Against Cruelty, She Grew Strong (by Anastasia Glover) novel Chapter 686

Chapter 686 Norman’s Heartbreak Reconciliation

“It’s not ugly.”

“How did you recognize my handwriting?”

When she slipped out the note, she’d been unsure-what if Norman didn’t trust it?

One slip and the whole plan would fail.

Failure meant death.

Norman smiled at the memory, “That awful handwriting-I couldn’t think of anyone else who’d write like that.”

Tammy spun around, “You’re making fun of me!”

The next second, his face was suddenly close.

Norman leaned in close enough that she could feel his breath. He held her gaze, his voice rough, “Tammy, I’m sorry. I let you get hurt.”

Tammy didn’t answer.

She just blinked.

Norman used every ounce of self-control not to grab her.

She didn’t speak, so he started pulling back, afraid of seeing disgust in her eyes.

But then-she reached out and hugged him tight.

She whispered in his ear, “Thanks!”

Norman didn’t react. He stood frozen, like a startled child.

Tammy let go quickly and stepped back, smiling, “I’ve decided. Let’s wipe the slate clean.”

That hit him like a gift out of nowhere. He couldn’t stop himself from grinning. “So you forgive me?”

She nodded, “Yeah. I forgive you.”

He reached for her-but she dodged.

“I forgive you. That doesn’t mean anything else.”

“Meaning…”

Tammy’s voice lilted, “From today on, we’re friends.”

Norman, “…

I don’t want to be just friends!

He almost laughed in frustration.

But he didn’t dare push.

He bit out, “Just friends?”

“What, don’t want to be friends? Then we can go back to being enemies.”

“Fine. Friends it is.”

Better than her avoiding him or hitting him.

Tammy saw his sulky face and laughed, “Come on. Don’t be so upset.”

Seeing her smile lifted his spirits. The irritation faded.

“Yeah. Happy to.”

“Now tell me how did you guys pull this off? I’m dying to know.”

Norman told her everything. No embellishments. He told her it was a group effort.

“Is that really the Cole family heir? The one who built an empire on shipping routes and owns half the underworld? Acting like a grade-schooler picking on his crush?”

Knox hesitated.

“It must be him. No one else fits.”

Manna knew it was Norman. She just couldn’t believe it.

Even harder to believe-Norman was into someone as rough as Tammy.

She sighed deeply. No envy or jealousy.

Clearly, someone like Norman would never look at someone with her past. She knew her limits.

But with Tammy’s guilt toward her, Norman wouldn’t give her a hard time in the future.

“You’ll take over Todd’s business. I’ll help you.”

Knox nodded and held her close, “I trust you.”

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll betray you? Like I did Todd?”

“We’re the same kind of people. Partners.” Manna froze. She looked away, embarrassed. What had started as pure manipulation now hel a touch of real feeling.

The boat reached port.

People were already waiting.

As they approached, Tammy spotted Lucas on the dock, waving.

She leaned out and waved back.

She made a megaphone with her hands and shouted, “Lucas!!”

He heard her. The weight he’d been carrying finally lifted.