Mirabelle’s POV:“You’ve always been so proud of Noah, haven’t you, Michael?” Caitlyn said as she turned to Michael. “But I’m sure you must be ashamed of him now.”I glanced around the dining room before finally focusing on Noah. He had always been the reserved one—calm, skeptical, and composed. He spoke only when necessary, or when he sensed I was being insulted.I was usually the one throwing out harsh words, but tonight, Noah was on fire. It felt intriguing, though; perhaps he was simply fed up with Caitlyn and Ken's antics.“I must have made a good impact on him,” I thought, smiling widely as I sipped my champagne.Noah suddenly leaned forward. “It’s no wonder you feel such affection for Mitchelle, Caitlyn. Just like you, she managed to worm her way into someone else’s home. But unlike you, she wasn’t bold enough to have an illegitimate child with that man, as you did with my father.” He shot back.The impact of his words surprised everyone, including me. “Enough!” Michael yelled
Noah's POV:I didn’t want to leave Mirabelle alone with them, but I had no choice—I needed to hear what my father had to say.Besides, I have no reason to be concerned. I’ve known Mira for a long time, and one thing I've learned about her is that she never backs down when people treat her poorly. So she will definitely be able to handle them.I followed my father silently through the corridors until we reached his study. He pushed the door open and stepped inside.Taking a deep breath, I entered and shut the door behind me with a thud.“What do you want to talk about?” I asked.He took his time, walking over to the table at the center then he sat down. I took a seat across from him and repeated my question. “What do you want to talk about?”“Did you marry her because you love her, or was it just to spite your brother?” he asked, locking eyes with me.“I have nothing against Ken. Why would I take such a drastic step just to annoy him?” I replied, tilting my head to the side.“Then I g
Mirabelle's POV:As we pulled away from the house, the sound of the engine filled the car. Noah’s hands gripped the steering wheel tightly until his knuckles turned white. “Are you okay?” I asked. He had just told me everything that happened with his father a few minutes ago, but he had left out how it all made him feel.I could feel the anger emanating from him, as he spoke. “He says that I am just like him.” He said. I glanced over at him, trying to read his expression, but his eyes remained fixed on the road. He let out a deep sigh, shaking his head slightly. “He thinks I’m just like him. It’s so infuriating because I’ve spent my whole life trying to be nothing like him.” Noah has always been expressive, straightforward, and honest. But he was also the best at hiding his emotions, it makes it really hard for me to know what he wants at times. But right now, he had let himself lose and I liked to see this part of him.He glanced at me for a short while before his gaze returned
Ken's POV:As I sat on the edge of my bed, everything that happened at the family dinner replayed in my mind. I had insisted on a gathering to ensure that Noah and Mirabelle’s marriage would be put to an end and I could finally have her back. But they looked so happy.How could they be so happy when I was drowning in debt and regret?‘Mirabelle!’Just saying her name to myself sent shivers down my spine. She looked beautiful that night, though she would have looked even better by my side. I couldn’t stop stealing glances at her throughout dinner. As she smiled at Noah’s jokes, it made my heart ache. I had always known that she had a certain charm, but seeing her with him stirred a regret within me. We had shared so much, but I foolishly ruined it, and now, here I was, watching Noah enjoy her from the sidelines, feeling like a ghost.“Why can’t I just move on?” I muttered to myself. It wasn’t just that she was with my brother; it was the way she seemed to fit so perfectly in that lif
Ken's POV:As I sat on the edge of my bed, everything that happened at the family dinner replayed in my mind. I had insisted on a gathering to ensure that Noah and Mirabelle’s marriage would be put to an end and I could finally have her back. But they looked so happy.How could they be so happy when I was drowning in debt and regret?‘Mirabelle!’Just saying her name to myself sent shivers down my spine. She looked beautiful that night, though she would have looked even better by my side. I couldn’t stop stealing glances at her throughout dinner. As she smiled at Noah’s jokes, it made my heart ache. I had always known that she had a certain charm, but seeing her with him stirred a regret within me. We had shared so much, but I foolishly ruined it, and now, here I was, watching Noah enjoy her from the sidelines, feeling like a ghost.“Why can’t I just move on?” I muttered to myself. It wasn’t just that she was with my brother; it was the way she seemed to fit so perfectly in that lif
Mirabelle’s POV:Noah chuckles against my skin. “Oh, I’m going to enjoy this.” He says, his hands sliding lower, tracing the curve of my waist, my hips. He tugs at the hem of my frock, pulling it up over my thighs. His fingers skim over my skin, and the sensation sends a jolt of electricity through me. I arch into him, desperate for more of his touch, but he takes his time, savoring every moment. He teases me, his hands slipping under the fabric, caressing the bare skin of my legs, then stopping just shy of where I want him most. I groan in frustration, pushing my hips up, but he holds me still, a wicked grin on his lips. “Not so fast, my Love.” He says, his voice thick with amusement. “We’re going to do this slow, the way I want.” His fingers trail up my sides, taking the fabric of my frock with them, and I feel the cool air on my skin as more of me is exposed to him. He pulls the dress over my head, tossing it aside like it’s nothing, and his eyes rake over my body, taking me i
Mirabelle's POV:The first thing I noticed when I woke up was the silence. I blinked at the soft glow of the sunlight filtering through the curtains. I realized that Noah was nowhere to be found. I glanced at the clock on my nightstand—already past noon. Had I really slept that late? Noah must have gone to work, I thought, rolling out of bed and wrapping a towel around myself. I padded to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and splashed water on my face.After my quick shower, I dried off and stepped out of the bathroom. My breath caught as I entered the room. There, laid out like a feast, was a breakfast spread that looked like it belonged in a seven-star restaurant. Fluffy pancakes stacked up, fresh fruit, crispy bacon, and a jar of steaming coffee.“Noah?” I called out.“Good afternoon, sleepyhead.” He said, smiling.“Why didn’t you go to work?” I asked, still surprised by the breakfast. “This looks amazing.”“I decided to take the day off to take care of you.” He said. “Your body m
Mitchelle's POV:Ever since Mirabelle had come back into our lives, it felt like bad luck had come between us. I hadn’t shared a bed with him in weeks, and every day without his warmth made me feel isolated. I gathered the courage to go to Ken's room when I woke up. But he wasn't there; I noticed the clothes that were scattered all over the floor, so I decided to pick them up.As I bent down to pick up a stray sock, something caught my eye beneath the bed. It was a folder, slightly open. My curiosity piqued, so I pulled it out.When I opened it, my heart sank. It was a contract between Ken’s company and Mirabelle’s. This was why Ken had been so happy yesterday. He was probably daydreaming about the life he could have with her if they ended up relating perfectly well while working.He was taking steps to create a future with Mirabelle. The thought made my stomach churn, as I slammed the folder shut.By the time Ken came home later that afternoon, I was ready. The door swung open, an
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