Noah's POV:I leaned back in my office chair, as I reviewed the project reports spread across my desk. Derek, who was pacing beside me, began. “Listen, Noah, if we don’t secure a space soon, we’re going to have to postpone the building once more. We can’t afford that, the investors might back off thinking that we are not serious.” He urged, rubbing the back of his neck.“I know, Derek,” I replied, forcing a smile. “I guess we just need to be patient, the right opportunity will surely come along.” He murmured. “Patience isn’t what we need right now.” I shot back. “We need action. Have you considered expanding your search outside the city of Shanghai?”Before he could respond, the office telephone rang, cutting through our conversation. I picked it up, glancing at Derek. “Yes?”“Mr. Sylvester, it's the receptionist here. I have someone who wants to see you. She says it’s urgent.”“Who is it?” I asked.“She said her name is Natasha. And that you’d know her immediately once I mention
Mirabelle's POV:Later that evening, Noah arrived home. I was in the kitchen, preparing dinner, my back turned to him, but I could hear his approaching footsteps.“Hey, babe.” He called out, dropping his bag on the floor.I turned, a smile lighting up my face. “Hey! How was your day?”“Productive.” He replied, moving closer. “I spoke with a friend about the project, and we might have a lead on a new property.”“Really? That’s great!” I exclaimed. “I knew you’d figure it out.”He smiled widely. “Yeah, she might have a connection that could help.”“Who?” I asked, raising an eyebrow as I stirred the pot on the stove.“Natasha!” He replied.That slimy bitch!Taking a deep breath. “Ah, I see. Well, as long as it helps the project, right?” I said, turning back to the cooker. “Exactly.” He replied. “How was your day?”“Slept all day, but I should be strong enough to go to work tomorrow now that my period is over,” I explained.“Why are you making breakfast, though? Where's Jamie?” He asked.
Mirabelle's POV:As I drove the kids home, my grip tightened around the steering wheel as I glanced in the rearview mirror at where Tyler, Mika, and Skyler sat, dirt and sand still clinging to their clothes.“What were you thinking?” I scolded, my voice rising. “Do you know how embarrassing it is to have to yell at the teachers for not watching you properly?”Tyler fidgeted in his seat, avoiding my gaze. “We were just playing, Mommy.” He said, his voice small.“Playing? That didn’t look like play to me!” I shot back. “You can’t just hit other kids because they call you names. You need to learn to walk away!”Mika, sniffling beside him, piped up, “But they started it! They were being mean!”“Even so,” I replied, trying to keep my voice calm. “You can’t respond with violence. I can’t believe I have to remind you of this.”The car fell silent, except for the soft sounds of sniffles from my daughter. I took a deep breath, as I dialed Noah's number, feeling uncomfortable about this. He ne
Ken's POV:I stared at the phone, hesitating before dialing her number. I pressed the call button, listening to the ringing tone as I waited. Finally, Mirabelle’s voice came through the line.“Yeah?” She answered as if I were the last person she wanted to hear from.“Hey, it's Ken. I just wanted to remind you about the lunch with the investors today; you remember, right?” I tried to keep my voice calm.“I remember, Ken.” She replied coolly. “You don’t have to keep reminding me.”There was a hint of something in her voice, irritation? Annoyance? I couldn’t quite place it, but I knew better than to push too far.“I just wanted to make sure everything was good. I’ll see you there, okay?”“I said I remember.” She stated. “I’ve got it covered.”Before I could say anything more, I heard the click of the call ending.She’d hung up on me.I let out a deep sigh and stared at the phone for a moment. ---The restaurant was a quiet place, the kind of place where deals were made over plates of pa
Ken's POV:She rolled down the window. “What now?”“I just… I need you to drop me off somewhere. Please.” I begged. “I’ll explain later.”She looked at me, hesitated, and then shook her head. “Why would I help you, Ken?” I said quickly. “Just… please. I’m stuck.”After a long pause, she sighed and unlocked the door. “Fine. Get in.”I slid into the passenger seat. This wasn’t how I’d planned for things to go, but it felt like a small victory. Maybe, just maybe, if I kept pursuing her like this, I could get her back.“You can drop me off at the gas station you passed on your way here,” I said, smiling.She didn’t respond; she just started the car and drove. I couldn’t help but watch her as she focused on the road.There was a thick silence between us, but I didn’t dare speak.“You’d better not try talking to me.” She warned.I bit my tongue, not wanting to risk upsetting her further. It was a small win, but it was a win.When we reached the gas station, I saw her drive off without a se
Mirabelle's POV:A few nights ago, Noah told me about a business event that Natasha had invited him to, happening tomorrow. Apparently, he'd have the chance to meet with the man who was looking to sell a few properties in Shanghai.At first, I was skeptical, a part of me felt uneasy. But then, I heard a little voice in my head ask. "Don’t you think you're overreacting?" I guess I had been overthinking it. But, really, who wouldn't? Noah is every woman's dream, he is supportive, a great listener, attentive, caring, and always there when you need him.Don’t get me wrong, I trust Noah completely. I just can't trust that feisty little model who seems to stir up something inside me.“You look bothered, Ma’am. Is everything alright?” Jamie’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.I turned to her with a smile. “I’m fine, just work stuff.”She raised an eyebrow. “Maybe you should take a few days off.”After taking a sip of water, I replied. “I’ll be okay, Jamie. No need to worry so much.” I sta
Mirabelle’s POVIt was a quiet evening at home, I stood in front of the door with Mika, Tyler, and Skyler. Each of them wore matching pajamas, we were all waiting for the same thing: Noah’s return. He’d told me that they were already in the estate, and my heart fluttered at the thought of seeing Grandpa Ed again after a long day.Mika was bouncing on her toes, Tyler, on the other hand, his hands were firmly gripping my sleeve, and he was leaning into me. Then there was Skyler, who stood a little further back, but I could see the curiosity in his eyes. Although he didn’t speak as much as his siblings, he often noticed things others missed. He had this calm, observant demeanor that I’d come to love over the years.And then, the sound of Noah’s car pulling into the driveway broke the silence. We all looked toward the door, and within a few moments, the doorbell rang, making Mika practically jump in the air.“That’s Daddy!” She squeaked.I smiled, walking toward the door with Tyler and
Noah's POV:I pulled up in front of The Silver Fork, the dim glow from the restaurant's exterior lights reflecting off my car’s windshield. The place was as exclusive as rumored—chic, modern, and a hotspot for the city’s most prominent figures. I’d been to my fair share of fine dining spots, but this place was different. I stepped out of the car, the cold air brushing against my face, as I walked toward the entrance. The doorman greeted me with a polite nod. Stepping inside, I made my way to the reception desk, where a young woman stood.“Good evening, Sir.” She greeted me, scanning her tablet. “Do you have a reservation?”“Yes, Noah Sylvester.” I replied, watching her eyes flick over the screen.She glanced at me for a moment before tapping a few keys, then smiled up at me. “Yes, Mr. Sylvester, we have you down for Table 9 in the private dining area. Apologies for the delay. I’ll have my colleague escort you in.”“No problem.”She motioned to a man standing nearby, who gave me a sli
Noah's POV: “I’ve missed you so much.” I confessed genuinely, fumbling for her bra clasp. “Same,” She moaned, arching her back. “Front clasp,” Mira explained and with one flick of my fingers, her surprisingly perfect breasts sprang forth, even after having three kids for me. Aren't I so lucky? I definitely was. “Turn around,” I said huskily, placing my hands on her waist. “Ohhhhh,” She moaned, as I got on my knees. Touching my lips to the band of her lace thong, I delicately placed my lips and teeth around the fabric and began pulling it down. “Fuck,” She whispered. I found her laying down with me hovering above her. I massaged her scalp with strong fingers, digging in just the right amount while dropping gentle kisses on her lips, neck and shoulders. Her nipples were so hard I was afraid they’d pop off, and while my dick throbbed with need I grabbed the back of her head gently, pulling her closer for a deep kiss. Bending down, I began to worship her breasts with my ton
Mirabelle's POV: I swallowed, my throat dry. "But what if you do?" I asked quietly. "What if you keep working with her? And then you end up getting close to her in a way that I can’t handle? What happens to us then?" I finally voiced my insecurity and didn't act as strong as I did before. Noah shifted, sitting up fully now, and his expression softened. "Mirabelle, you have to trust me. I've never given you a reason to doubt me, have I?" I stared at him for a long moment. I didn’t want to admit it, but I felt like everything had changed. "I want to trust you," I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper. "But how can I? I know it’s silly, but seeing you with Natasha—it just feels like you’re slipping away from me."Noah’s jaw tightened, and he reached out, placing a hand on my knee. "Mirabelle, you need to trust me. Especially after everything we’ve been through." I felt my chest tighten."I know," I said, forcing out a smile. "I know you’ve always had my back, and I’m grateful
Mirabelle's POV:“Mirabelle?” Ken’s voice was gentle but insistent. “What is it?”I sighed and pushed my chair back abruptly. “I have to go.” I said, smiling. “I’m sorry, Ken, I can’t do this right now.”“Mirabelle, wait—” he started, but I was already walking out of the restaurant, the door slamming shut behind me.I got home earlier than usual and found Jamie tidying up the living room. She looked up as I came in, her eyes widening when she saw my face.“Is everything alright, Mrs. Sylvester?” she asked, setting down the duster. I opened my mouth to say yes, to tell her not to worry, but instead, something inside me broke. “No,” I said, and my voice cracked. “No, Jamie, nothing is alright.” She was by my side in an instant, guiding me to the kitchen table and pushing a steaming cup of tea into my hands. I didn’t even realize I was crying until I tasted the salt of my tears on my lips. “Take your time, dear,” Jamie said softly, sitting down across from me. I told her everything—t
Noah's POV:I blinked, taken aback by the familiarity in her tone. “I... I think you have me confused with someone else,” I said gently, but she just smiled up at me.“Oh, don’t be silly,” she said, clutching my hand. “You’ve always been there for me, every step of the way.” Her frail fingers tightened around mine, and my heart twisted at the softness in her voice. Before I could say anything else, an older man approached us. “I’m so sorry,” He said, forcing out a smile. “My wife... she has dementia. She thinks every kind young man is me, from when we were younger.” He took her hand from mine with a patient smile. “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s sit down.”He led his wife to a bench, and they sat together, her head resting on his shoulder as he held her close.I hesitated before asking. “How long have you both been married?”The man looked at me surprised, before smiling softly. “We’ve been married for over fifty years. Met when we were just kids, and we’ve been through... well, more th
Noah's POV: I leaned back in my chair, my fingers frozen over the keyboard, unable to type another word. Mirabelle’s words still echoed in my mind. “Maybe this marriage was never real to you in the first place.” The accusation hit me harder than I wanted to admit, and the more I thought about it, the tighter my chest felt. I tried to focus, staring blankly at the spreadsheet on my laptop. But the numbers blurred. My mind slowly drifted to the past. It was two years ago, just after we had taken the kids to the park. Tyler had fallen off his bike, scraping his knee, and he was crying so hard that his face was bright red. I had rushed over, panicking, but before I could reach him, Mirabelle was already there, pulling him into her arms, wiping his tears with soft whispers. She kissed his forehead, and his cries turned into hiccups, his small arms wrapping around her neck. I remembered the way Mirabelle looked up at me with a gentle smile, saying. “You worry too much. He’s toughe
Mirabelle's POV:Dinner was supposed to be a refuge after a long day at work. But tonight, the usual comfort felt like a thin layer of ice stretched over deep water. I could barely taste the food in front of me. Across the table, Noah sat with his eyes downcast, refusing to look at me. It was all he could do to maintain the facade of peace for the kids.We were halfway through the main course when Skyler began. “Did you and Daddy have a fight?” He asked, his face scrunched up.I froze, my fork hovering mid-air. I glanced at Noah, hoping he’d handle this, but he was staring at his plate, his jaw clenched. I swallowed hard and forced a smile. “No, sweetie. Why would you think that?”“Because you and Daddy aren’t acting like you used to,” Skyler insisted, refusing to let it go. “You’re always doing things separately now. You don’t even tuck us in together anymore.”I opened my mouth to respond, but Tyler cut in. “Yeah.” he said, nodding along with his brother. “You always come at diffe
Mirabelle’s POV:I turned toward the door. I wasn’t going to let him have the last word, I needed to leave before I did something I’d regret.As I grabbed the handle to pull the door open, the door swung open. And there, in the doorway, stood Mitchelle.Her expression was that of fury, and in that moment, I wished I could vanish. I could feel the heat of her glare from across the room.“Leaving so soon?” She sneered, stepping inside. “I thought you were having a happy little chat with my man, Mirabelle.”My stomach twisted. The last person I needed to see right now was her. Mitchelle always knew how to push my buttons, and she wasn’t about to let me walk away without doing so.I took a deep breath. “I’m leaving, Mitchelle. Our conversation is over, I only came to discuss business.”But she didn’t back off. Instead, her lips curled into a smirk. “Oh no, it’s not over yet. Not when I’ve got something to say.” She took a few more steps into the apartment, her heels clicking against the f
Mirabelle's POV:I didn’t even know how I ended up parked in front of Ken’s house. One minute, I was driving through the city, lost in my thoughts, and the next, I was in front of his house. I hadn’t intended to come here. I really hadn’t. But my hands, as if on their own, had turned the wheel, driven down familiar streets, and pulled into the parking lot. It was almost like I had been here a hundred times before, even though it was a first. My heart pounded in my chest as I stared at the building. I hadn’t planned on seeing him. But here I was, unable to stop myself from climbing the stairs of the building, my legs moving with a mind of their own, and before I could even process what I was doing, I found myself standing in front of his door.I didn’t even have to look at the address; I knew it by heart. I’d made sure of that when Noah and I returned from abroad. I’d done my research on Ken, just in case. Just in case there was something I needed to know.That's how I knew his addre
Mirabelle's POV:I swallowed hard, walking toward the table. My heart was beating louder in my ears with every step. As I reached the table, I hesitated, then she moved her scarf just enough for me to see her face.It was Natasha!I moved back slightly, my instincts screaming at me to walk away, to turn around and leave before I got any deeper into whatever game she was playing. But Natasha’s eyes held me in place.She tilted her head, as if she was amused by my shock. "Mirabelle.” She said softly, her voice almost too sweet. "Aren’t you curious about what happened between Noah and I?"For a moment, I just stared at her, too stunned to say anything. But my shock quickly morphed into anger. How dare she? How dare she sit there and act like nothing had happened between them? Like she wasn’t the reason I was questioning everything I knew about Noah?I fought to keep my voice calm. "Why should I care? Why should I even be here, listening to this?"Natasha smiled, a smile that didn’t quite