NatalieI just gave Noah a confession of love.And now I wonder if it was a mistake.Noah watches me with curiosity in his gaze and something resembling an evil smile on his lips. It's mischievous and definitely up to no good. I shudder in my seat, wondering what he is thinking. "Do you have anyone who can watch Emma today?" Noah asks without breaking eye contact. "Emma doesn't need more bonding with me, but I want to know more about Natalie."My lips curl into a shy smile. "Well, I could ask the neighbors if you're interested in taking me out for a date.""Would you like that?" His eyes are intense.A sudden wave of shyness crashes over me. "Uhh..." I look at Noah, this beautiful man, and even though I love him... I get nervous. "You've told me exactly how you feel, but you haven't revealed what you want from me yet, Natalie," Noah takes our plates to the sink and continues talking. "I want to know your intentions."Even though I know what I want, I can't say it. It would be too em
NatalieNoah is driving us down the fast lane. I'm sitting in the front seat, afraid of the smile he keeps throwing my way. Things seem a little too good to be true, and Noah has a way of disarming me. A smile is all it takes for me to feel like a toothless tiger.My heart wants Noah so severely, but I'm hit with insecurities whenever I turn his way. Sure, we have a beautiful daughter together, but Noah is charming, gorgeous, and wealthy, and I can't stop asking myself why he would pick me when he could have anyone.With shaking fingers, I drink from the cola placed between us. Noah doesn't even try not to smile at my nerves."Are you afraid of fast cars?" Noah asks curiously. "Your face has been pale since we left your apartment.""Oh, it's not the speed."He keeps the smile on his face. "It's not?""No.""Mind enlightening me then?"I take a deep breath, changing the subject. "Where are we going anyway?"Hopefully, we will arrive wherever he is taking me shortly. I wish to busy mys
NoahThe world feels less grey and more colorful whenever I'm with Natalie, but everything is falling into pieces this morning.She is no longer my sunshine.A few days ago, I enjoyed an entire day spent with Natalie. We laughed and ate Japanese food while we bonded. The conversation started light but turned darker the more questions I asked about her.Natalie has a rocky relationship with her dad, and her mother walked out on her earlier in her life. She looked so sad while telling me that. My heart was crying, and every part of me wanted to hug her. I had to remind myself to take it easy.And for a good reason.Yesterday, I didn't know if Emma was my daughter. Now the paternity test has come back—Emma isn't mine.I punch the wall so hard that my fists throb in pain. I'm angry and confused about why Natalie would lie to me. What other untruths has she told me? Fuck. I feel so stupid.My stupid brain was falling in love with Natalie while she was playing me like a deck of cards. It hu
NatalieI open the door late afternoon. Someone banged hard on it, and outside, I find Noah peering down at me. At first, I smile, but my happiness fades to grey when I see the waging war inside his eyes.Something is wrong."Why did you lie to me, Natalie?" Noah asks. He sounds hurt and confused enough to make unease fill my chest.I take a step back from the door. Noah is tall and intimidating. Usually, I wouldn't fear him, but we aren't together, and his expression is shrouded in inner rage.I should keep my distance. "W-what are you talking about?""The paternity test came back negative." Noah glares at me. There are tears in the corner of his eyes. "Emma is not my daughter."I stare right back at him. "Are you joking?"For the first time in my life, Noah appears pissed off. I've never seen him lose his temper, but he clenches his fists now and takes a deep breath as if holding himself back."Joking?" Noah laughs, but it isn't pleasant. "Why would I joke about something like this?
NatalieOne Year LaterTiming is everything. After I declared that Noah and I were done and over, Noah found out the truth. His mother, Cynthia, had bribed the doctor into giving him a false paternity test answer.Emma is one-hundred percent his daughter.But are we together? No. I decided that Noah and I together would lead to a toxic relationship. I expected too much from him, and it felt like he was forcing himself to like me for Emma's sake.Today I'm happily engaged to Alaric Caspen, the lawyer I dated before Noah whisked me away. I'm happy with him, content. He makes me feel safe. I'm pregnant again, and we are soon getting married.But he isn't Noah.I will never admit it to anyone other than myself, but Noah isn't someone I will forget. Noah is the father of my child, of whom we have shared custody over. He is a hurricane that swept into my life and changed me for the better. He is also the person I sometimes look at and think, "What if he never was in that accident?"But it
NatalieI pace my living room, unable to relax with the cramps wracking my body. I'm in tremendous pain. It feels like my entire nether regions are pulsating, but not in a good way.I'm also lightheaded and dizzy, and my body is freezing even though I'm sweating like I'm running a fever.Is this normal?I don't know, so I called Linnea.She is on her way here, and she can't come quickly enough. I don't know what I'm supposed to do. I told her how I was feeling over the phone, and she thought I should go to the hospital.Linnea said, "I think you're having a miscarriage," which broke my heart. I'm far gone in the pregnancy, and I should probably call an ambulance, but I can't breathe! I want another baby, and now I'm in tears because Alaric isn't picking up his damn phone.Why isn't my soon-to-be husband answering?!He is never there when I need him! I left a voice message, but the fucker probably won't call me back. Alaric is very passionate about his job. I love that about him, his i
NatalieI'm sitting inside Noah's car with a blanket wrapped around me as we drive past the city light. My heart feels heavy, like it's been replaced with a rock that's now weighing me down. "I will probably still marry Alaric, but... He better apologize for not being here, or do you think I'm silly for being angry over this?" I sigh while looking out through the window. "I can't tell anymore..."Noah glances at me briefly, then focuses on the road again. His hand is on the stick, veiny and tanned with a watch on it. I sometimes suspect I have a hand fetish when it comes to Noah. "No, I don't think you're being silly. You went through something traumatic and lost the baby that you wanted. I also don't think anything that awakens emotions should just be brushed aside. You're hurting, and your husband should be here for you, Natalie."I'm fighting tears again. Noah is so gentle when he speaks, and somehow, it starts to feel okay to cry in his presence. It removes the lead from my stom
NatalieI open up a beer on the couch because fuck it. I'm not perfect, and I plan to drink to my sorrows. Bridgerton is playing on low volume, and I turn my head when I hear a groaning Noah coming out from the bathroom."The water turned cold right when I was washing my hair! I'm never trusting your shower again!"I snort at him. "I guess billionaires aren't faced with such peasant problems, huh?"He chuckles and sits on the same couch on the opposite side. There are two couches in our living room in front of the TV and two chairs, yet he chooses to sit with me. Noah is only trying to be friendly, right?"Everything is perfect in my new mansion... The water is warm, and the beer is always cold."Noah is drying his wet hair, and I struggle to keep my eyes locked on the TV without twitching. But the son of a gun, why does he have to be shirtless?!Oh boy.I swallow more beer and hold a cold one out for Noah without looking at him. The fictional men on the screen are much easier to sto