Chapter 3

Once Stephen was gone, Noelle resumed her search for part-time work online.

She only had one month left, and she wasn't going to waste it waiting for Stephen to come home every day. She also wanted to pay him the equivalent of all those years' rent before she left. Then they'd finally be even.

She soon found a tutoring job. She'd spend two hours every evening tutoring a student at their home, earning 2,000 dollars in two weeks.

With the money she'd saved from other part-time jobs over the years, she'd have enough to cover the rent.

Noelle was about to leave when Stephen called to her from the stairs.

"Where are you going?"

"I got a part-time job. If I don't leave now, I'll be late."

Stephen leaned against the stair railing, looking amused.

"Are you that desperate for money? Doesn't my mom already pay you to look after me and keep tabs on me? Oh, right. My birthday's coming up. Don't tell me you're working this hard just to buy me a present."

He wasn't wrong about the present. It would be her way of saying goodbye.

Stephen didn't notice the change in her. He chuckled and kept teasing her.

"And don't go wrapping yourself up in a gift box like something out of a TV show. I'm not marrying you."

Every year, Noelle had gone out of her way to find out what Stephen was into so she could get him a birthday present he'd like.

Maybe his friends just liked making a fool of her. They always found some ridiculous way to trick her.

For his 19th birthday, they'd told her Stephen liked trying new things, especially tea made with morning dew.

Noelle had believed them. The night before his birthday, she'd gone up a mountain and pitched a tent, only to end up covered in bug bites.

Stephen had poured the dew she'd worked so hard to collect straight into the toilet.

"Noelle, that water hasn't even been purified. It's disgusting."

For his 20th birthday, they'd told her Stephen had gotten into Rolex watches.

She'd worked three jobs and even borrowed money from her classmates. Eventually, she'd scraped together enough to buy the watch she thought would suit him.

It was the most expensive watch she could afford, but he'd barely glanced at it before knocking it aside.

"That model's everywhere. Only you would think it's something special. I like limited editions."

It was the same story every year. But this year, Noelle was sure she'd finally give Stephen the birthday present he wanted most.

"Don't worry. I won't do anything stupid again."

Noelle closed the door behind her and walked away.

Two subway transfers later, she arrived at the student's house. After a two-hour trial lesson, she signed a two-week tutoring contract with the student's parents.

But as she was saying goodbye, she ran into the last person she ever wanted to see.

Rachel.

Rachel gave her a once-over, making no effort to hide her contempt.

"You're my sister's new tutor? Noelle, you spent years living in Stephen's mansion, and you're still as low-class as ever. I can barely stand being near you."

Noelle wanted to quit on the spot when she realized Rachel's younger sister was her student. But breaking the contract would mean paying double the penalty, so she unclenched her fist.

Ignoring Rachel's taunts, she politely said goodbye to the Thayers and left.

Rachel followed her outside, her chin raised in disdain.

"You haven't heard, have you? My dad's about to go into business with the Sedgwicks. Stephen's mom really likes me. She even wants me as her daughter-in-law.

"Thanks for looking after Stephen while I spent the last three years studying abroad. But I'm back now, so you'd better stay away from him. Otherwise, don't expect me to play nice."

No wonder Stephen had been spending time with Rachel. Their families were already planning for them to get married.

Noelle managed a strained smile.

There was a time when she would've fought Rachel over Stephen without backing down. But she'd already decided to leave, so what was the point of fighting over him now?

Noelle met Rachel's gaze calmly.

"Okay."