Chapter Four
The tension in the room was palpable, like a charged magnet ready to attract mayhem. Leo’s eyes narrowed as his mother shifted uncomfortably in her seat, while Isabella wore an expression that could curdle milk. And then, like a light switch being flicked, the atmosphere changed. I clasped to Noah’s arm, stared Leo down with a defiant glint in your eye. It was as if a new energy had taken hold of me, making me bold and unafraid to speak my mind. “I am not the type that explain and talk too much but I think I owe the family explanation, I caught Isabella and Leo two times, they were kissing each other and the other at our bridal suite” Their mouths were wide open. “I tried forgiving him because I don't want to turn the wedding down, how do I go around and tell people that the event is not going to come up, I invited celebrities and all,I keep on forgiving him, it's high time, I don't want to keep loving someone who doesn't value or respect me, I have broke the engagement ring already” “Really? So you stopped dating him to date his brother?” Isabella added “Shut up, she's needed in the family, whoever she dates isn't your concern, you went to date your sister's boyfriend, that's cruel and unfair, you betrayed your sister, and for you Leo, I am sure you would regret this either now or later, I have nothing to say to this, you are a disgrace” This is the first time I will be hearing such a thing from her, regardless of her ruggedness, she has a good heart. Again, what would she think of me when she eventually knows that we two are not both In love? She would think I came to play a game with her son's heart, but regardless I just want revenge on Leo and my sister. “So what is now happening between you and my brother” “What is your concern about it? What do you have to do with it? How's that your business, I have leave you to her, you can actually decide to do whatever you want with her, I do not care anymore, I will announce to everyone that we are no longer in a relationship, and the wedding celebration of you and I will not be commencing anymore, if anyone wants to tag me as anything, they are free to” They all watched me as I spoke boldly. “Yeah, I don't have a business with you, Noah, what are you doing with her” “Well, Leo, I heard that you are going out with her sister, and I want you to choose now between her or her step sister” “Why would he choose her over me?” Isabella asked. “Well, I am choosing Isabella, I'll choose her again and again, I have found peace with her, so there's nothing anything could do with her” “And I think that have answered your question, but I don't even know why you have to hurt her by making all the wedding preparation, you made her go through a lot of stress, when you know you would be doing this, then why do you have to, because you are my brother, I'll have to look over it, if it was someone else who did that, I might not forgive the person, but Leo, I'll take care of the situation” The room was a whirlwind of emotions, a turbulent sea of shock and betrayal. The revelations I had dropped were like a bomb, exploding with devastating force. Everyone sat there, dumbstruck by the drama unfolding before them. Leo, stunned by Noah’s choice and his harsh words, was visibly shaken. Isabella’s bravado began to waver as her superiority crumbled. Meanwhile I stood tall and defiant in the eye of the storm, ready to weather whatever came your way. The air was thick with tension as the family struggled to process what had just transpired. “Well, we are going now, you can enjoy and chill, don't worry something like this will be happening soon again, so enjoy” I said and held Noah's hand. As we left, everyone was staring at us. ***** “How are you going to rate me?” Noah said while untying his shoe lace. “99% thank you for today, I really appreciate” I replied while getting off my heels, “I am tired” “I understand, but I never believed my brother could do that, I am more than shocked, we grew up together, he's such an adorable boy, and to me he's such a little boy, I am sorry that he hurt you” “It's fine” I said as I rested my back on the chair I sat down I could not even believe I will now start living with my ex-fiancé brother all because I want him to be pained. Noah's house is undoubtedly adorable, but I wonder if I would ever feel comfortable there. I don't know why he brought the idea of contract marriage all just because he wants to help me, just to pretend to be in love with me for a night. “Are you thinking about anything?” He asked. “No, your house is very comfortable, nice and welcoming” “Thank you” He called out “Anna” After a minute a lady entered. “Good Day Sir” “Anna, this is Rachel, and Rachel, this is Anna, she will be your personal maid in this house, you can ask her what you don't understand, she can go on errands for you, she knows what to do” “Welcome Miss. Rachel” “Thank you Miss. Anna, nice to meet you” “My pleasure to meet a well-known Model, I never believed I could meet you” I smiled, “Thank you” “When we are done discussing, you can come around to take her to her room, just go and prepare a room, make sure it's nice” “Alright, I'll do that sir, see you soon, Miss Rachel” She said as she waved her hands. I waved my hands too. “What do you want to discuss?” “I just think I need us to just gist, probably you have something to tell me, I just felt you are not free enough here” “You shouldn't expect me to be very free, it's not easy” “I understand and I am sure very well you will be heal and fine” As I talked with Noah, I could feel his kindness and sincerity shining through. His words were like a warm blanket, enveloping me in comfort and support. Yet, a part of me remained cautious, wary of trusting someone so quickly after the betrayal I’d suffered. Anna’s presence was a gentle reminder that this new life, this house, was now my reality. The adjustment would not be easy, but Noah’s reassuring smile gave you a sense of hope. “I know it's not easy for you, Rachel,” Noah said, his eyes meeting mine. “I don't know what to feel right now, happy or sad? I am even thinking of how to announce the call off party, the call off wedding celebration, I don't know, I am tired and I think facing this contract marriage, I don't know why I signed it at first, I was so very serious about the revenge that I want to mess up my life” Noah moved closer to me,, he sat beside mw, and then held my hand “I am sure you wouldn't regret this Rachel, you will never regret stepping in here, I will never allow anyone hurt you not even my brother, be comfortable, be fine, as I am not here to hurt you” “How do I trust you when it involves your brother? It's your brother, you can't leave your brother and fight for me, you did that earlier today because it was all acting, I know you might go and tell them later that it was only acting and that we both are pretending, they are your family and at the end, I will be the one to suffer all these” “I understand your plight but I want you to understand that my brother could not even hurt a fly, he's not going to do something that will hurt you, you are safe here Rachel” “I won't argue further, I accepted the term myself…” “Rachel, I don't want it to be like I am forcing you, please” “Don't worry, let's leave that, I want to go and meet Anna, so she can show me my room, I need to shower, and moreover I need to go to my house tomorrow to take some of my clothes, am I permitted to go please” “Of course, you are permitted to go, I am not holding you, I want you to be free” “If you say so” “If you want to take it this night, I can drive you to your house, your safety is my priority” “I need something to change to” “Alright, do you care if we should go and get some clothes out there, or you go to your house? It's late already, why not put on my cloth, I have a good clothes that you had would be comfortable putting on” “Bring it, let me see it then”Chapter FiveNoah stood up and gestured towards his bedroom. "I’ll be back in a flash.” He disappeared through the door, leaving me to mull over the kind of person he was—his empathy and consideration were almost disarming, and I couldn't deny that there was a sense of security in his presence.Moments later, he returned with a bundle of clothes in his arms. "Here are some of my clean shirts and tracksuit bottoms. They might be a bit big on you, but they should do the trick.”I collected it, but I was moved by his love.The way he talks and everything, is it that he's being nice to me? or he's just nice to everyone this way.“Alright, thank you, I'd go look for Anna”“No, just call her name, she will answer, she works around here not far from my room at all and I kind of trust her, that's why I want her to be your maid, if you are not free with me, make sure you are free with her, she's so nice”“Alright, thank you” I said, I moved closer to his door and I shut his door.“Anna” I call
Chapter Six“Noah, can you please give me a moment?” I request, trying to mask the sudden rise of emotion that threatens to overwhelm you.“Of course,” he replies, his eyes never leaving yours. There’s a moment of stillness as you navigate the sudden intrusion of the outside world into your private sanctuary.The message- ‘Rachel, I see you’re still playing games. Guess you’re not over our breakup yet, huh? Just so you know, I saw you are trying to play games by dating my brother. Don’t you think you’re going a bit too far with your little revenge plan? Or maybe you’re just that desperate for attention. Let’s be honest, we both know you’re not over me.’As I read the message, I was lost and I couldn't control myself. “What are you reading?” Noah asked as he moved closer to me.“Nothing” I said as I cover the screen”“Are you keeping something from me now?”“No, I said No”“Your words may say no, but your body language tells a different story”Noah's gaze narrows, as if he can sense th
Chapter Seven.With the gale of courage at my back, I crossed the threshold of Noah's room, determined to see what was going onAfter several persistent knocks, the door finally swung open."What is going on here?" I demanded, my voice wavering slightly as I took in the sight of Noah in a boxer and singlet while the so-called secretary was wrapped in his towel. My indignation masked the shock that reverberated through my mind.“I thought this is a business discussion but now I know this is a bedroom discussion”Noah was speechless, after so many minutes, the secretary broke the silence, “Mr. Noah, I thought she's your brother's fiance, what's she doing here?”Swallowing hard, I turned your attention back to Noah. "I am going to dinner room now and I expect to see you in less than a minute”I was leaving, when the secretary left the bed she was sitting on to drag me back. “You can just command anyone you feel like because you are a model. Do you know who you are talking to? A CEO and y
Chapter 1Shadows of BetrayalRachеl's pov.I stood in front of thе full-lеngth mirror, admiring the sparkle of my engagement ring. As a modеl, I was usеd to thе spotlight, but this fеlt diffеrеnt. This was pеrsonal—a promisе of a futurе with Leo, thе man I lovеd.Leo walkеd into thе room, his smilе lighting up his facе. "Admiring thе ring again, I sее," hе tеasеd, wrapping his arms around my waist from bеhind.I laughеd, lеaning back into his еmbracе. "I can't help it. It's beautiful. And it means we're gеtting marriеd soon." "Thrее months," hе said, kissing my chееk. "Thrее months until wе say 'I do' in front of еvеryonе wе lovе."My heart swells with happiness. Our familiеs had known еach othеr for yеars, and it felt like everything was finally falling into place. I could almost hear the wedding bеlls.Just thеn, my phonе buzzеd on thе drеssеr, snapping mе out of my daydrеam. It was a mеssagе from Isabella, my stеpsistеr. Wе had nеvеr bееn closе, and her texts always carried an е
Chapter Two My thoughts were a tangled web of suspicion and fear. As I retreated home, I knew in my gut that Isabella was the culprit. She had always been jealous of my relationship with Leo, and her motives were as obvious as her distaste for me.When I got home I remembered that I forgot my files in Leo's house. I tried reaching out to Leo, but his number was not reachable. The file was so important. With each passing minute, my need for the forgotten files grew stronger.I decided to leave my house and I left for Leo's house. I entered and I noticed the room was unlocked, I wondered why he had decided to open his door.“What? What's going on?” My heart sank as I met Leo and Isabella kissing each other passionately.I ran out with fear gripping me, I went to my house, tears streaming down gently.“What have I done to deserve this? What level of betrayal is this?” I said with tears flowing.Some minutes later, my door was opened, it was Leo who entered.He knelt down in front of me,
Chapter Three With the raindrops starting to fall, I couldn't bear to ride his car, so I set off on foot, each step a wet echo of my heartbreak.The raindrops soaked through my clothes, a cold, unwelcome companion as I walked. The world around me was a blur, the heavy rain obscuring my vision as I plodded on my steps slow and heavy with the weight of betrayal.As I was walking slowly, a car then parked beside me, I tried looking up, but everything was blurry.The person came out inside the rain and opened the car, I sat down with my soaked cloth.“I would have taken you home, but you need somewhere to stay right now, you can't go home this way, do you mind dropping you to the nearest hotel”I could recognize the voice, he's Noah, Leo's brother.“How do you know I am here” “Oh! Then, I had a meeting in the hotel, I couldn't wait any longer. I decided to leave when the rain was falling, but how would you go out without taking your phone along? And where's Leo?”I was just speechless
Chapter Seven.With the gale of courage at my back, I crossed the threshold of Noah's room, determined to see what was going onAfter several persistent knocks, the door finally swung open."What is going on here?" I demanded, my voice wavering slightly as I took in the sight of Noah in a boxer and singlet while the so-called secretary was wrapped in his towel. My indignation masked the shock that reverberated through my mind.“I thought this is a business discussion but now I know this is a bedroom discussion”Noah was speechless, after so many minutes, the secretary broke the silence, “Mr. Noah, I thought she's your brother's fiance, what's she doing here?”Swallowing hard, I turned your attention back to Noah. "I am going to dinner room now and I expect to see you in less than a minute”I was leaving, when the secretary left the bed she was sitting on to drag me back. “You can just command anyone you feel like because you are a model. Do you know who you are talking to? A CEO and y
Chapter Six“Noah, can you please give me a moment?” I request, trying to mask the sudden rise of emotion that threatens to overwhelm you.“Of course,” he replies, his eyes never leaving yours. There’s a moment of stillness as you navigate the sudden intrusion of the outside world into your private sanctuary.The message- ‘Rachel, I see you’re still playing games. Guess you’re not over our breakup yet, huh? Just so you know, I saw you are trying to play games by dating my brother. Don’t you think you’re going a bit too far with your little revenge plan? Or maybe you’re just that desperate for attention. Let’s be honest, we both know you’re not over me.’As I read the message, I was lost and I couldn't control myself. “What are you reading?” Noah asked as he moved closer to me.“Nothing” I said as I cover the screen”“Are you keeping something from me now?”“No, I said No”“Your words may say no, but your body language tells a different story”Noah's gaze narrows, as if he can sense th
Chapter FiveNoah stood up and gestured towards his bedroom. "I’ll be back in a flash.” He disappeared through the door, leaving me to mull over the kind of person he was—his empathy and consideration were almost disarming, and I couldn't deny that there was a sense of security in his presence.Moments later, he returned with a bundle of clothes in his arms. "Here are some of my clean shirts and tracksuit bottoms. They might be a bit big on you, but they should do the trick.”I collected it, but I was moved by his love.The way he talks and everything, is it that he's being nice to me? or he's just nice to everyone this way.“Alright, thank you, I'd go look for Anna”“No, just call her name, she will answer, she works around here not far from my room at all and I kind of trust her, that's why I want her to be your maid, if you are not free with me, make sure you are free with her, she's so nice”“Alright, thank you” I said, I moved closer to his door and I shut his door.“Anna” I call
Chapter FourThe tension in the room was palpable, like a charged magnet ready to attract mayhem. Leo’s eyes narrowed as his mother shifted uncomfortably in her seat, while Isabella wore an expression that could curdle milk.And then, like a light switch being flicked, the atmosphere changed. I clasped to Noah’s arm, stared Leo down with a defiant glint in your eye. It was as if a new energy had taken hold of me, making me bold and unafraid to speak my mind.“I am not the type that explain and talk too much but I think I owe the family explanation, I caught Isabella and Leo two times, they were kissing each other and the other at our bridal suite”Their mouths were wide open.“I tried forgiving him because I don't want to turn the wedding down, how do I go around and tell people that the event is not going to come up, I invited celebrities and all,I keep on forgiving him, it's high time, I don't want to keep loving someone who doesn't value or respect me, I have broke the engagement r
Chapter Three With the raindrops starting to fall, I couldn't bear to ride his car, so I set off on foot, each step a wet echo of my heartbreak.The raindrops soaked through my clothes, a cold, unwelcome companion as I walked. The world around me was a blur, the heavy rain obscuring my vision as I plodded on my steps slow and heavy with the weight of betrayal.As I was walking slowly, a car then parked beside me, I tried looking up, but everything was blurry.The person came out inside the rain and opened the car, I sat down with my soaked cloth.“I would have taken you home, but you need somewhere to stay right now, you can't go home this way, do you mind dropping you to the nearest hotel”I could recognize the voice, he's Noah, Leo's brother.“How do you know I am here” “Oh! Then, I had a meeting in the hotel, I couldn't wait any longer. I decided to leave when the rain was falling, but how would you go out without taking your phone along? And where's Leo?”I was just speechless
Chapter Two My thoughts were a tangled web of suspicion and fear. As I retreated home, I knew in my gut that Isabella was the culprit. She had always been jealous of my relationship with Leo, and her motives were as obvious as her distaste for me.When I got home I remembered that I forgot my files in Leo's house. I tried reaching out to Leo, but his number was not reachable. The file was so important. With each passing minute, my need for the forgotten files grew stronger.I decided to leave my house and I left for Leo's house. I entered and I noticed the room was unlocked, I wondered why he had decided to open his door.“What? What's going on?” My heart sank as I met Leo and Isabella kissing each other passionately.I ran out with fear gripping me, I went to my house, tears streaming down gently.“What have I done to deserve this? What level of betrayal is this?” I said with tears flowing.Some minutes later, my door was opened, it was Leo who entered.He knelt down in front of me,
Chapter 1Shadows of BetrayalRachеl's pov.I stood in front of thе full-lеngth mirror, admiring the sparkle of my engagement ring. As a modеl, I was usеd to thе spotlight, but this fеlt diffеrеnt. This was pеrsonal—a promisе of a futurе with Leo, thе man I lovеd.Leo walkеd into thе room, his smilе lighting up his facе. "Admiring thе ring again, I sее," hе tеasеd, wrapping his arms around my waist from bеhind.I laughеd, lеaning back into his еmbracе. "I can't help it. It's beautiful. And it means we're gеtting marriеd soon." "Thrее months," hе said, kissing my chееk. "Thrее months until wе say 'I do' in front of еvеryonе wе lovе."My heart swells with happiness. Our familiеs had known еach othеr for yеars, and it felt like everything was finally falling into place. I could almost hear the wedding bеlls.Just thеn, my phonе buzzеd on thе drеssеr, snapping mе out of my daydrеam. It was a mеssagе from Isabella, my stеpsistеr. Wе had nеvеr bееn closе, and her texts always carried an е