the floor looked especially vibrant under the ambient lighting.

Joyce's name was flashing on the LED lights on the wall.

The entire room was decorated in the style Joyce loved-romantic yet warm and comforting.

Seeing such a romantic scene on this special day made Joyce feel as if she were back two years ago, during a time filled with happiness and love, with her baby and her beloved Sebastian. Joyce was moved by everything in front of her, her eyes slightly red.

But she quickly snapped back the reality.

Joyce hid all her emotions and gave Ryan a faint smile, "Thank you, Mr. Ward."

Ryan could easily see through her.

He looked at her with a bit of heartache, "Winning your heart demands careful preparation. Do you like it?"

Joyce responded softly, "We're not young anymore. There's no need for you to prepare such flashy things. Besides, we're just in a contractual relationship."

Ryan smiled and took her hand, leading her to the dining table.

He gentlemanly pulled out a chair for her to sit.

Ryan gestured to the waiter at the door to start serving the food.noveldrama

The waiter immediately went to the kitchen to get the dishes.

On his way back, the waiter accidentally bumped into someone and quickly apologized.

Meanwhile, Lena quietly poured a packet of white powder into the red wine, then smiled and left.