Even though she had spent the whole day mentally preparing herself , Noreen still couldn't keep the nerves at bay when the moment finally arrived . She stood outside the door , struggling to steady her breathing , rubbing her trembling hands in an attempt to calm herself . What if , the moment she walked in , she choked up and couldn't even recite the engagement vows she'd practiced a thousand times ? Inside , the party was in full swing . Laughter and conversation drifted through the doorway , voices overlapping . " Seth , are you still in touch with Bianca Lowell ? " " Bianca ? Wasn't she Seth's first love ? Why bring her up all of a sudden ? " " I heard Bianca's coming back to the States . " " Well , doesn't that mean Seth gets another shot at his first love ? " Noreen's hands , already trembling from anticipation , froze mid - motion . " Honestly , Bianca's dad has made quite a name for himself these past few years . If Seth married her , it would be a huge boost for him - and for the Aurelion Group . Power couple , perfect match . " " Plus , she's his first love . He'd have it all , both romance and success . " The one saying this was Jude Wilder , Seth's childhood friend . He liked to joke that he and Seth grew up sharing everything , so he spoke , with the confidence of someone who assumed he knew all the secrets . First love ? Seth … has a first love ? A sharp pain seized Noreen's heart , catching her completely off guard . " So , what about Noreen ? " someone asked Seth , curiosity in their voice . " She's stuck by you for years . Even if she hasn't achieved much , she's certainly paid her dues . " Jude shrugged it off . " Just give her some money and send her on her way ." " Or hey , if you really like her , keep her around after the wedding . Happens all the time - wife at home , fun on the side . " Noreen's fingers clenched so tightly that she could no longer feel her own hands . 1/3 11:54 She needed Seth's answer - desperately . She wanted him to speak up right away , to tell everyone , loud and clear . That he loved Noreen . That she was the one he wanted to marry . But all she heard , after a long pause , was his cool , dismissive voice: " When did you guys get so nosy ? " No denial . No objection . If anything , it sounded like he was admitting to everything . " Yeah , yeah , let's talk about something juicy for once - it's a party , after all . I'm about to fall asleep over here , " Jude said , springing up from the sofa to liven things up . Jude was a notorious player , cycling through girlfriends faster than most people changed their socks . He was the king of party games, always bringing up something wild . Tonight , he proposed a round of confessions . " Everyone , share the wildest thing you've ever done ." Someone blurted out , " Hooked up in a car . " Jude scoffed . " That's your idea of wild ? " The guy shot back , " On a train . " The whole room burst into laughter and shouts . " Now that's next - level ! " Jude turned to Seth , who looked bored out of his mind . " What about you , Seth ? Ever do anything wild ? " Seth seemed to think for a moment before answering , " I became the other man for love . " The whole room exploded . This was Seth - the heir to one of Rivercrest City's most powerful families . He could have any woman he wanted . If he did something like that , it had to be for real love . Jude was the most dramatic of all , his voice rising so loud Noreen could hear every word through the door . " It was Bianca , wasn't it ? I knew you still loved her ! Back then , you were into Bianca , but she was into Dylan Wilder , so you became the other man for love ! Seth , you're unbelievable - a true romantic hero ! " Their laughter crashed over Noreen like buckets of ice water , freezing her to the 2/3 11:54 Chapter 2 core . Her stomach twisted painfully . She slid down , crouching by the door , fighting the urge to be sick . Jude was still going , his voice carrying over the noise . " Come on , Seth , be honest . On October tenth , did you meet up with Bianca ? " Seth replied , " How'd you know about that ? " " She posted on Instagram that day - something about ' reunions being the most romantic thing in the world . ' I just knew it had to be you ! " " So , how'd it go ? Sparks flying ? Did you pick up where you left off ? "