Chapter 2

Noelle had an incomplete business contract discussion with a client yesterday. The client had to leave abruptly, so they needed to continue their discussion today.

Two dolled-up women walked over from not far away. One said, "I heard that Xyla got into a car accident while shopping yesterday. She had a minor injury on her forehead, but Mr. Lowe spent all afternoon accompanying her for a full body check-up! He treats her so well!"

"Yeah! I don't know where Xyla got all her luck from," replied the other.

The two were wives of wealthy families and donned stylish outfits. They gossiped about yesterday's scandal while walking by.

Noelle's mind went blank as the pair's words stabbed slowly but deeply into her heart.

As she was unloved in her marriage, she had to face her fears and pains alone.

Meanwhile, Quentin kept Xyla company and cared for her even though she only had a mild injury.

Tears welled in Noelle's eyes as she had never experienced such sorrow.

The thick, overwhelming pain swirled in her chest. It took her a long time to steady her breathing. After that, she dried her eyes and headed for the cafe.

Her client was the highest executive of Dinoways Corporation. His name was John Xenos. He was in his early 40s, had dashing good looks, and carried himself gracefully.

John had an 8.6 thousand square foot villa in the retreat and was ready to renovate it. He browsed through countless design companies' blueprints but preferred Noelle's.

Upon seeing Noelle, he handed his half-read document to his secretary and spoke in concern. "I heard a landslide happened along the road into the city yesterday. You weren't involved in the incident, were you?"

"Nope." Noelle chuckled but sighed deep down. She wanted to say she nearly died in that incident, but she couldn't talk about her fears and sadness to a stranger.

"That's good to hear." John motioned for his secretary to bring over the contract. "All we need is your signature here. You'll receive a transfer of the payment to your bank in a bit."

Noelle didn't conceal her joy. Her eyes scrunched up as she beamed. "Thanks, Mr. Xenos."

John fell into a brief but stunned daze while staring at her youthful and beguiling face. "You're welcome."

John's signature was already on two separate copies of the contract. After Noelle signed them both as well, she handed one copy to John and kept her copy in her bag.

When she was about to leave, John also had to go elsewhere. So, the two exited the private room together.

That was when a group of people approached them.

The leader was a handsome, suave man with an elegant bearing as he strolled over.

Noelle fell into a trance for a split second when she saw him.

It was like when she first met Quentin back when she was 15. She became enthralled with Quentin throughout her youth. Little did she know she'd end up loving the wrong person.

"Watch out!" cried a waiter who was serving some coffee.

Noelle was so distracted that she almost bumped into the waiter. Fortunately, John held her in place.

Quentin turned when he heard the commotion. Soon enough, Noelle's familiar figure with another man's hand on her waist came into view. A dark, sullen expression crept onto his handsome face.

John was a gentleman. He prevented Noelle from falling over by supporting her waist and retracted his hand once the ordeal ended.

Even so, Quentin couldn't tolerate it. Tension filled the air around him as he marched to a secluded spot, picked up his phone, and called Noelle.

Noelle answered the call and heard his gloomy voice.

He snapped, "Aren't you aware you should keep your distance from other men when outside?"

Noelle's eyes widened. She soon whipped her head around and made eye contact with Quentin, who was far away. She took in his stern, dark expression and felt her heart wither from merely staring at him.

With a sarcastic tone, she refuted, "I should be asking you that, Mr. Lowe!"

Quentin tensed.

Noelle's striking eyes were crystal clear but glowered at him with sarcastic irony. After she said that, she hung up the call and left.

A thunderous scowl shrouded Quentin's face. He couldn't believe she'd challenge him like that. It had never happened before.

His mood remained foul the entire afternoon. Even his client needed to be careful when chatting with him.

…

Soon enough, it was nighttime.

Noelle was in a good mood when she headed back. She had successfully settled the contract. Its profits could cover the down payment for a big apartment with a bedroom, a bathroom, and a living room in Dragfort City.

She had drunk some alcohol, so her round face turned a slight pinkish shade. Upon entering the house, she kicked off her shoes and hummed. She wanted to go upstairs.

That was when she noticed the person on the couch. She blinked innocently at him while exclaiming, "Oh? You're home! Why aren't you keeping your precious little Xy company if you adore her so much?"

Noelle wouldn't have dared utter such words if she weren't drunk.

She continued, "What if she hits her head again? Won't you have to spend another two hours accompanying her through a full body check-up again? Won't you be like, 'Oh, my crybaby, Xy! My poor little crybaby, Xy! My heart aches for you!'"

Noelle's pretty face distorted theatrically as she spoke.

"Just how much did you drink?" Quentin kept a calm composure while staring at her with beady eyes. His presence was suffocatingly domineering.

Noelle was a little drunk, but she could still think clearly. She raised three fingers as a mischievous grin appeared on her face. Her eyes lit up. "Three—oh wait, no! It was two glasses!"

She folded one finger down. Her slim fingers swayed before Quentin like grass stalks blowing in the wind. Her gleaming, scrunched-up eyes were adorable yet serious.

Quentin had never seen Noelle like this before.

She was always cautious and catered well to Quentin in their three years of marriage. Due to that, she was too afraid to utter a word if he were in a foul mood. In fact, she wouldn't even have dared to behave this boldly.

Quentin grabbed her fingers and pulled her forward.

Noelle wasn't prepared for such an attack, so she yelped as she nearly fell over.

Quentin grabbed her hand and used it to hold the pen he had readied on the coffee table earlier. On a blank A4 sheet of paper, he forced her to scribble the messy words, "I, Noelle Xanthos, am willing to give up my job. I'll stay at home as Mrs. Lowe to look after my husband and children—"

Quentin froze upon seeing that last sentence. That brief moment was enough for Noelle to break free.

Noelle shook her hand, which ached from Quentin's tight grip. She murmured, "You barbaric, rotten shithead! You're so fucking inconsiderate!"

That rendered Quentin speechless.

Meanwhile, Noelle was so furious she kept cussing him out as she turned to go upstairs.

She left Quentin behind. It was unclear whether he was upset from his neutral expression. That said, his breathing became heavy.

…

Noelle awoke early the next day and planned to visit John's villa for on-site measurements.

Not remembering what happened last night, she chose a casual outfit and rushed downstairs.

A well-dressed Quentin stood in the living room, yet Noelle walked past him as if he didn't exist. He had been waiting for breakfast. At that moment, he frowned and asked, "Aren't you preparing breakfast?"

Noelle wore a tight-fitting white T-shirt and low-rise jeans. She was about to put on a pair of sports shoes. The entire outfit made her look youthful and pretty.

She didn't bother looking at him once while speaking calmly. "I've gotta go to work. I don't have time to prepare food for you. You should get something to eat at the nearby hotel's restaurant. Don't you have an annual pass there?"

Noelle was already at the door by then. She bent down to grab her shoes. The smooth skin of her waist peeked out from beneath the hem of her shirt. After putting on her footwear, she opened the door and headed out.

Quentin's brows twisted into a tight frown. Even his breathing intensified. He couldn't believe Noelle had the nerve to talk to him like that.

His expression darkened when he caught a glimpse of her waist again. "Get back here!"

He seethed in his mind while thinking, "Is Noelle dressing like that to go to work or seduce others?"

To his dismay, Noelle had long driven away.

….

Week after week, Noelle immersed herself in work and no longer saw Quentin.

Yvette Lowe, Quentin's younger cousin, said he went to Merania to settle an issue with a project.

Quentin never told Noelle where he was going.

Most of the time, Noelle wouldn't bother asking him, either. However, she couldn't help feeling shocked and slightly concerned just then. She wondered if Quentin would get scammed while in Merania.

Unease stirred in her as she recalled the terrifying information about Merania online. She ultimately wanted him to be safe because she had once loved him.

Noelle couldn't sleep that night. She sent Quentin a WhatsApp text and expressed her hopes that he was okay.