It's said every man has a woman he once loved but could never have - the one who haunts his heart , the one who got away . Noreen Gilmore always thought Seth Harcourt was the exception . After all , they'd shared a passionate youth , tangled up in each other's lives for years . But the world , it seems , is just one grand stage for lost loves . And Seth , for all his stoic charm , was no different . Noreen had been with Seth since she was eighteen - seven years , more than two thousand days and nights . They'd shared everything lovers could , and yet , none of it compared to that fleeting , unforgettable girl from his past . The irony of it all almost made her laugh . Seven years , and she still couldn't see clearly into a man's heart . So just how deep did that love run , that Seth could bury it for so many years and never let her close enough to dislodge it ? Lost in thought , Noreen barely registered Seth's growing impatience . He tightened his grip , a silent warning to pay attention or risk his displeasure . Seth was always intense in bed - forceful , relentless . In the heat of things , his sweeping movements sent a black velvet box tumbling from the nightstand . He caught it midair , careful not to let it fall on her . He glanced at it , curiosity flickering across his face . " What's this ? " Noreen slipped the box from his hand , tossed it asidé without emotion , and wrapped her arms around his neck , pressing her lips to his throat . " You're getting distracted at a time like this ? Tired of me already ? " Seth couldn't resist her . Whatever curiosity he had vanished in an instant . As he lost himself in her , Noreen's gaze drifted to the black box lying forgotten on the floor . Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears . Seth , you'll never know what's inside that box . *** A month earlier , Aurelion Group had gone public . Seth's friends threw him a small celebration . Noreen dressed to the nines , determined to propose to Seth that night . 1/3 11:54 Chapter 1 Proposing was supposed to be the man's job . But Noreen loved Seth so much that she was willing to set aside her pride - she'd ask him to marry her . No one knew she'd waited seven years for this day . Seth's career was everything to him . Noreen switched her major to finance for his sake , even though it bored her to tears . She turned down an offer from a prestigious overseas university and joined Aurelion Capital , starting at the bottom just to be near him . She worked her way up from the lowest rung to become his executive assistant . No one but Noreen knew how much she'd sacrificed . There were so many nights , when love burned brightest , that she wanted to ask Seth : Will you marry me ? But she always swallowed the question . Her mother used to say - never ask for gifts or love . If someone gives it willingly , it's a blessing ; if you have to reach out and take it , it's charity . And Seth was never one to talk about his feelings . Still , after all these years , she was the only woman by his side . No one else had ever come between them . It felt inevitable , like they were simply waiting for the right time . For that future , Noreen had fought tooth and nail for Aurelion Group , taking on every challenge , no matter how big or small . She couldn't remember how many nights she'd spent drinking with clients , or how many times she'd ended up in the hospital . The time she suffered alcohol poisoning and lost their child , she nearly died on the operating table . Her best friend Claire Chase asked her once , " You nearly died for this man , Noreen . Don't you regret it ? Was it worth turning yourself into this for him ? " Noreen didn't hesitate . " It was worth it . " Claire gave her a nickname - Love's Warrior . She said , " I hope you don't lose . " Back then , Noreen had answered with unwavering certainty , " Seth won't let me lose . " That belief kept her going all the way to Aurelion Group's IPO . No one knew that the day Seth rang the bell at Harborview City , Noreen locked 2/3 11:54 Chapter 1 herself in her room and cried her heart out . When she was done , she dried her tears and started planning the perfect proposal . Seth was busy , after all . The IPO meant new projects , endless congratulations from friends , family , and business partners . He barely had time to think about their relationship . So she decided to take the leap herself - to shoulder some of his burdens , and maybe , finally , secure their future together . 11:54 3/3 hapter 2