Chapter FortyEliana's Pov The engagement party was in three days. My mother wasn't still strong enough to wake up. I have been operating on coffee for the past three days, and someone could still act like the world is centered around him?I felt bad for the things I said. I regret them, but just for the best, I had to say them. I just couldn't pretend I was happy with him while my mother was in between life and death. I just couldn't pretend. He went behind my back to hurt my mother. It was his fault she was in this condition. I wish I could ignore it, but every time I looked at him, that's all I could see.Tiana placed a hand on my shoulder in an attempt to calm me down but my anger was already at its tipping point."What is going on here?" I gritted out. Oliver pointed at Noah. "This asshole punched me for no reason." Noah's eyes were filled with rage. He stormed to where Oliver was crouched, pulling his collar and was about to deliver another blow but I got between them."Noah
Chapter Forty-oneEliana's Pov We refused to do a funeral for Sherry. There was no use mourning someone who wanted me dead. Although it wasn't my decision, it was Tiana's. She was so filled with rage, the only time she actually calmed down was when I assured her I was fine.I was not fine, but I couldn't bear to see them worry about me.We left the hospital immediately they pronounced her dead.Oliver had to go to work, so it was just Tiana and Noah and I. I looked at him, seated on the couch, while Tiana sat with me, stroking my hair. He had not said a word since he found me screaming after the shock of my mother passing away wore out, and he rushed to my side, successfully calming me down.It would have been better if he had just gone back to the way he was before. I felt guilty for everything, but there was no space to apologise. I guess this is how we were going to be now.Stupid can't begin to describe how I felt. I let my emotions and my need to cloud my sense of judgement. Noah
Chapter Forty-twoEliana's Pov The cat finally left, not after I cleared my throat frequently. My throat now hurts, but at least she's gone. Noah's expression returned to what he had when we first got into this hall. Broody, uninterested, handsome. We had the first dance of the night and it felt empty,forced. But hopefully the guests didn't notice.The feel of his hand on my waist reminded me of how much he had over me, how much I wanted to fix things. I called his name softly. He didn't seem like he heard, but the hand on my waist turned rigid. "Yes?" He answered without looking at me.I already felt discouraged. It was stupid of me to make him feel worthless then come back to beg him. It was just stupid."Noah…" I called again, this time a bit louder. He turned his face towards mine, his eyes blazing like balls of blue fire. He was angry at me and I knew that.I looked away, feeling overwhelmed under his stare. "Eliana is there something I can help you with?" He asked, his words
Chapter Forty threeEliana's Pov Noah led her to a table at the edge of the hall and they chatted animatedly. Well she did, Noah just paid utmost attention to everything she was saying. She is stunning. They obviously fit each other. Unlike me with my fleshy body, she had defined curves, all in moderate sizes. She was the type of woman that turned heads wherever she went, just like she did this night.It was time for the second dance of the night and Bella and Anna already had dancing partners. Tiana was across the hallway dancing with some next in line CEO.Mia and Val were dancing too, beautifully so. I didn't even notice them come in.I was moping, trying to act like I couldn't see Noah lead Lillian to the dance floor. In my chest I felt a dull pain. It was familiar, but It doesn't happen frequently. It felt like jealousy. I was jealous of Lillian, and I just knew she existed few minutes ago. I was jealous of the way they swayed together, the way he looked at her like she was t
Chapter Forty FourEliana's Pov Lillian and Noah went to sleep at three am. Lillian slept in the guest room, I knew that because I heard only one pair of footsteps go in the direction of Noah's room and the sound of door slamming down the hall.I made sure not to sleep before they did, the sounds of their laughter echoing from the living room.Noah seemed genuinely happy. I have not heard him laugh like that in ages. I focused on my sketch, adding more strokes to show the curve of the dress. I was focused on this because Noah promised to help me with my business, but now that he and I weren't cool anymore, I didn't think so.I sighed, placing my head on my pillow. I could sleep now that I knew they were at either part of the house but for some reason I couldn't stop tossing and turning on my bed.Tiana went home with the CEO. It wasn't my place to say anything. She was an adult so it was none of my business. But my mind kept swirling. Did Noah mean it when he said he wished to have
Chapter Forty fiveEliana's PovThe breakfast incident marked the official beginning of a war that I already lost.I got a call from Mia a minute ago, asking if we were all up for dinner at her place. It was her way of keeping tabs on Lillian, and I was more than happy to comply. I walked downstairs, wanting to stretch my legs and spy on Noah and Lillian. They were at the indoor bar, Noah on the chair and Lillian on the desk, sitting opposite of him wearing a sheer top with no bra, her nipples straining through the thin material of the top.She was telling him something about work and he sat, listening attentively.I walked to the bar, their attention turning to me. Noah's face because expressionless and Lillian smiled like a chesire cat."Lillian," I started, taking a sip of Noah's drink. The liquid burnt a path down my throat and I had to restrain from letting the effect show as I looked Lillian in the eye."So how is the hotel hunt going?" I asked, not wasting my time in going st
Chapter Forty SixNoah's PovSo much can happen in the span of twenty four hours.There I was, getting tortured by Eliana's innocent beauty as she decended the stairs, the orange dress fitting her like a second skin, making her look angelic. She was the sun, melting my heart and I almost swept her off her feet and carried her into my room.Keyword, almost.I was nothing more than a toy to her. I didn't mean all those things I said. Hell, I was too far gone to be saved. I regretted them the minute it left my lips but I just wanted her to feel a bit of what her words made me feel.Then Lillian came back. A pleasant surprise in more ways than one.First, she was getting to Eliana and for the first time, I saw her jealous. I felt a bit better but Lillian coming back didn't sit well with me.Lillian was my first, in many ways. We were young and wild. She liked the thrill of being caught. She liked the attention men gave her, she liked the popularity, she liked it all. Then she liked me. It
Chapter Forty SevenEliana's PovOliver came back after a minute, and he laid beside me on the bed, . here knowing this was the only place Noah won't think of looking if he cared enough to. He was probably busy sticking himself into Lillian.Not like I care anyway. That is an obvious lie. I care, too too much. For a minute I thought I wasn't the only one feeling these things, but it is painfully clear that I was just a distraction for him till the woman he loved came back. The woman he has always loved. He never let go of that beaded bracelet even though they already ended things long ago.That should have been the first sign but I kept ignoring it till it wasn't possible to ignore. Lillian would be the perfect wife. She was beautiful, successful and rich. Everything I wasn't. And she fitted into this life. Into his life and his heart. Where I wished to be but can never be.There was never space for me.It wasn't supposed to hurt that much seeing them like that, but it did. And I bawl