Chapter TenI am about to sleep when a message pops up on my phone. It’s a message from an unknown number.‘If you really want to know what Nolan is hiding, come to Nueva Hotel and Suites.’My heart is pounding as I reread the message in my head. An ice-cold feeling creeps at the back of my neck. What is it? What are they aware of? I almost block whatever this is out. But the memories of Nolan and the need to know what this is about prevent me from doing so.I remove the sheets and get out of bed, my brain coming alive. I cannot turn a blind eye to this. If there is even a slight hope of finding out the truth about Nolan’s issue, I need to seize the opportunity. I reach for my phone and start looking for Nolan’s contact, but give up after a while. What if he was guilty about this too? I cannot afford to warn him. I have to do this by myself.I hurriedly put on clothes, put on a coat and shoes. As I drive towards Nueva Hotel and Suites, the air is chilly, and the places are poorly i
Chapter Eleven Chapter Eleven I wake up to the view of Nolan and Simeon beside me. The room is silent, save the rhythmic beeping of the machines surrounding me. My eyes are a bit blurry, but I manage to see Nolan sitting closer to the bed; his hands are clasp together, his eyes red and swollen as if he hasn't slept. Simeon and our maid stand by the window, arms folded across their chest, his face a mask of concern. My body feels heavy, and my mind is foggy with a lot of exhaustion and confusion. The truth of both of them being here may be a bit hard for my brain to wrap itself around at this moment. My throat is parched, my voice barely audible. "Simeon, why are you not in school" I manage to say. "How do you expect me to be in school when you are here?" My son walks towards me. As Simeon walks to me, his small, worried face tugs at my heart. Scared, his eyes are wide, and in that second, I have forgotten it all—Nolan, the crash, the betrayal. He's my son. "I didn't want
Chapter Twelve“Marie, it's not that I wanted the accident to happen….”“Really? You didn't want the accident to happen? But where was I coming from? Wasn't it the message I saw that made me start coming over there?”“Marie, it's trapped. didn't want to tell you this, but I think I can no longer keep it from you, I am sorry”I listen attentively, not replying to him “I traveled then, right" he says, I didn't travel because of work, I lied…” he says trembling.My eyes are wide open, “Why? Why did you travel? wasn't it because of work?”“I am sorry…”“Talk” I snap.He nods, “You see that I had to travel urgently”“Can you just talk…”“I actually hit someone in an accident and it was very bad, soit was only Nancy who knew I was the one who hit the woman. I didn't wait, I speed up”I freeze, my heart suddenly pounding in my chest. The words just hang there, hanging in the air and heavy with tension, the weight of something far deeper than I'd expected."What?" My voice is barely a whispe
**Chapter Thirteen: A Betrayal of the Worst Kind The nurse leaves the hospital room, leaving silence once again. But in my head, it is a very different matter. The words of Nolan keep swirling in my mind, a vortex pulling me under waves of confusion and anger. I feel trapped, ensnared by the love I once felt for him and the weight of his crushing truth.My eyelids grow heavy, and I close my eyes, attempting to rest. Again, though, the sound of footsteps approaching makes me open my eyes. The door opens very slowly. For a moment, I think it is Nolan again, but it is not him.Nancy entered the room with excessively composed countenance, her face radiating no trace of bother about anything in this world. Her eyes then focused on mine-cold and calculating. Instantly my heartbeat quickened because I always tried hard to sit up a little."What are you doing here?" I ask in strains tones.Nancy doesn't answer immediately. She walks over to the machines alongside me, the tips of her fingers
Chapter Fourteen: A Revelation UnveiledThe room is silent after Nolan has gone. The dull beeping of the machines is the only sound that manages to keep me oriented in reality. My mind, however, is lost in this sea of confusion and betrayal. I close my eyes and let out a long shaking breath. How did all these get so out of hand?Honestly, I do not know what more to think. The man I thought I knew, the man I loved, allowed Nancy of all people to walk away unscathed after trying to hurt me. How am I supposed to make sense of that? Regardless of what's going to happen, he shouldn't have let her go if he loves me I press a hand against my forehead, the dull ache settling there. Nolan's words still echo in my brain: "I did it to protect you, Marie." Protect me from what? From the truth? From his own guilt?My heart clenches painfully. A part of me so desperately wants to believe him. Wants to believe that somewhere deep down, he cares about me enough to want to keep me safe. But after ev
Chapter Fifteen: The Veil of ThreatsThe crisp hospital sheets are too tight around me, though they have already told me that I could finally go home. The words of the doctor-complete rest-are as if an echo in my head since I have been doing anything else all these days. It is not just the body that requires healing; there's much more inside that is broken.I wait for Nolan, trying to push the exhaustion that clings to me away. I didn't expected him to pick me up, for that matter. I didn't expected him to be around much at all after everything that happened. But he's here, showing up, reliable as ever, despite the tension grown between us.The door opens and I look up from my bed. Nolan is standing in the doorway. His face is soft, his expression is unreadable. Probably he's relieved that I am being released from the hospital “Ready?” He asks with a soft, cautious voice.I nod and start to feel a wave of dizziness as I stand. He steps forward quickly, offering his arm, and though I
Chapter Sixteen: Breaking the SilenceI resume work on Monday. My office is too quiet as I step inside. I leave my office and head to Nolan's office, to tell him that I have arrive.Nolan is sitting at his desk, staring down at the paperwork in front of him, but he doesn't seem like he's reading it.He looks up as I come in, and for a second, a flash of relief crosses his features-relief that I am here and we can finally talk. I take a deep breath, feeling all the unsaid words between us."Marie," he says, standing and walking around the desk. He is hesitating; he seems unsure of what he wants to say next.Nolan, we need to talk," I begin, though I am fully aware of what I am going to say. I have been since…well, since everything between us went complicated. "I don't want to keep pretending anymore."He looks at me worriedly, “Marie, what do you mean?”I mean us," I say, carefully "We've been dancing around this for to her tune for too long, and I can no longer continue that anymore”
Chapter Seventeen: Debt to be Repaid It is one of those afternoons, few and far in between, when the air seems light and, for an instant, a blind eye is turned toward the thoughts of the past. The giggles of Simeon resonate in the living room as he tosses his ball into the air, his little face alight. I sit in the living room and cross my legs. His joy is infectious and that pulls me away from the heavy fog. Then, the doorbell rings. A sound that brings reality crashing back. I rise, wipe my hands on my jeans, and head towards the door. My heart skips a beat as I pull it open to find Nolan standing there. He is tense. His usual clear and easygoing expression clouded with something heavier-guilt, maybe, fear, definitely. "Marie," he says softly, stepping in. His eyes flick to Simeon then back to me. "Are you ready for this? I shoot a sideways glance at my son, who still plays away, completely oblivious to the tempest brewing around us. I nod, but my chest constricts as it really h
Chapter 132She balled her fists into the material of her dress as the confrontation's weight settled firmly onto her shoulders. She kept staring at the door, her heart clutched in her chest. The accusations and disdain from Nolan's family reverberated loudly in her ears, louder than the silence that greeted them after their dramatic exit.Nolan's voice cut through her spiraling thoughts. "Don't let them get to you," he said, his tone softer now, though a residual edge of anger lingered. He stepped closer to her, his hand brushing against her arm, but Elena pulled back instinctively, the tension still too raw."How can I not?" she replied, her voice trembling. "They practically blamed me for everything—for Marie, for Marcus, for… for you not being the son or brother they want anymore.""They don't know what they're talking about," Nolan said firmly, his expression hardening again. "Marie is my past. You're my present. They'll just have to deal with it."Elena shook her head. Her throa
Chapter 131Nolan and Elena share a brief, weighted glance; then he turns to head back to the living room. Elena hesitates, her heart still racing from the tension, but she follows him, her footsteps quieter than usual.As they re-enter the room, Marcus is lounging exactly as they left him, eyes still half-closed as if he's genuinely relaxed, but the edge in his smirk is unmistakable. He's playing a dangerous game, and Nolan's not sure if he's the pawn or the one pulling the strings."Enjoying yourself?" Nolan asks, voice cold and sharp as he stands at the threshold.Marcus raises an eyebrow, makes a languid rise to sitting, tossing the magazine aside. "Just getting comfortable," he says-casually enough, but the challenge in his eyes is undiminished. "Isn't that what guests are supposed to do?"Don't mistake me for one who plays by the rules of hospitality," Nolan responds, not batting an eyelash. He steps closer to him, standing right in front of Marcus. "You're here on borrowed time
Chapter 130“You'll regret it. And trust me, Marcus, I don't make idle threats."The room seems to grow colder as Nolan's words hang in the air. Marcus holds his hands up in mock surrender, though the defiance in his smirk doesn't quite fade. "Alright, alright," he says lightly. "Message received, loud and clear. I'll be on my best behavior, promise."Good," Nolan snaps; there is no room for an argument. He steps back, his body a wall of silent warning, as he moves to stand beside Elena. She shifts uncomfortably under the weight of the tension, her fingers curling around the hem of her sweater.Marcus throws a glance between them, the corners of his lips twitching as if to hold back a comment. Finally, he leans against the couch and picks up the magazine again, an act of pretend indolence. "Three days it is, then," he murmurs, flipping a page. "Should be plenty of time.Nolan narrows his eyes but says nothing, turning to Elena instead. "Let's go," he says softly, his voice low enough
Uninvited GuestNolan and Elena back into the living room, their hands briefly touching, as if for reassurance. The tension between them in the air is palpable, but the look smoldering in Nolan's eyes indicates that he wasn't done with this just yet.Marcus is sprawled out on the couch, crossing his legs, an arm cast indolently over the back of the couch as he seems to exude superiority. He looks up; the smirk widens across his face, for all intents and purposes, he has just won some silent battle.Nolan's jaw clenches, but then, in one swift movement, a sly spreads across his face. He strides forward, his voice dripping with mock politeness. "Ah, my in-law," he says, articulating the words as if Elena's eyes must roll out of her head. "I hope you're feeling right at home?"Marcus' eyebrow lifts, partially taken aback by Nolan's tone, still smug, nonetheless. "I'm doing just fine, thanks."Nolan nods, pacing languidly in front of the couch. "That's great. My in-law, can I get you some
Chapter 128: Uninvited GuestMorning sun peeks through the apartment, casting a golden glimmer in the cozy living room as Elena and Nolan sat with the rare peace that finally rested between them. For the first time in weeks, the air felt light, the tension that had once gripped them now a distant memory. Nolan leans in, a playful smile on his face, and steals a kiss from Elena, who laughs softly and dodges, teasing him with a mischievous look."You missed," she teases, her voice lilting with false arrogance.Nolan chuckles, tugging her closer. "Did I? Let me try again."Their lips meet this time in a long, languorous kiss, and for a moment, everything is just right with the world. The world outside doesn't matter.Elena pulls back an inch, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw. "I missed this," she whispers. "Us. Without all the chaos."Nolan brushes a strand of hair from her face, his gaze tender. "It's not over yet, but I promise you-nothing will ever come between us again.They
Chapter 127 :The Breaking PointThere is an almost palpable sense of tension in the apartment. Nolan sits at the dining table, his head in his hands, while Marie stands across the room, watching him like a predator stalking its prey. A knowing smile curls her lips, as if she's already won.Marie steps closer, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor. "You can't keep ignoring me forever, Nolan," she says softly, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "We both know you still have a soft spot for me. Why else would you let me stay here?Nolan's head jerks up, his jaw clenched. "Don't flatter yourself, Marie. You're only here because my mother forced this on me. If it were up to me, you'd already be gone."Marie pouts dramatically, her eyes shimmering with crocodile tears. "Oh, Nolan. Is it really that hard for you to admit that we had something special? Something worth saving?Nolan bangs his fist onto the table and jolts her. "We had something, Marie. Past tense. You destroyed it
Chapter 126The soft creak of the front door echoes faintly through the quiet house, signaling Elena's return. She had only been gone an hour, a quick trip to pick up groceries. As she steps into the hallway, the faint murmur of voices carries to her ears and stops her in her tracks. She recognizes Nolan's voice, low and steady, but there's another one, softer and pleading-Marie.Elena's heart clutches. What could they be talking about now? She sets the grocery bags on the kitchen counter and pads silently down the hall, the carpet muffling her footsteps.In the living room, Marie stiffens at the faint noise of the door opening. Her ears perk up, and her sharp gaze darts to Nolan, who is seated a few feet away from her on the couch, his expression unreadable. Instinct takes over. She rises swiftly and moves toward him, feigning vulnerability as she practically throws herself onto the couch beside him.Her hands claw at his arm, and she presses herself close, her voice shaking. "Nolan,
Chapter 125: A Plea for the PastThe door latched shut behind Elena and, with that, everything seemed to come to rest in a pool of discomfort. Nolan stood by the window and watched her figure descend the street. The strain didn't let go of his shoulders even after she turned and vanished out of his line of vision into quiet suburban anonymity.He turned around, ready to plunge into something—anything—that would take his mind off the growing unease in the house. But he couldn't escape it. Marie was leaning against the counter, her arms folded across her chest, standing in the kitchen with an unreadable expression on her face."Nolan," she said softly, breaking the silence. The edge was off her voice, and for a moment, he almost didn't recognize it.He stiffened, already sensing the direction this conversation might take. "What is it, Marie?" he asked, his tone curt as he walked past her toward the dining table."I want to talk," she replied, stepping away from the counter.Nolan sighed
Chapter 124As Nolan's mother and sister leave, Nolan and Elena are left standing in the living room, looking at each other in shock."Well, that was fun," Elena says sarcastically, breaking the silence.Nolan shakes his head. "I'm so sorry, Elena. I had no idea they were going to do that."Elena takes a step closer to him. "It's not your fault, Nolan. We'll figure this out together."Nolan nods, feeling a surge of gratitude towards Elena. "We will. I promise."As they hug, Nolan can't help but feel a sense of unease. He knows that his family is not going to give up easily, and he's worried about what they might do next.But for now, he's just grateful to have Elena by his side."What do you say we order some pizza and try to forget about this for a while?" Nolan suggests.Elena smiles. "Sounds like a plan to me."As they sit down on the couch, Nolan can't help but feel a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they can make this work.But as they're waiting for the pizza to arrive, Nolan's